Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme candy bar was first introduced in 1995 and quickly became one of Hershey’s most popular candy bars. However, in 2020, Hershey’s made the decision to discontinue the Cookies ‘n’ Creme bar in the United States and Canada.
Why was Cookies ‘n’ Creme discontinued?
There are a few potential reasons why Hershey’s decided to stop producing the Cookies ‘n’ Creme candy bar:
- Declining sales – It’s possible that sales of Cookies ‘n’ Creme were falling and it was no longer profitable enough for Hershey’s to continue making it.
- Competition – Other cookie-flavored candies like Oreo chocolate bars may have been eating into Cookies ‘n’ Creme market share.
- Focus on core brands – Hershey’s may have wanted to divert attention and resources to their flagship chocolate bar brands like Hershey’s Milk Chocolate.
- Manufacturing costs – The cookies and creme coating may have become too expensive to justify continuing to produce the bar.
Hershey’s has not provided an official explanation for why they discontinued Cookies ‘n’ Creme. However, declining interest and profitability are likely the primary reasons the company made the decision to pull the plug.
When was Cookies ‘n’ Creme discontinued?
Hershey’s began phasing Cookies ‘n’ Creme out of production in late 2019. By early 2020, the candy bars were no longer being shipped to stores in the United States and Canada. Some stores continued selling remaining stock into early 2020, but most locations ran out by spring of that year.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 may have also played a role in the timing of Hershey’s decision to discontinue the bar. With uncertainty around demand and manufacturing capacity, focusing on core brands became even more of a priority.
Are Cookies ‘n’ Creme bars still available anywhere?
Currently, original Cookies ‘n’ Creme bars are no longer available for purchase anywhere in the United States or Canada. However, you may still find them in some international markets where Hershey’s continues to sell them.
Specific international availability includes:
- The Philippines
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Mexico
So travelers visiting those countries may want to pick up a Cookies ‘n’ Creme bar for nostalgia’s sake. But in the U.S. and Canada, the bars are gone from store shelves for good barring a surprise decision by Hershey’s to relaunch them.
What were the ingredients in Cookies ‘n’ Creme?
Here were the ingredients in a Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme bar before being discontinued:
- Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, PGPR)
- White confectionery chips (sugar, palm kernel and palm oil, nonfat milk powder, soy lecithin, vanilla extract)
- Cookies (wheat flour, sugar, palm oil, cocoa, salt, soy lecithin, chocolate liquor, baking soda, natural flavors)
- Contains 2% or less of: lactose, palm kernel oil, yogurt powder, salt, artificial flavor
So the bar combined Hershey’s standard milk chocolate with crunchy cookie pieces and creamy white confectionery chips to mimic an Oreo cookie experience in candy bar form.
Nutrition Facts for Cookies ‘n’ Creme
Here is the nutrition label information for a 1.55oz Cookies ‘n’ Creme bar:
| Amount per Serving |
|---|
| Calories 220 |
| Calories from Fat 90 |
| Total Fat 10g |
| Saturated Fat 6g |
| Trans Fat 0g |
| Cholesterol 5mg |
| Sodium 85mg |
| Total Carbohydrate 29g |
| Dietary Fiber 1g |
| Sugars 24g |
| Protein 2g |
So while delicious, the Cookies ‘n’ Creme was certainly a sugary, indulgent candy bar rather than a healthy snack. Each bar contained 24g of sugar, which is equivalent to about 6 teaspoons worth.
What products has Hershey’s introduced since discontinuing Cookies ‘n’ Creme?
Despite taking away a fan favorite with Cookies ‘n’ Creme, Hershey’s has introduced several new candy products over the past couple years:
- Hershey’s Gold – A caramelized creme candy bar with salty peanut and pretzel bits
- Kit Kat Duos – Kit Kat bars with mint + chocolate or mocha + chocolate flavored creme fillings
- Reese’s Outrageous – Reese’s peanut butter cups with Hershey’s chocolate cookies and creme filling
- Jolly Rancher Remix Chews – Chewy Jolly Rancher candies in fruit punch and blue raspberry flavors
Hershey’s has also launched new flavors for existing brands like Hershey’s Kisses and Kit Kat over the past few years. Discontinuing Cookies ‘n’ Creme may have freed up resources for Hershey’s to focus on innovation in other areas of their confectionery portfolio.
