10 Costco Freezer Desserts That Are Better (And Cheaper) than a Real Bakery’s

Satisfy your sweet tooth without breaking the bank. We've got the top smart Costco shopping hacks for saving money on everything from macarons to cheesecakes. And these tips don't require you to cut coupons, download an app, or search through circulars.

Swap pricey bakery buys for our favorite frozen finds from Costco. You already know the warehouse club has can't-miss deals on everyday essentials and ready-to-heat-and-eat meals. But that's not all. Our roundup features the top frozen desserts (and a few refrigerated ones that you can freeze for later) that rival gourmet goodies from bakeries and specialty stores.

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

Price: $8.99

Get the light, airy sweetness of a French macaron and the rich, indulgent taste of Italian gelato in one frozen treat. And if you wonder whether these cookies can stand up to a deep freeze, Redditor hagenmeyp notes, "Even though frozen, the macarons are pillowy soft right out of the freezer. No broken teeth, just creamy, dreamy, delicious bites."

At under $9 for 16, these sweets are a steal. Specialty bakery retailer Chelles Macarons sells a 12-count box of the traditional treats (sans gelato) for $30 online.

That puts Costco's price at about 56 cents per sandwich, compared with $2.50 per traditional macaron from Chelles. Even better, Costco's frozen version combines two desserts in one, making it an easy way to stretch your dessert budget without giving up an indulgent treat.

Price: $18.99

No, you won't find this pecan-topped treat with the frozen food. But that doesn't mean you can't pop it into your freezer. Decadent layers of maple-flavored cake, brown butter mousse, vanilla sponge, and whipped maple butter make this refrigerated Costco find a top seller.

And if that sounds too rich to eat ASAP, take it from Redditor Sunshine-baby94, "Slice it and freeze it. Thaw slices in the fridge the same day or overnight. Haven't tried it with this specific cake from there, but we do it with their tuxedo cake, and it works great!"

Freezing individual slices can also make a large bakery cake easier to portion, so you only thaw what you plan to eat. At $18.99, the cake can do double duty for a celebration and future desserts, helping you avoid buying another sweet treat later.

Price: $12.97

Are you looking for a bite-sized treat? These minis are perfect if a full bakery cheesecake is more than you can handle. Get 24 of the 1.5-ounce frozen cakes in each pack (eight original, eight chocolate, and eight strawberry swirl). At $12.97, that's a can't-miss deal you won't get from specialty bakery retailers (or e-tailers). Swiss Colony sells a 24-piece box of assorted cheesecake bites for $32.99.

That works out to about 54 cents per Costco cheesecake, compared with about $1.37 per bite from Swiss Colony. Costco's newer variety pack gives you three flavors, so check the box before buying if flavor selection matters to you. Either way, 24 individual portions make these an easy choice for parties, family desserts, or anyone who wants a little cheesecake without committing to a full-size slice.

Price: $18.99

Like the Maple Butter Pecan Bar, this Kirkland Signature refrigerated cake is easy to freeze. This iconic fan favorite is one of the most popular Costco buys — and you won't find the delicious deal at a specialty store or in another retailer's bakery.

Shoppers don't just think this is better than a bakery version. Some also like it more than homemade cakes. Reddit user theeWildOlive raved, "I am an avid baker and 'from scratch' snob, and I love this thing. We are a household of two, so I have learned it freezes well, too."

The cake combines chocolate cake, white chocolate mousse, chocolate mousse, brownie chunks, chocolate ganache, and chocolate decorations, so one purchase gives you several rich textures in every bite. At $18.99, it can also cover dessert for a gathering without the cost of ordering individual bakery slices.

Price: $14.40

Between the flaky pastry and creamy egg custard, these tiny tarts are a dessert-lovers dream. Get 18 of the minis in each 2.38-pound pack for less than $15. The heat-and-eat treats are an easy (and affordable) addition to a party dessert buffet.

How do these tarts stack up to the bakery version? Costco Redditor dicecat4 wrote a glowing review, "These are delicious…rich and creamy…not far off of the real thing IMO."

Costco lists the product as 38.1 ounces, with flaky puff pastry shells and rich, creamy egg custard. At $14.40, you're paying about 80 cents per tart. That's a handy way to serve a Portuguese-inspired dessert to a crowd without buying individual pastries from a specialty bakery.

