10 Costco Bakery Picks That Have a Cult Following on Reddit

Most supermarkets have a bakery in house, where the aromas of various confections fill the air and glass cases stocked with baked goods beg you to throw one in your shopping cart. It’s not a competition, but if it were, Costco’s bakery might just have the others beat. Costco typically takes the cake (pun intended) for size, quality, and affordability across all its departments. And with a wide array of pastries at prices too good to pass up, the chain’s massive bakery section is no exception. 

But how does Costco do it? Many items are freshly baked right at your local warehouse, but some get a little assistance from pre-mixed or frozen ingredients, maximizing efficiency in true Costco fashion. In case you’re wondering what’s not just good at the Costco bakery, but what’s the cream of the crop, we did some sleuthing on your behalf. Here’s what Redditors say are Costco bakery’s best offerings.

Kirkland Signature Almond Croissant Pastries

Croissants sound like fancy pastries reserved for tea parties and luncheons, but they’re surprisingly versatile, and sometimes, even casual. You can’t go wrong with classic croissants for breakfast or making sandwiches, but the almond croissants in particular are pretty popular, according to Redditors. They’re “sensational,” one person said, and all it takes is one bite to understand why. Sold in a 6-pack, these croissants are buttery and flaky, but the best part is the almond filling in the center. 

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Vegetables in a cake? It sounds absurd, but it just works. Costco’s released a few variations of this classic dessert throughout the years, including a round cake, cake bar, and cupcakes. Of the lot, shoppers tend to gravitate towards the carrot cake cupcakes—when they’re available. You can usually get ‘em in the spring or around Easter, and if you’re on the fence, you should get off it. Like the muffins, they’re pretty dang large, and the cream cheese icing perfectly complements the moist cake, spiced just right.

Kirkland Signature Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake

One shopper loves Costco’s tuxedo cake so much, it’s their birthday cake year after year. With five layers of chocolatey goodness and chocolate curls on top, it’s one of those items that definitely has you eating with your eyes first. But it’s not just about the presentation—there are Reddit threads dedicated to this delicacy. “It tastes like heaven,” one happy customer said. Others raved about how well it freezes, so if you have leftovers (which is a toss up), they won’t go to waste.

Tiramisu

Costco’s tiramisu got a few name drops on Reddit, and we’re not surprised. It usually comes in a bar cake, but Costco’s also sold mini tiramisu cups, tiramisu cheesecake, and something called “tiramisu scoop cake.” The consensus? Costco knows how to do tiramisu, and sells generous portions of it at prices you likely won’t find elsewhere. Considering how tiramisu contains pricier ingredients, this Costco bakery item is a steal.

Kirkland Signature Gourmet Chocolate Chunk Cookies

When you need to please a crowd, a case of Costco’s chocolate chip cookies never disappoints. In fact, one Redditor stated the obvious: “Their chocolate chip cookies are top tier!” And a little pro tip? If you become obsessed with the chocolate chip cookies, Costco is rumored to sell boxes of the frozen cookie dough too. You’ll get more dough for less dough, coming in clutch for large gatherings like baby showers or when you just want a little sweet treat. Not every location does this, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Plain Cheesecake

A fair amount of Costco’s bakery items are freshly made in house, including the 12-inch plain cheesecake. Actually, especially the cheesecake. From the graham cracker crust to the creamy filling, it’s as good as (or better than, depending on who you ask) homemade. And, to sweeten the deal, there are seasonal flavors to look forward to. The pumpkin cheesecake in the fall is one of the best, Redditors say. Check out the other flavors, such as the strawberry and lemon meringue, while you’re at it.

Cherry Danishes

According to Redditors, these danishes deserve more hype. They’re “too dangerous” to keep in the house, one person commented. With cherry filling nestled in a puff pastry and lightly glazed, they’re so simple, but so good. The tartness of the cherries balances out the overall sweetness, but if you’re not into fruity pastries, they also come in other flavors—almond, apple pie, and cream cheese being some of the most highly recommended.

Kirkland Signature Caramel Tres Leches Bar Cake

Getting your wedding cake at Costco is already a money saving hack, but one Redditor served the tres leches cake at their wedding—and it was a huge hit. “EVERYONE said ‘thank you’ because they loved how delicious it was and zero frills,” they said. No “wedding tax” makes this a genius move. The cake is moist, creamy, and caramel-y with a stunning presentation. Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?

Raspberry Crumble Cookies

The best Costco bakery items are seemingly the ones hardest to get your hands on. Such is the case with the popular raspberry crumble cookies, which are so delicious that some Redditors have nicknames for them. “These have to go into the freezer so we don’t eat them all in one day,” one Redditor declared. “I won’t let myself buy them anymore,” another chimed in. There you have it, folks—these cookies might be Costco’s most irresistible dessert. Maybe the warehouse took notice, and that explains why they’re not always available.

Cranberry Walnut Bread

Would you ever opt for a loaf of bread over other baked goods? Many Redditors would if the bread in question was Costco’s cranberry walnut bread, which flies off shelves when it’s in stock. Freshly baked in store, each loaf contains walnut pieces and dried cranberries. It’s such a simple upgrade from a regular loaf of bread, but it makes a huge difference when making toast or sandwiches. Just a head’s up: This loaf is usually a seasonal item available only around the holidays, but some shoppers (exuberantly) report seeing it sporadically throughout the year.