I’ve Tried Dozens of Costco Cakes, This One Is My Go-to for Every Occasion

Bargain buys on delicious desserts are among the top Costco membership perks shoppers enjoy. I confess that with so many cake choices, picking one isn't always easy. 

If you're looking for the best treats to enjoy, you don't have to waste money sampling every selection from the bakery department. We did the work for you and enjoyed every bite. Which cake took the top spot? You'll have to keep reading for the answer.

Costco's bakery lineup rotates by season, with refrigerated bar cakes, loaf cakes, and cheesecakes cycling in and out throughout the year. 

That means a few of the picks on this list may not be available at every warehouse at the same time, so it's worth checking the bakery case on each visit to see what's currently in stock.

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

Price: $6.99

There's something to be said for simplicity. Kirkland Signature's all-butter pound cake is a no-frills treat you will want to eat. As the name implies, Costco's bakers add plenty of real butter to this sumptuous sweet.

The loaf weighs about 32 ounces, giving you a generous amount of cake for under $7. Costco shoppers on Reddit describe it as rich and moist, with several noting it freezes well if you want to stretch it out over a few weeks rather than eating the whole thing at once. It also reheats nicely. Warming a slice briefly in the air fryer or oven, rather than the microwave, helps keep the crust from turning soggy.

Eat this delightful dessert as-is, or dress it up with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a handful of fresh berries. Plus, it's a great price, helping you save money on groceries. 

Price: $10.20

Cousin to the all-butter pound cake, this lux lemon loaf has a subtle citrus kick that is both sweet and refreshing at the same time. Warm this almost muffin-ish runner-up and serve it for brunch, or pair it with fruit sorbet as an after-dinner treat.

The loaf is typically sliced into about 10 servings, so a single loaf can comfortably serve a small brunch gathering or last across a few days. 

Because the blueberries are baked directly into the batter rather than added as a topping, they hold their shape and moisture better than a fruit filling that's spooned on afterward. Refrigerating leftovers, or slicing and freezing individual portions, helps preserve the streusel topping's crunch.

The blueberry-packed lemon batter gives this bakery buy the perfect moist texture. Of course, that's not the only reason the cake landed on our list. Lemon icing and a crumbly butter streusel topping add a layer of gourmet-like goodness.

Price: $17.99

The bar-shaped cake has a welcome firmness to it, not as wet as other tres leche cakes. This popular refrigerated bakery dessert features sponge cake soaked in three types of milk (sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk), creamy custard mousse filling, caramel whipped cream topping, and shaved chocolate.

The tres leches cake is part of the same rotating lineup of refrigerated bar cakes as Costco's carrot, creme brulee, and mocha crunch options, and it tends to sell out quickly when it's in season. 

Because the sponge is soaked in a milk mixture rather than a syrup, it stays moist without becoming soggy, which is part of what gives it a firmer bite than some other tres leches desserts. It's best served cold, straight from the fridge, since the caramel whipped cream topping can soften quickly at room temperature.

One Reddit user said (and I agree), "I'd give up a kidney for a slice. Pair it with a espresso shot."

Price: $19.99

A luscious, velvety texture makes this 12-inch cake a top-tier choice. Even though the warehouse club sells cherry-topped and other fancifully flavored varieties, the plain version still deserves a spot on our list (and a spot in your shopping cart). If you're craving something more, add your favorite fruit, caramel sauce, or a drizzle of melted chocolate to the top.

If almost $20 seems like a lot for a cheesecake, consider its size. This runner-up weighs in at four-plus pounds. A single slice of the Original flavor from The Cheesecake Factory is $9.95; Costco's $19.99 whole cake is actually a bargain.

Price: $18.99

Cream cheese icing, raisins, toasted walnuts, pineapple, and (of course) carrots make this a mouthwatering dessert that even the employees enjoy. Costco subreddit user Tesserae626 wrote, "It's really good, not super sweet…Very few things I get from my bakery, but I'd buy this."

The bar-shaped cake is part of Costco's rotating spring lineup of refrigerated bar cakes, alongside seasonal flavors like creme brulee and mocha crunch. It typically serves up to 20 people, making it a practical choice for a larger gathering or potluck. 

Because it contains cream cheese frosting, it should stay refrigerated and is best served chilled, though many shoppers say leftovers freeze well if wrapped tightly in individual slices.

Price: $23.99

Coffee lovers will enjoy this sinfully sweet treat from Costco's refrigerated bakery aisle. Indulge in a chocolatey graham and cocoa crust, dreamy mascarpone whip topping, and a cold brew cheesecake center.

The dessert weighs in at more than 4 pounds, making it one of the larger seasonal cakes in Costco's rotating bakery lineup, and it has returned to stores after selling out in previous years. 

Because the mascarpone topping and cheesecake center are dairy-based, it needs to stay refrigerated until serving. If you do freeze leftover slices, letting them thaw slowly in the fridge rather than on the counter helps keep the texture from turning watery.

This runner-up is a fan favorite. Shopper TomatilloFuzzy4636 posted on Reddit, "It's the best dessert I've ever had from Costco." Don't worry if you can't finish the entire cake yourself. I recommend popping a few slices into the freezer to thaw at a later date.

Price: $16.99

This 10-inch round frosted cake came in at a close second. Costco's chocolate mousse cake begins with a velvety-soft base and an ultra-fine crumb, topped with a thick, sticky frosting that's stiff, almost fudgy, and definitely on the sweeter side, a crowd-pleaser with a surprisingly long shelf life.

A 10-inch round like this typically serves about 12 to 16 people, depending on slice size, making it a solid choice for a birthday party or office celebration. 

Because it's finished with a rich, fudgy frosting rather than a lighter whipped topping, it holds up well at room temperature for a couple of hours during a party before it needs to go back in the fridge. The decorated version is a popular pick for last-minute birthdays, since Costco's bakery can customize the message with minimal notice.

The refrigerated dessert is available in plain or decorated options. Pick up a party-ready version with balloons and a special message, or nab the unembellished alternative.

Price: $17.99

It's a classic for a reason. Layers of indulgent chocolate mousse, vanilla mousse, white chocolate, and dark chocolate ganache give this bakery buy a gourmet flavor that landed it at the top of the list.

This top pick weighs about 42 ounces, or roughly 2.6 pounds, and its combination of dark and white chocolate mousse layered over a chocolate base is what sets it apart from Costco's other bar-style cakes, which tend to lean on fruit or coffee flavors instead. It also has a longer refrigerated shelf life than many of the fruit-topped options, so it holds up well if you're buying ahead for a party.

This mega-popular pick isn't just our favorite. Shoppers also enjoy the decadently rich tuxedo bar cake. Redditor iforgothowtohuman raved about the amazingly addictive treat, "Warning! Do not buy the tuxedo cake…unless you're prepared to eat the whole thing yourself in maybe two or three days. Because you will. I am."

So, there you have it. After reviewing the top picks, the iconic tuxedo cake was chosen number one. But it wasn't an easy decision. When it comes to delicious desserts, Costco is a great place to pick up a cake.

These treats are not only top-quality but also cost-effective. You can save money shopping for all kinds of items at Costco. We suggest perusing other aisles right before a new season starts to find great new items worth trying.

Costco's bakery lineup changes with the seasons, so it's worth checking back every few months to see what's new, since items like the creme brulee and mocha crunch bar cakes have already come and gone in favor of newer releases. 

Many of these cakes also freeze well, so buying one for a gathering and freezing the leftover slices is an easy way to stretch the value even further.