I’ve Tried Dozens of Costco Pastries and This One Is the Best

I'll admit it, I have a sweet tooth, and a plain pre-packaged cookie just won't cut it. While I'd gladly nosh on fancy French pastries from a pricey patisserie, my budget doesn't have room for this type of indulgence. So, what's a dough devotee to do?

You already know it's easy to save money at Costco on pantry products and everyday essentials. But the warehouse club also has a standout selection of pastries.

After sampling these tasty treats, I narrowed down the field to a few choice runners-up and one winner. So, keep reading to find out which sweet treat takes the cake.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $11.99 for two

As if flaky pastry dough covered in a delicate dusting of powdered sugar wasn't enough, the almond filling adds the perfect snap to this pick. Kirkland outdoes itself with the sweet brunch-ready bargain.

Pro tip: While you might want to eat a delish Danish directly from the pack, wait until you get home. Warm this pastry to golden, crispy perfection in a toaster oven. The extra few minutes are well worth your time.

Price: $8.69

Yes, I'm a fan of Costco's freshly baked pastries. But once in a while, a pre-packaged pick lands on my radar, and this chocolate-filled find combines convenience, affordability, and quality.

While the puff pastry dough doesn't have the crisp, buttery flakiness of Kirkland's croissants, it's still a sweet treat that I ultimately enjoy. And of course, getting 16 individually wrapped pains au chocolat for under $9 is a win in my book.

Price: $11.99

Macarons are the ultimate French pastry. And these don't disappoint. The 36-count includes Milk Chocolate, Pistachio, Lemon, Strawberry and Cream, Passion Fruit, and French Vanilla flavors.

This pick has a soft, almost bouncy texture that gives it the perfect chew. Even though I'm happy to eat this find straight from the fridge, these mouthwatering macarons are deliciously delightful on top of ice cream or sorbet.

Price: $7.99

Kirkland Signature's all-butter danish dough, dreamy cream cheese, a tart cherry filling, sweet streusel, and indulgent icing make this "braid" one of the best bets (in my opinion). If you haven't tried this new bakery item, nab the pastry ASAP. Simply slice the loaf and serve it for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Price: $5.99

The light, fluffy, airy texture and crispy layers of flaky dough make this pastry one of my favorites. Plain doesn't equal bland when it comes to this decadently buttery bakery buy.

Warm this runner-up in the microwave or toaster oven for a few seconds and enjoy. Or, if you're looking for a more creative option, slice a croissant and stuff it with ham, cheese, hummus, veggies, or (for you dessert fans) sliced strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate chips.

Price: $10.99

Rugula was not something I expected to find at Costco, but there it was in the bakery section. The one-plus-pound pack includes raspberry walnut and chocolate with rich, dreamy cream cheese. Apparently, I'm not the only Costco shopper who is impressed with this item. Redditor TalouseLee called the KS rugula, "DnD. Delicious and Dangerous."

Don't worry, you won't have to eat the entire container in one sitting (even though you might want to). Pop these pastries into the fridge to keep them fresh for a few days.

Price: $11.99 for 2

It doesn't get more classic than this pastry pick. The sweetly tart taste of the fruit filling has a tanginess that pairs perfectly with the sugary icing topping.

Four cherry danishes per pack may not seem like a lot, but the larger size makes this "snack" more like a meal. Like many of the warehouse club's other freshly baked items, this treat doesn't have a long shelf life. Instead of wasting money on a bulk buy you won't use, wrap leftover sweets and pop them into the freezer.

Price: $9.99

Yes, these are "morning" buns. But that doesn't mean you have to eat them for breakfast. Layered, flaky croissant pastry dough, cinnamon, granulated sugar, butter, and a hint of orange zest make this runner-up a near-winner that I could eat at any time of day.

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Price: $11.99 for two

This runner-up rounds out Costco's Danish trifecta. If you're already a fan of the almond-filled and cherry pastries, this rich, dreamy cream cheese version is a delicious addition to a breakfast menu or brunch buffet. Like the other Kirkland Signature sweets, you can also freeze these treats.

Price: $8.99

And the winner is…Kirkland's palmiers. The beloved French "palm leaves" are 10/10 in my book for the sumptuous buttery flavor and flaky texture.

One note of caution — the sinfully sweet sugar-coated puff pastries are amazingly addictive. Costco Redditor RoutinePresence7 summed it up in a way that truly resonated with me, "These are freaking amazing! Can't wait to eat more tomorrow!"

There you have it. The winner is Kirkland Signature's new Butter Sugar Palmiers. If you're seriously into sweets, I highly recommend trying this Costco bakery buy. Not only is it one of the tastiest treats you'll find in the warehouse club, but the price won't break your monthly shopping budget.

Looking for more ways to save money on groceries? Swap brand names for Costco's Kirkland Signature generics, choose easy-to-portion bulk buys that won't go bad before you use them, and check for seasonal in-store specials.