Costco, the shopping haven of bulk purchases and ginormous deals, is in our hearts. We may come for the paper towels and the family-pack snacks, but it’s most likely the heavenly aroma of the bakery that beckons us further in. That part of the store is like magic newly baked bread, buttery flaky pastries, and giant desserts all tempting us to indulge.
The bakery offering changes constantly. New viral sensations pop up, seasonal favorites come back, and standby favorites keep you coming back. But with all those yummy choices, how do you choose what’s really worth hogging the cart space? I sampled almost a dozen of Costco’s most sought-after sweets, critiquing them for taste, storing, kid appeal, and overall value. Here are the ones I’d buy again in a heartbeat followed by a few that you should probably avoid.
Desserts That Are Worth Repurchasing
1. Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake
This masterpiece is fit for a high-end restaurant, with sophisticated layers of dark cake, chocolate mousse, white chocolate mousse, and dense ganache. To top it off, it is sprinkled with chewy brownie bites to add texture.
Each bite is a combination of silky and dense, creamy and fudgy. It’s decadent, rich, and enjoyed as much by children as grown-ups. The rectangular configuration allows easier storage than Costco’s round cakes, and at $16.99, it’s a great bargain for something that tastes so high-end. A bakery crown jewel that never fails.
2. Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
Not all members of my family are fans of lemon desserts, but this one won us over. The bright, tangy lemon curd atop the rich cheesecake was pure heaven, just the right mix of citrus zing and smooth richness.
The only downsides? A dense meringue topping that wasn’t needed and that the cake doesn’t store well by the next day, the flavors became unrefreshingly bitter. At $19.99, it’s slightly more expensive, so share it fresh with family or friends and have everything eaten in one sitting. If you’re looking for a dessert that tastes light and somewhat exotic, this is the one.
3. Strawberries and Cream Cake
This seasonal summer treat is three pounds of unadulterated bliss. Even though it’s large, it tastes light due to whipped cream frosting and jammy strawberry layers.
The rectangular form is convenient to slice and store, and the taste is incredibly refreshing sweet, fruity, and light. At $17.99, it’s a seasonal staple when it shows up. Ideal for backyard barbecues, birthdays, or any warm-weather party, it tastes like sunshine in cake form.
4. Apple Danish
Breakfast? Dessert? Either, it’s great. These flaky danish are filled with gooey apple filling that tastes just like pie.
They’re cold-worked, but warming them up makes the cinnamon-spiced center all the more snug, like something from a small-town bakery. Because they keep afew days out of the fridge, they’re ideal for snacking whenever the urge arises or even slipping into a lunchbox for an after-hours surprise.
5. Almond Danish
If kid-friendly is the apple version, then the almond variety is its sophisticated cousin. Rich, nutty marzipan filling is layered with powdered sugar and slivered almonds for crunch.
You can combine and swap cases of almond and apple Danishes for $11.99, which are perfect for sharing or freezing. Of all Costco pastries, this is the most refined one serve it with coffee or tea, and it easily qualifies as something from a boutique café.
6. 24-Cookie Variety Pack
Traditional and trustworthy, this $9.99 bag comes with chocolate chunk, oatmeal raisin, and white chocolate macadamia. They’re soft, chewy, and snackable for all eternity.
They don’t require refrigeration, so they’re convenient for parties, road trips, or simply stocking a cookie jar at home. Although they’re not the most thrilling dessert, they’re a reliable family classic that always gets gobbled up. And they’re portion-friendly you can eat only one cookie without committing to an entire slice of cake.
7. Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Mousse
At $15.99, this indulgent cake delivers everything chocolate fans dream of fluffy layers, airy mousse, and silky frosting.
It’s massive and tricky to store, but worth the fridge space when you’re celebrating. Rich, moist, and satisfying, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you’re hosting a birthday or simply want a “just because” cake that feels special, this is the one to grab.
Desserts to Skip
8. Raspberry Mini Cakes
These are adorable in their six-pack, but flavor doesn’t match presentation. The cake itself tastes like a plain Costco muffin topped with frosting, and the raspberry flavor is too artificial-tasting.
Thin fruit and odd sizes make them an odd in-between dessert neither single-serving nor sharable. For $9.99, you can do better. Even my children, generally frosting lovers, weren’t requesting seconds.
9. S’mores Cookies
On paper, graham cracker dough full of chocolate pieces and marshmallows is incredible. In actuality, the cookies are bone dry, with a sandy consistency that milk can only partially redeem.
They were snatched up in an instant at a party, but for $9.99, you’re better off rolling up your sleeves and making s’mores the real way at home. If you enjoy cookies that tend chewy and gooey, this one is going to be a disappointment.
10. Key Lime Pie
Costco’s four-pound pie is a showstopper in size, but the graham cracker crust was inconsistent and sometimes overwhelming.
The filling was decent, but not memorable, and my family wasn’t eager to go back for seconds. Unless you’re hosting a lime-loving crowd, save your fridge space. For the same price, other Costco pies deliver more consistent flavor and texture.
11. Banana Cream Pie
This pie incorporates actual bananas but falls short elsewhere. The gritty graham cracker crust was difficult to slice, and the filling was more whipped than custard-like.
Since there were no fresh banana slices within, the taste was flat. Reddit commenters weren’t lying this pie tastes bland at best, and the caramel drizzle is its sole positive note. A dessert so big should impress, but this one simply didn’t.
12. Braided Apple Strudel
Sadly, this pastry is compromised by being frozen and thawed before it reaches stores. The filling is thin, the sweetness is overpowering, and the apple flavor all but absent.
At 28 grams of sugar per piece, it’s overpowering with little nuance. Looks nice, but really, ano-go. If you’re looking for apple flavor at Costco, you’re better off with the Danish.
13. Pumpkin Pie
Costco’s pumpkin pie has a cult following, but hype and all, it’s really bland. The filling is unspiced, the crust tends to get soggy, and some people describe the texture as gritty.
At more than three pounds and less than $7, it’s certainly a bargain, but not the tastiest way to welcome fall. It comes across as more of a tradition than a treat.
14. Caramel Apple Mini Cakes
Another oversized “mini” cake that just doesn’t deliver. The base is bland, and the frosting overwhelms with artificial flavor. Some compared it to eating pure butter or even the smell of a campfire.
If you’re craving fall flavors, you’ll be happier with apple pie or cider doughnuts elsewhere. These are more novelty than necessity.
Final Thoughts
Costco’s bakery is a crazy assortment of winners and losers, but that’s half the fun. The best of the bunch such as the Tuxedo Cake, Almond Danishes, and Strawberries and Cream Cake are as delicious as desserts from a specialty bakery but at a fraction of the cost. They’re people-pleasers that keep well and add cheer to any party.
Conversely, there are also some overhyped items that fail to meet the hype. It helps to monitor storage, serving size, and freshness in order to be disappointed. A four-pound pie may seem like a blast, but only if half of it isn’t wasted.
The beauty of Costco’s bakery is that it’s always changing. Seasonal pies, new “mini” cakes, and experimental flavors keep things exciting. Every trip feels like a treasure hunt, and with a little trial and error, you’ll discover which desserts are worth repeating. Here’s to many more sweet finds and maybe a little extra fridge space on your next Costco run.
