You don’t order it in the moment.
Not if you actually want a decent sheet cake.
I have eaten Costco cakes since I was old enough to know what sugar was. They set the baseline for me. Every other sheet cake is compared against this, and every other sheet cake fails.
So you have to plan. It’s a minor hurdle. The reward is a slice of dessert that defies the $15 price tag.
Here is how to navigate the process without losing your mind.
How to Order
Walk into the store. Find the bakery. It smells like yeast and success.
If you want something off the shelf, sure. Go for it. But the inventory is first-come, first-served. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. If you want custom text, or specific frosting colors, you have to pre-order.
Find the white kiosk with the red “CAKE ORDER SELECTION” text. Fill out the paper form. Write legibly. This is critical. I asked a baker for his best tip. He told me to check your details. Twice. Wrong number. No cake.
Drop it in the slot.
Make sure you leave at least 24 hours before you need the thing.
Costco closes for major holidays. New Year’s, Easter, Memorial, Independence, Labor, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Don’t be that person who shows up on July 4th expecting service.
Can you order online?
Yes. Now.
They updated the app. You don’t even need the paper form if you don’t want to.
Open the Costco app. Find the custom cake button. If it’s missing, update your app or log out and log back in. You can place the order for pickup three days ahead. Up to two weeks.
You’ll get an email. It has pickup info. You can change your mind or cancel before you show up. Just remember this is only in the app. The website won’t do it for you yet.
The Menu (It’s short)
Keep expectations in check. The menu is not extensive. It’s efficient.
Two sizes.
- 10-inch round : Serves 16. Good for families.
- Half-sheet : Serves 48. Good for office parties.
Two flavors.
- White cake with vanilla cheesecake mousse.
- Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse.
That’s it. No marble. No strawberry. No gluten-free. You can’t mix them up, either. No white cake with chocolate frosting. Don’t try to get creative here. The system isn’t built for it.
You can add balloons, candles, or roses. You can add text. The bear topper is popular. I think it’s cute. You can ask for the cake to be scored for slicing too. That’s a nice touch. Saves you from sawing at a 50-pound slab.
The Cost
Prices don’t fluctuate much. Not by flavor. Not by decoration.
The round is roughly $16. The sheet is $25.
It’s a steal. You should verify with your local store just in case, but these numbers hold.
Is it actually good?
Ask a baker. Ask me. Ask the guy at the office holiday party.
Yes.
The vanilla is light. The mousse adds a tang that keeps it from being cloying. It feels sophisticated despite the mass production. The chocolate is dense. Decadent. It tastes like a pastry shop secret sold in bulk.
I’ve used them for graduations. Weddings (as a secondary cake). Random Tuesday nights because I needed sugar.
It’s never bad.
Should you care?
