What Are Australian Tim Tams?

Tim Tams are Australia's most iconic biscuit, produced by Arnott's since 1964. Each biscuit consists of two chocolate malted biscuit layers sandwiching a smooth chocolate cream filling, all enrobed in a thin layer of tempered chocolate. They come in multiple flavors, with the Original dark chocolate variety being the classic that most people mean when they say Tim Tams.

Costco regularly attracts attention for stocking authentic Arnott's Australian Tim Tams rather than the localized version sold in some US grocery chains. The Costco packs are imported directly from Australia, which is why fans specifically search for Costco Australian Tim Tams — they want the genuine Arnott's product, not a local adaptation made under license.

The trend spikes periodically because Costco sells Tim Tams in large multi-packs at a price per biscuit that beats individual retail packets by a substantial margin. When a warehouse member spots them and posts a photo online, searches spike within hours as fellow fans check whether their nearest location has stock.

Australian Tim Tams vs. US Tim Tams: Key Differences

Pepperidge Farm produces a Tim Tam product for the US market under license from Arnott's. While both look similar on the surface, dedicated fans notice consistent and repeatable differences between the two products:

• Chocolate coating: The Arnott's coating is slightly thicker and has a glossier, crisper snap when bitten. The Pepperidge Farm version uses a different chocolate blend that many describe as waxy or muted by comparison.
• Biscuit texture: Arnott's biscuit layers are noticeably crispier and hold their structure better, especially important for the Tim Tam Slam. The US version tends to be softer and collapses more quickly in hot liquid.
• Cream filling: The Arnott's filling is denser and more intensely chocolate-flavored. The US version has a lighter, airier texture that dissolves faster.
• Flavor range: Arnott's produces over 20 varieties including Chewy Caramel, Double Coat, White Choc, Salted Caramel, and Classic Dark. Costco typically stocks the Original and one or two additional flavors in its bulk bundle.
• Packaging: Arnott's packaging is red with the distinctive arrow logo and lists Australia as the country of origin. Pepperidge Farm uses different branding and different color schemes.

For most Australian expats and serious Tim Tam enthusiasts, only the Arnott's version qualifies as a genuine Tim Tam.

How to Find Tim Tams at Your Local Costco

Tim Tams at Costco are a rotating seasonal item, not a permanent shelf fixture. Stock appears and disappears without announcement. Here are the most reliable methods to track them down before they sell out:

1. Search the Costco website first. Go to costco.com and type Tim Tams into the search bar. If they appear in results, you can order online for delivery or check which warehouse locations currently have them in stock for pickup. This is the fastest single step to take before making a trip.
2. Look in the cookie and snack aisle. Inside the warehouse, Tim Tams are typically stocked alongside imported biscuits and cookies. They also appear on seasonal end-cap displays near the store entrance when quantities are high. Check both locations if you don't find them immediately on the standard shelves.
3. Ask at the customer service or membership desk. Staff can check real-time inventory for your specific warehouse using the internal system. Having the Costco item number from a previous purchase or a community post speeds this up considerably.
4. Use the Costco warehouse inventory filter online. The Costco website lets you filter product availability by nearest warehouse location. Enter your zip code and the product name to see what is currently in stock before driving out.
5. Follow Costco deal communities. The r/Costco subreddit and dedicated Facebook Costco deal groups are consistently among the fastest early warning systems when Tim Tams arrive. Members post photos, item numbers, and warehouse locations within hours of spotting them on shelves.
6. Shop early in the week. Costco typically receives major new inventory shipments on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Arriving early in the week maximizes your chance of finding Tim Tams before they sell out, which can happen within a few days of the pallet hitting the floor.

What You Get in the Costco Tim Tams Package

When Costco stocks Australian Tim Tams, the offering is typically a bundled multi-pack designed for warehouse-scale value. While exact configurations vary between seasons and by region, a typical Costco Tim Tams package contains:

• Pack size: Six individual Arnott's packets bundled together with shrink wrap, or a large value box containing approximately 330 to 400 grams of biscuits — roughly 30 to 36 biscuits total depending on the variety and portion size.
• Flavors typically stocked: Original dark chocolate is the most consistently available variety. Chewy Caramel appears frequently as a secondary option. Double Coat shows up occasionally. The bundle sometimes includes two different flavor varieties together in one package.
• Price range: The Costco multi-pack typically runs between $8 and $12 USD depending on your region and current import pricing. Compared to buying individual Arnott's 200g packets at specialty importers or international grocery stores at $5 to $7 each, the Costco pricing represents meaningful savings on a per-biscuit basis.
• Best-by date: Imported Australian biscuits typically carry a best-by date 6 to 12 months from the production date. Check the outer packaging before purchase if you plan to store some packs and eat them over several months.

Tim Tams at Costco always carry Arnott's branding, not Costco's Kirkland Signature label. The product inside is the same Arnott's item sold in Australian supermarkets, simply bundled in warehouse quantities for Costco's format.

