10 Great Costco Bakery Buys Even Experienced Shoppers Overlook

Costco is known for bulk buys on everyday essentials. But the warehouse club sells more than pallets of paper towels and gallons of gravy. The bakery section features a bounty of bargains of gourmet-quality cheesecakes, cookies, pastries, bread, and more.

While most members know about the iconic tuxedo bar and classic croissants, some under-the-radar items are easy to overlook. And that's why we scoured the store for the best bakery buys that even experienced shoppers may miss.

So if you're looking for new ways to get more out of your Costco membership, here are 10 of the retailer's best-kept bakery secrets.

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

Price: $9.99

Fans of Rice Krispies Treats are in for a sweet surprise. Costco's new-ish cookie has the same cravable flavor as the bars, minus the marshmallowy mess required to make them. And bonus, you'll get two dozen for under $10. That's 24 of the amazingly indulgent sweet snacks to share. Or, if you're like other Costco members, all for yourself.

Warehouse club shopper and Redditor Stop_Already issued a few words of caution in their rave review of the fresh-baked Kirkland cookies: "These are incredible. The brown butter + marshmallow + crispy textured bits are perfect. We will never buy them again because they are dangerous."

Price: $22.99

Cheesecakes come and go at Costco. But this fruit-filled find is one favorite that shoppers often ignore. The refrigerated bakery section buy is a seasonal selection that doesn't always get the love it deserves.

While the classic plain cheesecake is an ever-present icon and members always seem to snap up the tiramisu version immediately, the strawberry streusel flavor is a decadently delicious dessert that definitely deserves a spot in your cart.

If $22.99 seems expensive for this four-plus pound pick, compare the price to what you could pay elsewhere. A single slice of The Cheesecake Factory's Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake costs $12.50.

Price: $9.99

Costco's bakery is legendary for its freshly made, warm, flaky, buttery croissants. But that's not the only French pastry you should nab on your next warehouse club shopping trip.

What exactly is a twice-baked pistachio-filled croissant? The name may sound like something you expect to hear in front of the word "potato," but this gourmet goody is not a savory side. Instead, this indulgent item starts with a classic croissant base. Costco's bakers split it open, fill it with unbelievably rich pistachio cream paste, and then bake it again (hence, the twice-baked part).

The double-baking process gives this fresh find a caramelized glaze that is too good to pass up.

Price: $8.99

Not in the mood for something fancy? While shoppers are searching for the hottest trends and seasonal standouts to hit Costco's bakery section (like the maple butter pecan bar and massive pumpkin pie), these cupcakes are a classic that often go unnoticed.

Even though they may not have the razzle-dazzle of the tuxedo cake, the sweet treats are 10/10 for their moist, velvety-smooth cake, creamy icing, and intense chocolate flavor.

For less than $9, this 12-count is a budget-friendly bargain. In comparison, Target sells six assorted chocolate and vanilla cupcakes from Favorite Day for $4.99. At that price, you would pay $9.98 for Costco's bulk-buy quantity.

Price: $6.99

Pita bread isn't an item most shoppers think of picking up at Costco. Before you go to a specialty store for this potentially pricey product, check out the retailer's bakery section.

Costco's version of the flat pockets has a distinctively soft, pillowy feel. This separates the bread from what you could find elsewhere.

Nab the nine-count pack for $6.99 right now. Don't judge the seemingly high cost of this item until you consider its size. Whole Foods Market charges $3.99 for a 12-ounce pack. But for $3 more, you'll get 29 ounces at the warehouse club.

Price: $6.99

Seasoned Costco shoppers know that the club recently added a bounty of fun flavors, like lemon raspberry and blueberries and cream to its muffin lineup. And, along with those popular picks, seasonal selections such as pumpkin and cranberry orange tend to grab the spotlight.

But if you're searching for something different, the vanilla chocolate chip flavor just came back to most Costco stores. The former fan favorite doesn't stay in stock long, making it absolutely essential to snap up the eight-pack when you see it.

Priced at $6.99, this bakery buy is a bargain. For reference, Aldi sells four of the store's private-label Bake Shop brand chocolate chip muffins for $4.29.

Price: $10.99

The warehouse club might spell the name differently than other bakeries, but the sweet taste of this Kirkland Signature rugula is exactly what you expect. The Eastern European pastry is a cookie-mini-croissant mashup with a fruit, nut, or chocolate filling. And luckily for Costco shoppers, this $10.99 pack includes a variety of flavors.

Some Costco members are just finding out that the retailer still sells this tasty treat. One Redditor recently wrote, "Man, maybe I just don't hang by the bakery much, but I am visiting my father, and he was tickled to find that the rugelach is back at the bakery in the Brookhaven ATL Costco ... Sorry if we're super late to the party with this one, but it seems like at least 5-10 years since these guys were last produced."

Price: $12.99

Pass on plain pastries and pick up this six-pack. They may look like muffins, but this sinfully sweet and surprisingly sumptuous bakery buy is actually a croissant.

Why would Costco call this caramelized creation a croissant if it doesn't have the tell-tale half-moon crescent shape? It all starts with the pastry dough. Instead of a moist cake batter, this bakery buy features a buttery, flaky croissant crust. Add in dreamy cream cheese filling, blueberries, and a streusel crumble, and you get a can't-miss sweet treat.

Take it from Costco Redditor herokie, "Just got this recently and it's one of the most indulgent things I've eaten."

Price: $8.99

This store's shoppers know and love the bakery's supersized sweets. As you browse the section searching for the latest, greatest pie, cookie, or cheesecake, you might also notice something savory. The warehouse club has a surprising selection of bread — and this olive and rosemary sourdough loaf is one of our favorites.

The bold flavor is perfect as-is. But you can also slice the bread and use it to make gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, dip it into EVOO, or add it to a party platter.

Not a fan of olives and rosemary? Costco also has several seasonal options, including Cranberry Walnut Bread, Jalapeno Cheddar Bread, Blueberry Sourdough, and Cherry, Berry Sourdough with Pecans (prices vary).

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Price: $10.99

You don't need a campfire to enjoy the sweet taste of s'mores. At least, not when these cookies are available at your local Costco club. The seasonal selection isn't on store shelves for long. And that makes it important to snap up this 24-pack as soon as you see it.

Like its namesake, the Kirkland Signature S'mores Cookie features a mouthwatering mix of marshmallows and chocolate.

What do Costco members think about this find? One Redditor posted, "Just got at my store. Best cookies I've had. Chewy and with big hunks of chocolate and marshmallow. Might go buy a second package tomorrow; they are half gone already!"

Warehouse shopping requires an eagle eye and a little pinch of insider information. Now that you have our handpicked list of often overlooked bakery buys, you're ready to start snapping up the most affordable (and unexpected) deals.

We've got one more tip to stretch your grocery budget further: Download the retailer's app or sign in to your account online.

You'll get access to exclusive offers that make it easier to save on everything from cookies and cakes to hamburgers and hot dogs. Other in-app features include a digital version of your Costco membership card, digital receipts, and mobile shopping lists. And of course, you can check prices before you waste gas money on an unnecessary trip to the store.