What Cakes Are Sold at Costco? A 2026 Guide to Their Birthday Cakes and More

If you’ve ever walked into Costco on a weekend and been stopped in your tracks by a towering, beautifully decorated cake behind the food court, you’re not alone. Costco’s cakes aren’t just an afterthought-they’re a major draw. For families, event planners, and anyone looking for a big, affordable cake without the hassle of baking, Costco delivers. But what kinds of cakes do they actually sell? And are they still the best deal for birthday cakes in 2026?

Costco’s Main Cake Options

Costco doesn’t carry dozens of cake varieties like a specialty bakery. Instead, they focus on a small, reliable lineup that sells in huge volumes. In 2026, their core cake offerings remain consistent across most U.S. and Canadian locations, with minor regional variations.

The three most common cakes you’ll find are:

• Classic Round Birthday Cake - A 10-inch, two-layer vanilla or chocolate cake with buttercream frosting and decorative piping. Comes with a plastic topper that says “Happy Birthday.”
• Chocolate Fudge Cake - Rich, dense, and intensely chocolatey, this is the favorite among adults. Often requested for anniversaries and milestone birthdays.
• Red Velvet Cake - Cream cheese frosting, deep red color, and a subtle cocoa flavor. Popular for Valentine’s Day and girls’ birthdays.

These cakes are made by Costco’s in-house bakery team using pre-portioned mixes and standardized decoration tools. They’re not gourmet, but they’re consistent. One customer in Ohio reported ordering the same chocolate fudge cake for her son’s 10th, 12th, and 14th birthdays-and it tasted exactly the same each time.

Seasonal and Limited-Time Cakes

Costco’s bakery team gets creative around holidays. In January 2026, you’ll likely find:

• New Year’s Cake - Silver and gold drizzle over vanilla cake, sometimes with edible glitter.
• Valentine’s Day Heart Cake - Red velvet or chocolate, shaped like a heart, with piped rosettes.
• Super Bowl Cake - Team-colored frosting, sometimes with football designs.
• Easter Bunny Cake - White cake with pastel frosting and a fondant bunny on top.

These aren’t always listed on the menu board. You have to ask. Some locations rotate seasonal cakes based on local demand. A store in Florida might skip the snowman cake but add a tropical pineapple version. Don’t assume it’s available-call ahead.

Customization: What You Can and Can’t Change

Costco lets you personalize cakes-but only within tight limits. You can’t request a custom design like a photo cake or a 3D character. What you can do:

• Choose the flavor (vanilla, chocolate, red velvet)
• Select the size (10-inch standard, or 12-inch for an extra $10)
• Add a message on the top (up to 20 characters, free)
• Request a different color of frosting (e.g., blue instead of white)

They don’t do fondant, sugar flowers, or intricate piping. If you want a cake that looks like a Disney princess or a football player, you’ll need to go elsewhere. But if you want a cake that says “Happy 50th, Dad!” in bold, colorful letters and feeds 20 people, Costco nails it.

Price and Value

In 2026, the standard 10-inch cake still costs $18.99. The 12-inch version is $28.99. That’s less than half the price of a similar cake at Walmart or Target-and a fraction of what you’d pay at a local bakery.

Here’s how it breaks down:

That’s $1 a slice for a cake that doesn’t dry out, doesn’t crumble, and doesn’t require a fork to eat. No other retailer comes close.

How to Order a Costco Cake

Costco doesn’t sell cakes online. You have to visit the bakery counter in person. But here’s how to make it easy:

1. Go to the bakery section-usually near the entrance or next to the food court.
2. Ask for a cake order form. It’s a small clipboard with a checklist.
3. Fill in your flavor, size, message, and pickup date.
4. Most locations require 24-48 hours notice. Weekends are busy-order early.
5. Pay at the front register. You’ll get a receipt with your pickup time.

Pro tip: If you’re in a rush, ask if they have any pre-made cakes in the fridge. Sometimes they have extras from the day before. You can’t customize them, but they’re still $18.99 and ready to go.

What’s Not Available

Costco doesn’t do:

• Gluten-free cakes
• Vegan cakes
• Low-sugar or keto options
• Custom designs or photo cakes
• Mini cupcakes or cake pops

They’ve tested gluten-free options in the past, but demand was too low to keep them stocked. If you need a cake for someone with dietary restrictions, you’ll need to order from a specialty bakery. Costco’s focus is on volume, not niche diets.

How Fresh Are Costco Cakes?

They’re baked fresh daily. Most cakes are made in the morning and kept refrigerated until pickup. The frosting is buttercream, which holds up well at room temperature for 4-6 hours.

One thing to watch: if you pick up your cake in the afternoon, it might have been sitting out for a while. Ask if it was baked that morning. If it was, you’re good. If it was baked yesterday and refrigerated, it’s still fine-but the texture might be slightly denser.

Store it in the fridge if you’re not serving it right away. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cutting for the best texture.

Real Stories from Real Customers

A mom in Texas ordered a chocolate fudge cake for her daughter’s 8th birthday. She was nervous-her daughter had been disappointed by store-bought cakes before. The cake arrived with a perfect “Happy 8th Birthday, Emma!” message in blue frosting. Emma cried when she saw it. The whole family ate it in one sitting.

A small business owner in Minnesota uses Costco cakes for employee birthdays. He says, “It’s the one thing I never have to stress about. Everyone loves it. No complaints. And it’s cheaper than coffee.”

These aren’t fancy cakes. But they’re reliable, delicious, and affordable. That’s why millions of people buy them every year.

Is Costco Still the Best Place for Birthday Cakes?

In 2026, yes-for most people. If you need a cake that’s:

• Big enough for a crowd
• Delivered without hassle
• Under $20
• Consistently good

Then Costco wins. No contest.

If you want artisanal flavors, gluten-free options, or a cake that looks like a movie scene, look elsewhere. But if you just want a cake that people will actually eat and remember fondly? Costco’s birthday cake is still the go-to.

If you’re planning a party and want to avoid the stress of baking or paying $50 for a cake that might not even taste good, Costco’s birthday cake is still the smartest choice. It’s not perfect-but it’s close enough, and it costs less than a latte per person.