This Wildly Popular Nabisco Cookie Is Gone for Good

Trouble finding the Famous Chocolate Wafer in stores? It's not just you.

By
Ashley Abramson
Ashley Abramson
Ashley Abramson
Ashley is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience. She drinks iced coffee year round, even on frigid Wisconsin days.
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Updated on 04/21/23

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famous chocolate wafer cookie in package on yellow background

The Spruce Eats / Michela Buttignol 

Most cookies are objectively tasty, but only some can be called iconic. Enter: Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies. Not only has the cult-favorite treat graced our frozen summer desserts since 1924 (we’re looking at you, icebox cake), they even have their own 1,500 member fan club on Facebook. I get the enthusiasm: Besides being the perfect base for chocolate mousse pie, the crispy dark chocolate wafers are delicious on their own or with coffee and tea.

But as of earlier this year, consumers have reported that the wafers have become harder and harder to find, prompting rumors they might be permanently absent from store shelves. It seems the sad news is true: While the company didn’t respond to our request for comment, Mondelez—Nabisco’s parent company—has confirmed the Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies have been discontinued to make room for “new innovations” after nearly a century on the market. 

What To Use Instead of Famous Chocolate Wafers


The cookies’ departure is terrible for sweet tooths and home bakers alike, especially as icebox cake and pie season approaches. The good news? There are plenty of other options if your recipe calls for a crumbly, chocolate crust or cookie layers.

Chocolate Mousse Pie in a pie pan

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Whole Cookie Substitutes

  • Oreo Thins: The Oreo cookie wafers are most similar to the Famous Wafers with their slightly bitter dark chocolate flavor. While these dark chocolate cookies contain a bit of Oreo filling, it’s a minimal amount—and it may add a bit of welcome flavor to your cookie crust or ice cream pie.
  • Goya Chocolate Maria Cookie: These cookies are a bit denser and more moist than the Famous Chocolate Wafer cookies. They offer a similar but more subtly-sweet chocolate taste. 
  • Honey Maid Chocolate Graham Crackers: These chocolate graham crackers are a close swap. Expect a milder chocolate taste than the Famous Wafers.
  • Homemade Chocolate Wafer Cookies: For the most true 1:1 flavor swap, this recipe will get you a crisp, chocolate wafer cookie that most closely resembles the iconic Famous Wafer.

Tip

Since these cookie substitutes all vary in size from the Chocolate Famous Wafer Cookie you will need to do a bit of guess-and-check if you are using them to make a crumb crust. Your best bet would be to pulse a portion of the cookies into crumbs and measure the crumbs until you have enough to make the crust.

Baked pie crust in a pie pan

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Pre-Made Crust Substitutes

  • Keebler Chocolate Graham Crust: This pre-made, no-bake chocolate cookie crust from Keebler is a solid substitute for Famous Wafer, although the chocolate flavor won’t be as rich and bitter. 
  • Oreo Cookie Crust:This pre-made cookie crust will have a richer flavor, like the Famous Wafers, without the extra step of crushing the cookies. 
  • Bakerdale Black Cookie Crumbs:If you just need chocolate cookie crumbs—either for making a crust or sprinkling between layers of a dessert—check out this highly rated option.

Recipes