12 Costco Desserts That I Would Honestly Not Buy Again

Budget-friendly prices on sweet treats are among the top Costco membership perks. But not every store-brand dessert lives up to the hype. While I certainly have a few go-to desserts I always add to my Costco cart, some of Costco's selections don't fit my needs.

Whether you don't have five or more people to feed, or dietary restrictions that make high-fat and high-sugar foods a no-go, avoid wasting money on Costco treats that look tempting but aren't worth it.

Many of the bakery's items come in oversized packs with a short shelf life, so it pays to think about how much you'll actually eat before you buy.

Here are some Costco desserts that I've tried and won't be buying again.

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

Price: $5.99

A three-pound pumpkin pie sounds like the top find of the fall. This massive dessert is ideal for a large family gathering, Thanksgiving dinner, or a family of four or more. 

Not planning on sharing this Costco buy with several friends? You'll likely get tired of the taste of this pie before you have the chance to finish it, and end up throwing away at least half of the pie like I did.

The pie actually weighs in at 3 pounds, 10 ounces and is meant to serve 12. Each slice has about 310 calories and 30 grams of sugar. It also contains eggs, wheat, milk, and soy.

Price: $6.99

Costco's eight-pack of muffins for $6.99 is an almost unbeatable bargain. But I'm not a big fan of the taste of the latest chocolate recipe. Other shoppers agree.

Reddit user lavenderandlilacs10 noticed a change in the usual flavor and asked, "Does anybody know if they are using different chocolate in them now?" 

Alive_University_234 responded, "It was the worst muffin from Costco ever. It looks like dark chocolate color but the taste isn't chocolate at all."

The bakery's All-American Fudge Mini Cakes are a popular alternative if you're craving a decadent chocolate dessert. Costco swapped its two-for-$9.99 deal on six-packs for single eight-packs in late 2024.

Price: $8.99

There's no dispute about the taste of these enormous cupcakes. The flavor has a not-so-subtle sweetness many Costco shoppers savor. However, these mini cakes could pose a problem if calories are a concern. 

As Redditor Ram130 put it, "Don't get if you value your waistline and want to test your control."

Swap out Costco's mini cakes for a French Vanilla Creme Power Crunch energy bar. With 14 grams of protein and five grams of sugar per serving, it's a more nutritious option.

Each pack holds six mini cakes that weigh about 7 ounces apiece, topped with white buttercream icing and colorful sprinkles.

Price: $6.99

Are you hosting a brunch-time baby shower or other late-morning event? If not, this nine-pack of extra-large raspberry buns might get stale before you eat them. Like some of Costco's other bulk buys, this freshly baked treat isn't made to serve one or two.

And while the fluffy pastry has an enjoyable taste, it won't when it's stale. Plus, it doesn't freeze well. Each bun is an all-butter croissant pastry swirled with raspberry filling and topped with cinnamon sugar. 

It's less sweet than a cinnamon roll, but each one still has 350 calories and weighs about 91 grams, or roughly 3 ounces.

Price: $8.99

This newer Costco treat is an instant fave among seasoned shoppers. Redditors like FinnDool rave about the "tender, delectable cookies." But if you're on a low-sugar diet or have diabetes, skip these cookies. 

Another Reddit user noted the high-calorie count. According to xoRomaCheena31, "Three cookies is 180 cals."

The bites are a cross between biscotti and scones, studded with cinnamon-flavored baking chips and topped with coarse sugar. A tub holds 42 bites, so it's easy to keep grabbing a few more. Chowhound called the texture surprisingly soft for a biscotti-style cookie and said the cinnamon flavor was underwhelming. 

The bites are also a seasonal item, so they may not be on shelves when you go.

Price: $9.99

A pack of 24 cookies is a steal for less than $10 if you enjoy the flavors. This mixed box includes half a dozen chocolate chunk-packed sweets and 12 double-nut oatmeal raisin cookies. 

True chocolate connoisseurs may want nothing to do with the breakfast-like dried fruit treats. So, if you're not a fan of oatmeal raisin, this mega-pack is a waste of money.