Price: $18.99

Costco's "bar" cakes aren't the only refrigerated bakery-rivaling sweet treats you can freeze. This classic plain cheesecake is delicious as-is. Or, if you dare, dress it up with fresh-cut fruit and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

A slice of the Cheesecake Factory's original flavor dessert costs $9.95. Save money at Costco with the store's generic Kirkland Signature brand buy. Get a full four-plus-pound plain cheesecake for less than $20.

Even if you divide the cake into 16 portions, the Costco price works out to about $1.19 per serving. That's a lot more dessert for your dollar, and the plain flavor gives you plenty of room to add berries, chocolate, caramel, or another topping without paying extra for a specialty flavor.

Price: $22.99

This refrigerated ready-to-freeze cake is at the higher end of Costco's price spectrum. But that doesn't mean it's more expensive than what a specialty store, cafe, or bakery charges. And the retailer's customers don't seem to mind the higher-than-average (for the warehouse club) cost.

Costco subredditor ocean_crustacean wrote, "I just bought this cake 100 percent worth the money. I went back for slices three times, and my family couldn't get enough of it. If it's in your family's budget, I'd definitely buy it 'cause it's amazing."

At $22.99, the 9-inch cake is a splurge within Costco's bakery, but it is still a budget-friendly party option compared to most competitors. Freezing leftover portions can also help you spread that purchase over more than one dessert occasion instead of letting extra cake go to waste.

Price: $9.99

Score a 12-count of these delicious donuts for under $10. You'll get 12 of the ready-to-heat-and-eat plain frozen treats and 12 glaze packs (strawberry, sugar, and chocolate flavors) in each box. Toss the treats into your air fryer for two minutes, remove the sweets, and cover them with decadent, ooey, gooey glaze.

At $9.99, each donut costs about 83 cents, making the box an inexpensive way to try the mochi-donut trend at home. The donuts are individually wrapped, and the variety pack gives you three glaze options without requiring a separate topping purchase. The mochi-style texture also gives these treats a chewy center instead of the texture of a traditional cake or yeast donut. If you're feeding a group, the 12-count box makes it easy to portion out dessert without buying a full bakery assortment.

Price: $22.99

Not a fan of plain cheesecake? Costco's refrigerated bakery buys feature more than just the basic variety. Graham cracker crust, an indulgent layer of sour cream, cheesecake filling, a sweet cherry topping, and white buttercream accents make this a top choice among the store's shoppers.

Even though you can freeze this delish dessert, you might not want to. Reddit user blunova86 wrote, "We bought this for New Year's. We said we would freeze whatever we didn't eat. LOL. That was funny."

At $22.99, it's pricier than Costco's plain cheesecake, but the cherry topping gives you a ready-to-serve dessert without spending extra on fruit or sauce. If you're hosting, one whole cheesecake can also be portioned into multiple slices, helping you serve a crowd without buying individual desserts.

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Price: $17.99

Prep for a party and nab this better-than-a-bakery cake. Two layers of white cake, white buttercream, vanilla mousse, and icing decor make this freezer-ready bargain-buy a festive dessert. You can eat the sweet treat right now or save part of this pick for later.

At $17.99, this 10-inch cake serves about 16 people, putting the cost at roughly $1.12 per serving. Costco's cake also uses its signature vanilla cheesecake mousse filling, giving a simple white cake a richer center without the need to add frosting or fillings yourself. It's an especially useful pick when you need a ready-made birthday or celebration dessert on a budget. And because leftovers can be portioned before freezing, you can make one bakery purchase stretch beyond a single event.

Fancy frosted cakes, decadent donuts, and tasty tarts don't always come from a specialty bakery. Our favorite frozen (and soon-to-be frozen refrigerated) Costco finds are 10/10 for taste and price.

Whether you need to fill out a party-ready dessert buffet or just want a sweet after-dinner treat, we've got you covered with bakery bargains that combine quality and cost. The biggest savings come from choosing larger packs and whole cakes when you can use them, then freezing portions so less food goes to waste. That way, a Costco dessert purchase can cover more than one occasion instead of becoming an impulse buy that sits in the fridge.

Are you looking for more ways to save on your next members-only club shopping trip? Use the top cash back credit cards to earn cash back or perks on eligible frozen foods and other purchases.