Will Cookies ‘n’ Creme ever come back?
Hershey’s has not indicated any plans to revive Cookies ‘n’ Creme candy bars at this time. However, it’s possible they could bring it back someday based on consumer demand and if market conditions change.
Some factors that could potentially prompt Hershey’s to re-launch Cookies ‘n’ Creme include:
- Nostalgic interest continuing to build for the “retro” bar
- A drop in manufacturing expenses making production more profitable
- Competitors launching similar cookie-inspired candy bars
Hershey’s decision to bring back other previously discontinued products like Take5 in 2015 gives hope that a Cookies ‘n’ Creme comeback could happen one day. Fans may want to continue letting Hershey’s know there is interest in seeing the popular bar return to store shelves.
How Cookies ‘n’ Creme fans are reacting
Many loyal fans of Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme bar were disappointed and saddened when it was discontinued. Here are some of the common reactions that have been seen:
- Nostalgia for a favorite childhood candy bar
- Regret they didn’t stock up on more of the bars when they had the chance
- Confusion around why Hershey’s would get rid of such a popular product
- Interest in trying to find any remaining bars still on shelves
- Hope that Hershey’s decides to bring the bar back at some point
There are many tributes to Cookies ‘n’ Creme on social media from fans reminiscing about the candy. Many have shared how they missed having the option for a chocolate and cookie combination bar.
Some diehard fans have even created online petitions asking Hershey’s to reconsider discontinuing Cookies ‘n’ Creme. So there continues to be an enthusiastic community who would love to see the bar come back in the future.
Where to find Cookies ‘n’ Creme alternatives
While nothing can exactly replace the original, here are some candy bars you can try that offer a similar cookie and chocolate experience:
- Oreo Chocolate Bar – This bar by Mondelez/Nabisco is the closest direct replacement in terms of flavor profile to Cookies ‘n’ Creme.
- Reese’s Stuffed with Pieces – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups filled with chocolate cookie bits.
- Hershey’s Bars with Reese’s Pieces or Chips Ahoy – Classic Hershey’s chocolate bars with cookie mix-ins.
- Milka Oreo Bar – Cookie pieces in Milka’s smooth European-style milk chocolate.
Grocery stores may also carry generic or store brand cookie and chocolate candy bars that can help satisfy a Cookies ‘n’ Creme craving. And you can always make your own DIY version at home by mixing Oreo crumbs into melted chocolate!
The legacy of Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme
Even though original Cookies ‘n’ Creme bars are gone, the candy still holds a special place in the hearts of many chocolate lovers. It evolved into one of Hershey’s most beloved bars during its 25 year run before being discontinued in 2020.
Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme broke new ground by being one of the first candy bars to mimic cookie flavors instead of other chocolate varieties. Its distinctive taste and textures became a favorite for chocolate and Oreo cookie fans alike.
The bar is remembered both for its unique flavor profile and the nostalgia it invokes of childhood satisfaction from enjoying a tasty candy treat. Cookies ‘n’ Creme was a product of its time that gave people a new way to enjoy two classic treats – chocolate and cookies – in one bite.
Fans of the bar hope that Hershey’s may someday bring back this iconic candy creation. But even if they don’t, the memories – and remaining international bars – will let Cookies ‘n’ Creme live on forever in chocolate history.
Conclusion
Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme candy bar seemed like a permanent fixture that would always be around for chocolate lovers. Its discontinuation in 2020 was met with sadness and nostalgia from fans who grew up enjoying this inventive twist on chocolate and cookies. While the reasons for it going away aren’t entirely clear, changing market dynamics likely reduced demand and profitability to the point where Hershey’s decided it no longer made sense to produce it.
No candy bar can perfectly replace the distinctive crunchy cookie pieces and drizzled creme of Cookies ‘n’ Creme. But there are some decent store-bought alternatives, along with the DIY option of making your own version at home. Perhaps if enough interest remains over time, Hershey’s will find the right opportunity to bring back this beloved bar once again. Until then, fans will have to settle for reminiscing about this delightful candy creation and the joy it brought them over its 25 year reign.