Costco Half Sheet Birthday Cake Price: What You Really Get

If you’re staring down a birthday invite list that just keeps growing, you’re probably wondering: will a Costco half sheet cake cover it, and what’s the damage to your wallet? First off, the price is honestly one of the biggest reasons folks flock to Costco’s bakery. In May 2025, a half sheet cake from Costco usually rings up right around $26.99. Not a typo. That feeds a crowd, and you’d pay way more almost anywhere else.

But is it enough for your party? And can you actually trust it to look cute and taste good? That’s what we’re tackling here. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve ordered (and hauled) these cakes into my car—between school celebrations and a house bursting with hungry kids, I know how many plates one cake can fill and what shortcuts work best if you’re tight on time or cash. If you’re new to Costco cakes, get ready, because there are a few “hacks” even regular shoppers miss out on.

• How Much Does a Costco Half Sheet Cake Cost in 2025?
• How Big Is a Costco Half Sheet Cake?
• What Flavors and Designs Can You Choose?
• Ordering and Pickup Tips
• Tricks to Stretch Your Cake Further
• Common Mistakes to Avoid

How Much Does a Costco Half Sheet Cake Cost in 2025?

The main thing everyone wants to know: what's it actually going to cost? Costco’s pricing for half sheet birthday cakes has always turned heads, and in 2025, the price sticks right around $26.99 in most U.S. locations. This isn’t a secret “members-only deal” — it’s the regular price you see at the bakery counter.

If you’re comparing, it’s wild how much you can save. Grocery store chains and boutique bakeries charge between $40 and $90 for something similar, and sometimes those don’t even serve as many people. Costco keeps it simple and affordable, which is partly why parents, teachers, and office managers line up for these cakes every spring and summer.

The $26.99 price includes a custom design (you pick from Costco’s lineup), a classic message, and the basic choice between white or chocolate cake. No extra charges for standard decorations or personalization, unless you’re asking for something way outside the usual options.

If you want more flair—like themed decorations, licensed characters, or complex artwork—Costco’s bakery doesn’t go there. They keep costs down by sticking to classic designs. At this price, the main surprise is how much cake you’re getting for so little.

"You can’t beat the value for the size and quality you get with a Costco cake," according to Food Network contributor Tessa Arias, who covers budget-friendly party planning tips.

If you’re worried about prices changing, don’t stress. Costco rarely bumps up bakery prices without a big sign warning shoppers ahead of time. And it doesn’t matter if you order last minute; you’ll get the same price, every time. If you want to double-check before heading to the store, just call your local Costco and ask for the current sheet cake price. They’ll give it to you right over the phone, no membership number needed.

How Big Is a Costco Half Sheet Cake?

First thing you need to know: Costco's half sheet birthday cake is a true party workhorse. It measures about 12 inches by 16 inches and stands roughly 3 inches tall. That's not just a marketing stretch—the box is actually hard to fit in some fridges. This thing is massive if you’re used to the postage-stamp cakes from regular grocery stores.

Wondering how many people that feeds? Costco says 48 big slices, but honestly, unless your crowd is wild for cake, you’ll probably end up with leftovers. At most parties, you’ll get closer to 50 thin pieces or 35 hearty slabs. If you’re thinking about doubling up dessert tables, one half sheet might just be all you need.

• Dimensions: 12” x 16” x 3” (L x W x H)
• Serves: About 48 adults or up to 54 kids if you cut thinner pieces
• Weight: Around 9 pounds when fully decorated

The best part? The Costco half sheet cake is designed for easy serving. There are guides on the box to show where to make the cuts so you don’t end up with weird, uneven slices. If you’re putting together a big birthday, sports team bash, or school event, one of these babies can handle the crowd for less than a dollar per person. Try finding that at a bakery or boutique shop—good luck!

What Flavors and Designs Can You Choose?

When you swing by the Costco bakery in 2025, you’re going to notice that picking out the flavor is super simple, but a little limited—they stick to what sells. So don’t expect an endless menu of wild colors and exotic fillings. Instead, it’s tried-and-true classics for the Costco half sheet cake:

• Chocolate Cake: Chocolate sheet cake, layered with chocolate mousse, and topped with chocolate icing. It’s rich—like, my-kids-won’t-sit-still-after kind of rich.
• Vanilla Cake: Vanilla sheet cake, with a tasty vanilla cheesecake mousse filling, covered in sweet white icing. This one’s usually the safe bet if you don’t know what the crowd likes.

More custom flavors or fillings just aren’t in the cards, at least not for half sheet cakes. They rarely switch things up, because, honestly, most people stick with these anyway.

Designs are where you get a bit more wiggle room. Costco rolls out about two dozen stock designs each year. In the bakery, there’s a big binder with all the options. You’ll spot everything from balloons and rainbows to golf themes and even basic “Congratulations!” or floral styles. Not wild about any of those? You can ask for simple changes, like switching up icing colors or adding names and ages, but they won’t do licensed characters or photo cakes due to copyright stuff.

Here’s a tip: if a birthday kid has a favorite color or theme, bring a printout or toy for inspiration. The bakery team won’t copy cartoons, but they’ll do their best to match the vibe with the colors and decorations they have. Also, you need to order at least 48 hours in advance for custom messages or design choices, especially near popular dates. If you forget, they’ll sell you a plain cake straight out of the cooler, but you’re stuck with whatever’s left.

