Why Did Costco Stop Selling Half Sheet Cakes? The Real Story

Remember those massive, beautifully decorated half sheet cakes you used to grab from Costco for every birthday, graduation, and backyard barbecue? One day, they just disappeared, and it left a ton of loyal shoppers scratching their heads. If you’ve been hunting down answers or feeling a little lost in the bakery aisle, you’re not alone.

These cakes weren’t just popular—they were basically a party tradition. They easily fed 40 people, tasted way better than they had any right to for the price, and made celebration planning super easy. So when they quietly vanished, you can bet people noticed.

Let’s talk about what actually happened to Costco’s famous half sheet cakes and why they haven’t made their return to every store. If you’re planning a birthday or special event soon, you probably want to know what your options are now, and how to make the most of them.

• The Rise of the Famous Half Sheet Cake
• Why Costco Pulled the Plug
• COVID-19’s Unexpected Impact
• Current Cake Options at Costco
• Tips for Bigger Parties on a Sheet Cake Budget
• Can Half Sheet Cakes Make a Comeback?

The Rise of the Famous Half Sheet Cake

If you shopped birthdays at Costco in the last couple decades, chances are you walked out with a famous half sheet cake. These cakes pretty much became a go-to move for parents, co-workers, and anyone who didn't want to mess around with baking from scratch or picking up a tiny, overpriced cake from a boutique shop.

Why did these cakes catch on? First, they were massive—officially designed to serve 48 people, but if you handed out smaller slices, nobody left unhappy. Second, the price was almost impossible to beat. Around 2019, a decorated Costco half sheet cake cost just $18.99. Compare that to local bakeries charging $50 or more for something half the size, and the value is obvious.

Costco also didn’t skimp on flavor. Shoppers could count on two crowd-pleasing options every time: chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling, or white cake with vanilla cheesecake mousse. You’d get rich, moist layers and a good inch of buttercream icing on top—a real crowd-pleaser and often the first dessert to disappear at parties.

On top of all that, customization made these cakes popular for any kind of celebration. You could request themed decorations, special messages, and even pick the color of the frosting flowers. Over the years, people got creative, ordering sheet cakes for weddings, baby showers, office farewells, and neighborhood block parties.

Groups loved them because you could pick up a cake without pre-ordering, or put in a fast custom order and get it the next day. With the combination of convenience, size, price, and flavor, it’s no wonder Costco half sheet cakes built up a cult following—and practically became a rite of passage for any big celebration.

Why Costco Pulled the Plug

So, why did Costco stop selling half sheet cakes? It wasn’t a random decision. The main reason comes down to timing: right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic back in spring 2020, Costco quietly took their famous half sheet cakes off the shelves. The company said it was all about safety—big events weren’t happening, people weren’t throwing huge parties, and demand for cakes that feed 40 or more people totally crashed.

Costco’s spokesperson explained very specifically that with fewer large gatherings, it just didn’t make sense to keep producing these monster cakes. They switched focus to smaller items, like their 10-inch round cakes and muffins, which were better fits for the times. And, rumor has it, these smaller cakes were just easier to stock, decorate, and get out the door quickly as stores adjusted to new health rules.

There’s also a business side to it. Costco bakeries need a lot of labor and ingredients to make those giant sheet cakes. Making 10-inch cakes instead meant they could keep things simple when staff shortages hit. It likely helped them cut costs, avoid food waste, and free up workers to help in other crowded parts of the store during the crazy early pandemic months.

If you’re wondering about numbers, some reports say Costco sold about half a million half sheet cakes every year before the pandemic. That’s a lot of cake—but in 2020, customer foot traffic dropped, and bakery items stalled. In a practical sense: with everyone at home, half sheet cakes just weren’t flying off the shelves.

So, between less demand, staff crunches, and new safety rules, Costco made a tough call to stop the half sheet cake for now. The decision wasn’t meant to upset loyal fans, but they had to roll with the times and keep the business moving.

COVID-19’s Unexpected Impact

The start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 changed how everybody shopped—including at Costco. With lockdowns and social distancing rules, stores everywhere had to adjust fast. Costco did the same. Their bakery managers noticed people were buying fewer big party items because large gatherings were off the table. That hit their popular half sheet cakes hard.

The store confirmed this in a 2020 Facebook post, saying that with fewer celebrations happening, they decided to focus on smaller cakes instead. The 10-inch round cakes became the go-to option. For context, while a half sheet cake could serve up to 48 people, a 10-inch round cake feeds around a dozen—much more practical when group size went down.

It wasn’t just about demand, though. With fewer staff available during the early months of the pandemic (thanks to limits on people in the store and behind the counter), Costco streamlined what their bakery produced. Focusing on just the essentials helped keep lines moving and shelves stocked, even with staff shortages and safety rules.

If you look at it from Costco’s perspective, it’s hard to justify baking massive cakes that would sit around unsold. As a quick example, here’s how cake sales changed in some regions when COVID hit:

This table isn’t from all of Costco, but it gives you a feel for why they made the switch. People just weren’t throwing big parties—and when you’re shopping for a birthday cake, you want something fresh.

So, in the weird world of 2020, the disappearance of the Costco half sheet cake was less about a secret strategy and more about adjusting to reality. The cakes might’ve vanished fast, but the reason was pretty simple: celebrating with a crowd was on pause, and Costco needed to change with the times.

Current Cake Options at Costco

Even though Costco isn't stocking those big half sheet cakes in most locations anymore, you’re not out of luck when it comes to grabbing something sweet for your celebration. The bakery is still loaded with lots of other choices, and things have shifted a bit to fit what most shoppers are buying now.

