Why Costco Shoppers Tend To Return This Bakery Item

The best foods at Costco justify a trip to the hectic, sometimes overstimulating warehouse, like the food court pizza that tastes so, so delish. We all have our favorite edible Costco items, and it can really put a damper on things when the retailer pulls them out from under us. Such was the case with its bakery muffins, which shoppers previously felt were worthy of the illustrious Kirkland brand name but now disappoint with a smaller size and other insufficiencies that have some members hoppin' mad.

To hear a selection of consumers on Reddit talk about it, Costco's new muffins (which, anecdotally, rolled out to stores gradually over 2025) are just about the worst thing in the world: insultingly small, strangely flavored, dry, skimpy with toppings, and generally lousy. "I'm not renewing my Costco membership over this," one Redditor griped. "They have shot themselves in the foot and just yesterday I noticed the bakery was stacked with these smaller muffins and nobody was touching them." 

On another thread, many folks concurred, complete with colorful language: "Give me back my nice big fluffy muffins where I could choose 2 different packs," said one. "[T]he new muffins have a weird filmy aftertaste to them. I hope it was worth the disappointment Costco." Elsewhere, a frustrated Costco-ite issued a challenge: "I would love for someone to explain to me why the new muffins are better, or even why [they] consider them good at all."

It's worth mentioning that not every single Redditor hated the new muffins. Some appreciated the fact that the treats were smaller, which meant that enjoying a single serving was easier. Others felt that the new muffins' list of ingredients, which included all butter instead of oils, was superior. There's no accounting for taste, so it's hard to objectively state if the muffins are actually a problem or if folks are just resistant to change. If you personally haven't tried the new muffins at the warehouse — which aren't actually that "new" at this point! — take comfort in the fact that, if you hate them, Costco has a very forgiving return policy.

Per its Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, Costco will happily return any items you don't like within 90 days, with scattered exceptions (that wouldn't apply to baked goods!) made for special cases like alcohol or large gemstones. This allows you the opportunity to sample new items and decide whether they've earned a place in your regular rotation. Costco has varying procedures for what it does with returned items, but food that is brought back is tossed.

We love us some muffins, whether they are toasted and buttered for an indulgent snack or eaten cold as an on-the-go breakfast. Costco's controversial muffins pose an opportunity to do some relatively risk-free experimenting as to whether you agree with the online pack. Worst case scenario: Costco gives your money back, and you never touch the offending pastry again.