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12 Costco Bakery Hidden Gems That Most Shoppers Miss

You don't need a map to find the sweetest buried treasures in this store.

Costco store exterior and featured item
Updated May 9, 2025
Fact checked

Freshly baked desserts and sinfully sweet treats are among the top Costco shoppers' perks that members enjoy. People rave about Kirkland Signature's tiramisu cheesecake, the iconic tuxedo bar, and the ridiculously rich mammoth cupcakes (a.k.a. mini cakes).

While these are popular picks, some absolutely sumptuous ones go under the radar. So we decided to taste our way through Costco's bakery section and found a few hidden gems that deserve the spotlight.

Here's a list of a few bakery desserts you might be missing out on.

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

Kirkland Signature Strawberry Streusel Cheesecake

strawberry treusel cheesecake

Price: $22.99

Costco recently unveiled a new strawberry streusel treat, and the unexpected item is hiding in plain sight.

What do customers think? Redditor miifnkookeez posted, "I have zero regrets buying this…It reminds me of strawberry pretzel salad. It's light and fresh, not super rich like many cheesecakes."

Kirkland Signature Decorated Tuxedo Bar Cake

decorated tuxedo bar cake

Price: $17.99

While the classic features a sleek, sophisticated style, it isn't the only tuxedo in town. Check out the bakery section during your next pre-holiday shopping trip. You might find a dressed-up version of the beloved tuxedo cake. We spotted a springtime tuxedo cake topped with delicately piped frosting flowers.

Rich layers of dense chocolate cake, fluffy chocolate mousse, sweet white chocolate mousse, luxurious dark chocolate ganache, and chocolate cocoa nibs make it a fan favorite.

Kirkland Signature Cookie Trio

cookie trio in pack

Price: $9.99

Tired of plain chocolate chips? This tasty trio includes the OG of cookies, but that's not all. The 24-pack also features often overlooked buttery double nut and oatmeal raisin recipes.

While shoppers enjoy all three varieties, they rave about the mouthwatering macadamia double nut sweets. Redditor Fayjaimike wrote, "Omg, these are ALWAYS the first row to disappear." And according to some Reddit users, some lucky customers scored a whole box of two dozen.

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Kirkland Signature Rugula

chocolate rugula with cream cheese

Price: $10.99

You might miss these flaky, doughy sweets while you're searching for more conventional treats. The Eastern European cookies aren't something you'll find in many superstores or warehouse clubs' bakeries. But at Costco, this foodie find is a seasonal staple.

The 25-ounce variety pack with raspberry walnut, chocolate, and cream cheese filling cookies is a steal. For reference, fourteen ounces of Homestyle Kosher Rugelach costs $14.98 plus shipping from Zabar's (a famous NYC deli store online).

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

methaphum/Adobe person holding a wallet

May brings both warmer weather and major sales with the combo of Mother's Day (May 11) and Memorial Day (May 26). Here are some of the best deals to watch for:

  • Mattresses, furniture, and large appliances
  • Spring clothing clearance
  • Garden plants and outdoor furniture
  • For grocery savings, consider seasonal produce like strawberries, artichokes, and cherries.

Retailers are already prepping for summer while you're just enjoying spring, making May perfect to save money at your favorite retailers.

Kirkland Signature Caramel Tres Leche Bar Cake

caramel tres leche bar cake

Price: $17.99

This indulgent leche (milk) cake hides behind the tuxedo bar, often taking a backseat to its layered chocolate cousin. But this creamy, dreamy dessert also deserves a spot in your cart.

Don't sleep on this bakery bargain if you find it. The caramel, three milk (evaporated, condensed, and whole/cream) custard, and sponge cake isn't available year-round or in all regions.

Kirkland Signature Chocolate Chunk Cookies

chocolate chunk cookies

Price: $9.99

These aren't the same plain cookies you get from the "snack" section. Costco's premium pick is packed with massive chunks of chocolate. And while almost $10 (or $0.42 each) may seem like a lot, consider the quality and quantity in comparison to similar options.

A pack of eight Pepperidge Farms Montauk Chocolate Chip Cookies costs $3.99 at Target ($0.50 each). Not only are they more expensive, but these brand-name treats are definitely not freshly baked.

Upper Crust Bakery Mini Lemon Bites

mini lemon bites

Price: $8.79

Costco showcases the store brand's bakery bargains. As a result, you may need to do a bit of sleuthing just to uncover a few non-Kirkland treats.

We scoured the sweets section and discovered these Meyer lemon bites. This seasonal product boasts a refreshingly sweet flavor, perfectly balanced with a hint of tart citrus taste.

Kirkland Signature Apple Pie

apple pie on display

Price: $12.99

Costco shoppers can't stop talking about the new apple berry berry pie ($15.99), which recently hit the bakery section's shelves.

The delicious mix of fruit has garnered praise, and for a very good reason. But for $3 less, you can score the classic apples-only version. So if you're a pie purist, skip the latest trend and nab the four-plus-pound plain pick.

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Quick tips: How to travel or dine out without going broke

cunaplus/Adobe man traveling with laptop at airport

Thoughtful planning can help you maximize your travel experience without draining your wallet. Here are some tips on how to balance your adventure with a budget:

  • Visit restaurants during happy hour or lunch for lower prices
  • Use cashback dining apps like Seated or credit cards with travel/dining rewards
  • Use price comparison tools like Hopper or Google Flights to track airfare drops
  • Book accommodations with kitchens to prepare some meals yourself

You never know where your most memorable moments will come from. So consider both the emotional and financial value of an experience to find the things that are truly worth your money.

Kirkland Signature Carrot Bar Cake

carrot bar cake in a plastic container

Price: $18.99

The sudden debut of this new addition to Costco's family of bar cakes took shoppers by surprise — in a good way. Cream cheese icing, raisins, toasted walnuts, pineapple, and (of course) carrots make this delicious dessert a pleasant alternative to overly indulgent chocolate and buttercream confections.

Kirkland Signature Sugar Cookies With Sprinkles

sugar cookies with sprinkles

Price: $9.99

You might find a very special springtime surprise hidden away behind tubs of chocolate chip mini cookies and containers of croissants. These sweet, buttery treats have a soft, almost spongy texture and a flavor you'll savor.

Kirkland Signature All Butter Pound Cake

all butter pound cake

Price: $6.99

Sometimes, less is more. Don't let the fancy lemon icing and blueberry goodness of Costco's other popular loaf take anything away from this overlooked item. The all-butter pound cake is rich, moist, and absolutely indulgent in the best way possible.

Kirkland Signature Chocolate Cake Filled With Chocolate Mousse

choco cake filled with choco mousse

Price: $17.99

The latest viral cheesecake trends and artistically decorated party cakes caught your eye. But what about this unadorned option? It may not have fancy frosting flowers, chocolate shavings, or a caramel crust. And that's okay. This 10-inch round hidden gem's chocolate cake and mousse combo is everything you need and more.

Bottom line

Baharlou/Adobe costco wholesale store facade

From a seasonal decorated version of the classic tuxedo cake to chocolate chunk cookies, you don't need a special occasion to indulge in these delicious treats.

And the bargains don't stop here. Save money on groceries that pair perfectly with your favorite desserts. Snag Kirkland Signature's vanilla ice cream or try the store brand generic's heavy whipped cream.

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Author Details

Erica Loop

With more than a decade of experience writing about everything from e-commerce to pets and parenting, FinanceBuzz writer Erica Loop has written for sites such as BuzzFeed, Brit+Co, Tinybeans, Family Education, and Care.com. Erica has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and an MS in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.