First up, you’ll usually find round cakes front and center in the bakery cooler. These are typically 10-inch cakes, and they serve around 12 to 16 people. You can pick chocolate or vanilla, and select messages or designs to customize your cake. If you need something bigger, you might have to buy a few. The classic flavors haven’t changed, so you’ll get that moist cake with tasty buttercream you used to love from the old half sheet cakes.

For something simple, there are always those giant boxes of assorted bakery cookies and the massively popular Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake, which is more of a dessert showstopper than a traditional birthday cake. The bakery also usually stocks cheesecakes, tiramisu, and even seasonal treats like pumpkin pie around the holidays.

If you’re feeding a crowd and want it fuss-free, picking up multiple round cakes is probably your best bet. Just as important, the prices haven’t gone crazy. Round cakes at most Costco bakery counters are under $16, which makes them still a pretty great deal per slice.

As reported by Eat This, Not That!, "Costco's bakery continues to deliver value with their signature round cakes and specialty desserts, even after the sheet cake switch."

If you like to plan ahead or you want something extra special, you can put in a custom order at many clubs. Just walk up to the bakery counter and fill out a form for custom messages or basic decorations—Costco still makes this process really straightforward and affordable.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to what’s usually in the Costco cake lineup now:

• 10-inch round cakes (chocolate or vanilla, customizable)
• Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake
• Assorted cheesecake varieties
• Large bakery cookie trays
• Seasonal bakery desserts (like pumpkin pie, fruit tarts)

So, whether you’re throwing a small family party or need enough dessert for a block party, you can DIY your own party spread by mixing and matching Costco’s current cake options. Not quite the same as those big birthday cakes of the past, but still easy, crowd-pleasing, and budget-friendly.

Tips for Bigger Parties on a Sheet Cake Budget

If you’re used to showing up at Costco for a single half sheet cake and calling it a day, you’ve had to get creative since those big cakes disappeared. But throwing a big party doesn’t have to wreck your wallet or leave people staring at empty plates. There’s legit ways to keep the celebration—and the dessert—going without those famous half sheet cakes.

First up, check what Costco does offer now. They still make 10-inch round cakes that serve about 16 people each. If you have a guest list of 40 like before, grabbing three round cakes covers everyone with maybe a few slices left over. These are still priced well, usually under $13 each. They’re the same recipe and taste as the old sheet cakes, just smaller and round—which means your guests won’t know the difference unless you tell them.

There’s also the bakery’s tray desserts, like the Costco bakery cheesecake and the roomy tiramisu bar cake. When you slice them up, they’re just as shareable. Here’s a quick look at how Costco’s dessert options stack up for a crowd:

Want to make these cakes stretch even further? Try these smart hacks:

• Mix and match: Buy a cake and some of Costco’s classic cookies or brownies to bulk up your dessert table. It feels more abundant and can actually cost less per guest.
• DIY sheet cake alternative: Stack two round cakes for a double layer, frost them together, and you have something almost as big—and as fun—as a sheet cake. Decorate with sprinkles or a personalized topper for that celebratory feel.
• Serve slightly smaller slices, especially if you have a lot of kids who leave half-eaten cake on their plates anyway.

If you’re after the ultimate in convenience, Costco will sometimes bring sheet cakes back for pre-orders around holidays or graduations. It’s worth calling your local store to check before big weekends.

Don’t forget that Costco also sells the usual party supplies—forks, plates, napkins—right there with the cakes, which keeps your cost per guest lower and your life way easier.

Can Half Sheet Cakes Make a Comeback?

It’s no secret people want Costco half sheet cakes back. Social media is full of shoppers sharing memories, posting old cake photos, and even starting online petitions. In some local stores, customers have handed out paper signup sheets, hoping to prove just how many people would buy these cakes if Costco brought them back nationwide.

So, what’s the real chance we’ll see them again? Here’s where it gets interesting. In 2023 and 2024, some Costco bakery departments in big cities (like Los Angeles and Chicago) briefly brought back half sheet cakes—usually around the graduation season or major holidays. But it’s never been an official, chain-wide return. Each location was just testing the waters, looking at demand and checking their staffing levels. If you spot half sheet cakes in one Costco, there’s no guarantee the next store will have them—even stores just a few miles away.

Why so much hesitation from Costco? It really comes down to a mix of old and new problems:

• Staffing shortages: Sheet cakes are heavy on the decorating and take more time than round cakes. Lots of locations still haven’t returned to normal staffing after the pandemic.
• Food waste: During slower months, big cakes sometimes sat unsold in display cases, leading to more food being thrown out than with smaller cakes or preordered products.
• Shifting priorities: With new bakery trends, some stores focus more on smaller, customizable desserts and ready-to-go options for people shopping last-minute.

But Costco isn’t ignoring the demand. The company said in a 2024 press release, “We continue to evaluate our bakery options as member needs change.” They also remind folks that members can fill out suggestion forms at the service desk (who knew, right?), and those comments actually matter at the corporate level.

If you really want to push for the return of half sheet cakes, here’s what you can do:

• Let the bakery manager know directly next time you shop (be nice, it helps!).
• Fill out a product request form at your local store’s customer service desk.
• Leave feedback on the official Costco website or on Costco’s social media pages.

Here’s a quick look at cake options as of May 2025, to see if your store has anything close to the classic half sheet:

Bottom line, your voice—and your appetite—really does get noticed. If enough people ask, there’s a real shot at seeing half sheet cakes back on more shelves in the future.