How to Do the Tim Tam Slam Step by Step

The Tim Tam Slam is the traditional way Australians eat Tim Tams. It turns the biscuit into a temporary chocolate straw that melts from the inside as you sip a hot drink, producing a molten filling that collapses into a single luxurious bite. Here is how to do it correctly:

1. Brew a hot drink. Coffee, black tea, or hot chocolate all work equally well. The liquid must be hot enough to melt the chocolate filling — aim for at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). A freshly brewed cup works; reheated or lukewarm drinks do not provide enough heat to work reliably.
2. Bite off one corner of the Tim Tam diagonally. Take a small bite from one corner of the biscuit, removing approximately 5mm. The bite should break through the chocolate coating and expose the cream filling channel inside the biscuit. Do not bite off too much or the biscuit will collapse too quickly.
3. Bite off the diagonally opposite corner. Bite the corner kitty-corner from the first bite — not the adjacent corner, but the corner diagonally across. You have now created an open channel running diagonally through the length of the biscuit.
4. Submerge one bitten corner in your drink. Place just the bitten corner into the hot liquid. Do not dunk the whole biscuit or it will dissolve before you can complete the slam. Only the tip should touch the liquid.
5. Sip through the biscuit like a straw. Draw the hot liquid up through the diagonal channel. You will feel heat traveling through the biscuit and the filling will begin to melt inside. This takes 3 to 5 seconds of steady sipping.
6. Eat the biscuit the instant it goes soft. The moment the biscuit feels noticeably soft and heavy — typically 3 to 5 seconds of sipping — pull it from your drink and eat it in a single bite. The chocolate filling inside will be fully melted and creamy, and the biscuit layers will begin to dissolve on your tongue.

Timing is the only genuine technical challenge. The window between perfectly melted and fully collapsed into your drink is approximately 2 seconds. Most people get it right on the second or third attempt.

How to Store Tim Tams After Opening

Tim Tams are sensitive to both heat and humidity. Poor storage causes the chocolate coating to bloom — turning white and chalky — or causes the biscuit layers to absorb moisture and go soft. Follow these steps to keep your Costco multi-pack fresh:

• Store in a cool, dry place. The ideal storage temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 21 degrees Celsius). A pantry or kitchen cupboard away from the stove, oven, or direct sunlight works well. Do not store them on top of the refrigerator, which generates heat from the compressor.
• Reseal opened packets immediately. Individual Arnott's packets do not have resealable closures. After opening, fold the foil inner liner back over the remaining biscuits and secure with a binder clip, or transfer the remaining biscuits to an airtight container.
• Avoid refrigerating if possible. The refrigerator causes condensation on the chocolate surface when you take biscuits back out to room temperature, making the coating dull and allowing moisture to soften the biscuit. If your home is very hot in summer, place sealed, airtight packets in the refrigerator and allow the sealed bag to come fully to room temperature before opening to minimize condensation.
• Freeze for long-term storage. Unopened Tim Tam packets from the Costco multi-pack can be frozen for up to three months with no noticeable quality loss. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring fully to room temperature before opening — this two-stage thaw prevents condensation from forming directly on the chocolate coating.
• Consume within two weeks of opening. Once the foil seal is broken, Tim Tams are best consumed within 10 to 14 days. After that point, the biscuit layers gradually absorb ambient humidity and lose the characteristic crunch that makes the Tim Tam Slam possible.

Creative Ways to Use Tim Tams in Recipes

Bought a large Costco pack and want to use Tim Tams beyond straight snacking? These recipes all work well with the Australian Arnott's variety and make good use of larger quantities:

• Cheesecake base: Crush one 200g packet of Tim Tams (approximately 11 biscuits) in a food processor until fine, even crumbs form. Mix with 60g of melted unsalted butter until the mixture holds together when pressed between your fingers. Press evenly into the base of a 20cm (8-inch) springform pan and refrigerate for 30 minutes before adding cheesecake filling. The chocolate biscuit base delivers a richer, more complex flavor than a standard digestive crumb base.
• Ice cream sandwiches: Scoop a generous ball of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream between two Tim Tams and press gently until the ice cream reaches the edges. Place assembled sandwiches on a lined tray and freeze for at least one hour before serving. The chocolate coating stays firm while the ice cream softens to a perfect scoopable texture at the edges.
• Tim Tam milkshake: Add four Tim Tams to a blender with two scoops of good vanilla ice cream and 250ml of full-cream milk. Blend on high for 30 seconds. The biscuit pieces create a thick chocolate-cookie milkshake with visible crumb texture. Pour into a tall glass and rest one whole Tim Tam across the rim as garnish before serving.
• Crushed dessert topping: Break four or five Tim Tams into coarse pieces by hand and scatter them over ice cream sundaes, trifle, or dark chocolate mousse immediately before serving. The chunks add chocolate crunch without overwhelming the base dessert. Do not add them too far in advance or the pieces will absorb moisture from the dessert and lose their texture.
• Hot chocolate stirrer variation: Stir your mug of hot chocolate with a whole Tim Tam for 20 seconds, then eat the partially softened biscuit before it fully dissolves. The chocolate from the outer coating partially melts into the drink and adds a subtle biscuit richness to the hot chocolate.