Pro tip: for less than $15, you can also splurge on Costco's 60-cookie (30 packs of two) box of Pepperidge Farm's Milanos. The double-nut cookies are made with cashews and macadamia nuts, so skip this box if you have a nut allergy.

Price: $6.99

These dessert-like blueberry muffins won't stay fresh for days. And it could take that long for one person or a couple to finish this pick.

Even though eight in a pack may seem like a small quantity compared to other Costco bulk buys, each oversized baked good is more than a single serving. If you can't eat all eight, you'll waste money on the cost of these muffins. 

Costco's current version is the Blueberries and Cream Muffin, with a streusel-style topping and 460 calories per muffin. If you do buy a pack, wrap the extras individually and freeze them for up to six months.

Price: $17.99

The sweet sponge and caramel mousse make the tres leche cake a popular pick. But don't get too attached. You'll likely be disappointed when you learn that this Costco dessert isn't a store staple, meaning you may need to wait months or longer to get another slice.

Costco phased the cake out in 2023 before bringing it back in 2024 with a new chocolate garnish. Two layers of sponge cake sandwich the caramel mousse, and a small 76-gram slice has 200 calories, according to the Costcuisine blog. 

The cake keeps for about five days in the fridge, but it freezes well if you want to save some for later.

Price: $18.99

You won't hear many complaints about the taste of Costco's iconic tuxedo cake. While shoppers enjoy the indulgent layers of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, white chocolate and vanilla mousse, plus chocolate ganache, this beloved buy is almost too good.

Reddit user iforgothowtohuman wrote, "Warning! Do not buy the tuxedo cake!! Unless you're prepared to eat the whole thing yourself in maybe two to three days. Because you will."

The disappointment here is that you could end up with a horrible stomachache if you overindulge. The cake weighs nearly 3 pounds, so slice and freeze some of it to slow yourself down.

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Price: $15.99

Costco's celebration cake is perfect for parties. And while the $15.99 price tag is less than what you could pay at a specialty bakery for a 10-inch chocolate cake, other superstores may still have better deals for the same taste.

Walmart's Freshness Guaranteed brand's 26.8-ounce chocolate iced cake sells for $14.64. That's over $1 less than this Costco dessert.

Costco's cake weighs a little over 3 pounds, with sponge layers, a light mousse filling, and fudgy frosting. Still, it ranked last among 13 Costco bakery desserts in a Food Republic taste test, where reviewers said the thick frosting can be overly sweet. They suggested the Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake instead.

Price: $22.99

Orange vanilla batter, graham crust, and creamy whipped topping make this cake a dream. It's Costco's bakery take on the summertime treat, which is popular with shoppers. 

While the taste isn't bad, it isn't as good as the price suggests. At almost $23, the orange dreamsicle cake is one of the most expensive desserts at the members-only warehouse club, so you may not be able to keep more cash in your pocket.

One Redditor who tracked it down found the orange flavor subtle. The cheesecake also isn't sold at every location, so you may have to hunt around for it.

Price: $6.99

Muffin may not be the right name for this Costco dessert. Costco Redditor OCR10 notes, "These are just miniature cakes disguised as breakfast food. But they do taste good. Just consider them dessert and consume appropriately."

If you're looking for light muffins for breakfast, you'll be disappointed by these. Each muffin is about 6 ounces and 4 inches wide, with a cream cake base and cinnamon streusel topping. One has 660 calories and 52 grams of sugar, which is more than many slices of cake. 

The muffins come in eight-packs for $6.99, and they're often a seasonal or limited-time item. You can freeze individually wrapped muffins for up to six months.

From a mega-sized pie that could feed an entire family of five to iced cakes with sugary sweet frosting, you may want to cross some of Costco's desserts off your shopping list. But don't worry — the warehouse club has affordable alternatives that may meet your needs.

Before buying a treat you won't eat, consider which sweet selection is the best match for each occasion, activity, or family member. This can help you save money on groceries and stick to your budget.

If you do pick up a big dessert, slice and freeze what you can't finish within a few days so none of it goes to waste.