One last thing—if you’ve got a lot of guests with allergies, double-check the ingredients list, because Costco cakes contain eggs, milk, soy, and wheat (and sometimes traces of nuts, depending on location and production). For anyone who just wants it simple, you can always order it blank and decorate yourself at home.

Ordering and Pickup Tips

If you want to snag a Costco half sheet cake, you actually can’t order it online—the only way right now is in-person at the bakery counter inside the store. This can throw off a lot of first-timers, especially if you’re used to adding everything to a digital cart. Just grab a cake order form at the counter, fill it out with your design, flavor, and message, and drop it in the box. It’s low-tech, but it works.

Give Costco at least 48 hours' notice for custom cakes. Some clubs will get it ready faster, but two days is the safest bet if you want the design you want. If you’re in a pinch and need a cake the same day, most locations also keep pre-made decorated cakes in the bakery cooler—usually basic balloons, roses, or blank cakes you can jazz up yourself at home.

• Orders are first-come, first-serve: Major holidays and Saturdays fill up early, so don’t leave it until the last minute.
• Pick-up hours match the bakery department (not always store hours!), which often close before evening. Double-check so you don’t get shut out at the last minute.
• Bring your Costco card—you'll need it both to order and to pick up your cake.
• The order form lets you pick either chocolate or vanilla (sometimes called white cake), buttercream or mousse filling, and a bunch of basic decoration themes—flowers, sports, themed colors, etc.
• If you need writing on the cake, keep it short. Costco decorators do great work but those cakes are big and the space fills up fast with long messages.

If you want maximum flexibility, go just after they open. Early slots have a better chance of fresh cakes and less crowd at the counter. And if it’s a birthday around graduation or Mother’s Day, expect busier than usual. We’ve seen families picking up stacks of half sheet cakes for big backyard gatherings, so just be aware during the spring and summer party rush.

One last thing: transport matters. These half sheet cakes are massive! Clear a space in your car and slide it onto a flat surface. I've seen more than one cake casualty from wobbly car seats or turning too sharp on the way home.

Tricks to Stretch Your Cake Further

So, you ordered the Costco half sheet cake and now you’re worrying about feeding a small army. Don’t sweat—there are easy ways to get more slices without anyone feeling shortchanged. Let’s talk real party math: Costco says their half sheet cake serves about 48 people, each with a generous piece (2 x 2 inches). But most kids (and honestly, a lot of adults) rarely finish slices that big at birthday parties full of pizza, chips, and ice cream.

If you cut those slices a bit smaller, say around 1.5 x 2 inches, you’ll easily stretch it to about 64 servings. Grab a long, sharp knife and a ruler if you want to make every piece even. Sounds a little over-the-top, but it works if you expect a packed house or want everyone to have seconds.

• Pre-cut before serving. It speeds up the line and helps you keep portions smaller.
• Pair the cake with other desserts—think fruit cups or cookies—to satisfy bigger appetites without needing a second cake.
• If you’re serving kids, cut slices even smaller (they care about frosting, not cake volume).
• Offer drinks like milk, lemonade, or coffee on the side. Full tummies mean cake stretches further.

Here’s how different slice sizes stack up for the classic Costco half sheet:

Got leftovers? Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and freeze them. That way, you can pop out a slice for a lunchbox treat or curb those late-night cake cravings (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything!). With these hacks, one big cake can really cover a lot of ground—and honestly, your wallet will thank you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though grabbing a Costco half sheet cake is pretty straightforward, plenty of people hit a snag or two. Some of these slip-ups can throw off your party plans or even leave you short on cake. If you want to dodge the usual problems, here’s what to watch out for:

• Not ordering in advance: Costco doesn’t always have half sheet cakes ready to grab-and-go, especially during graduation season, weekends, or holidays. Most stores ask for at least 2 days notice. Show up last-minute, and you might walk away empty-handed or stuck with generic designs.
• Forgetting customization details: If you misspell the birthday kid’s name or don’t double-check your colors and design at order time, you'll just get the default setup, since Costco decorators have to move fast. Double-check everything on the order form before handing it in.
• Underestimating the size: People often guess wrong about how much a half sheet cake feeds. Costco's half sheet easily serves 48 big slices (like, generous-party size). If your group is smaller, expect leftovers. Here's a quick size cheat sheet:

• Missing flavor options: Some folks don’t realize they can choose chocolate or white cake—with chocolate or vanilla filling. Chocolate seems to fly off the shelves first, so if you have a strong flavor preference, make your order early.
• Skipping the in-store pickup details: Don’t forget you need your member card to pick up your cake. Also, bring a flat surface to rest the cake on in your car—half sheet cakes are humongous and not easy to balance in a lap!
• Assuming decorations are limitless: Costco decorators are quick, but there are limits. Don’t expect fancy fondant characters or super-specific color schemes. The designs are simple, kid-friendly, and the order form shows what actually can be done.

Bottom line: double-check your details, order early, don’t underestimate the size, and plan for extra fridge space at home. These simple fixes help make sure your big delicious cake is exactly what you want—without any party-day panic!