Costco is known for its large selection of foods and household items available in bulk quantities at warehouse prices. One popular item often purchased for special events and parties is their sheet cakes. So does Costco sell sheet cakes? The short answer is yes, Costco does offer sheet cakes in their bakery department.
Costco Sheet Cake Overview
Costco sheet cakes are rectangular cakes sold in quarter, half, and full sheet sizes. They are frosted cakes typically made with vanilla or chocolate cake and frosting. The cakes are decorated simply with the writing and decorations requested by the customer.
Some key features of Costco’s sheet cake include:
- Available in chocolate, vanilla, and marble cake flavors
- Quarter sheet feeds up to 15 people
- Half sheet feeds up to 30 people
- Full sheet feeds up to 60 people
- Decorated with writing/designs per customer request
- Sold already frosted
- Typically costs $15-$20 for quarter sheet, $20-$30 for half sheet, $40-$50 for full sheet
The Costco bakery also offers custom, special order sheet cakes with more intricate designs and decorations for an additional price. So whether a customer needs a cake for a birthday, graduation, retirement, or other celebration, Costco does sell sheet cakes.
Costco Sheet Cake Ordering
To order a sheet cake at Costco, customers have a couple different options:
- Order in-person at the bakery counter at Costco warehouses
- Order online from Costco.com
When ordering in the warehouse, customers can work directly with the bakery staff to select the cake flavor, filling, size, writing, decorations, and pick-up date that fits their needs. Online ordering allows customers to select those cake details as well but without having to visit the store.
Costco recommends ordering sheet cakes at least 48 hours in advance if needing it for a specific date. Same day orders are usually not possible as the bakery needs adequate time to bake, decorate, and prepare the cake.
Costco Sheet Cake Flavors
Costco gives customers options when it comes to sheet cake flavors. The basic cake choices are chocolate or vanilla, but fillings can be added to take the cake to the next level. Here are the available sheet cake flavors at Costco:
- Chocolate cake
- Vanilla cake
- Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling
- Vanilla cake with strawberry filling
- Marble cake with a swirl of chocolate and vanilla cake
The chocolate and vanilla cakes are simple single layer cakes frosted with buttercream frosting. For a more decadent cake, customers can choose the filled versions. The chocolate mousse or strawberry filling adds moisture and flavor between two layers of cake.
Costco Sheet Cake Decorations
Costco sheet cakes come simply decorated with writing and minimal extra decorations. Customers can choose from a variety of decorative options:
- Writing on cake top – Name, message, congratulations, happy birthday, etc.
- Basic borders – Smooth, scalloped, zig zag, dots, etc.
- Basic shapes – Stars, rosettes, flowers, etc.
- Themed decorations – Graduate cap, baby items, wedding symbols, sports balls, etc.
- Custom logos – Company logos can be added (requires advance notice)
The Costco bakery includes the writing on the cake price. Extra decorations and more complex designs cost a bit more. Airbrushing and fondant decorations are not available.
Benefits of Costco Sheet Cakes
There are several benefits that make Costco sheet cakes a popular choice for events and parties:
- Cost – Costco’s prices are very budget-friendly, especially for the cake size
- Customization – Customers can personalize with writing and decorations
- Flavor options – Chocolate, vanilla, and marble give classic cake choices
- Convenience – Order online or in-warehouse for fast, easy process
- Feed a crowd – Quarter to full sheets feed 15 to 60 people
- Well-reviewed – Customers give positive reviews of taste and quality
When looking for a sheet cake that’s affordable, tasty, and feeds a large group, Costco fits the bill for many shoppers.
Costco Sheet Cake Reviews
Overall, customer reviews of Costco’s sheet cake are quite positive. Here are some common pros and cons mentioned:
Pros
- Moist, flavorful cake
- Smooth, creamy frosting
- Affordable price
- Cakes look good
- Convenient to order
- Cakes feed large groups
Cons
- Minimal decoration options
- Changes to orders sometimes missed
- Can be inconsistent between locations
- Needs 48 hour minimum order time
- Frosting is too sweet for some
Looking at various customer reviews online, it appears the pros of Costco’s sheet cakes outweigh the cons for most shoppers. They offer a lot of bang for your buck that feeds hungry crowds.
Costco Sheet Cake Alternatives
If the Costco sheet cakes don’t meet a customer’s needs, there are alternative stores to consider for sheet cakes. Here are some top options:
| Store | Cake Info | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sam’s Club | Quarter, half, full sheets in chocolate, vanilla, marble | $16-$55 |
| BJs | Serves 20-50 people, some themed designs | $15-$35 |
| Walmart | Quarter, half, full sheets with themed designs | $15-$45 |
| Publix | Three sizes offered with custom designs | $35-$90 |
| Grocery store bakeries | Basic quarter, half, full sheets | $20-$50 |
Grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and bakeries can all offer sheet cakes with varying options for flavors, fillings, frostings, decorations, and prices. Costco remains a top choice for many shoppers wanting quality cakes at budget prices.
Costco Half Sheet Cake vs Full Sheet Cake
When deciding on sheet cake size for a party or event, customers may wonder how Costco’s half sheet and full sheet cakes compare. Here is a breakdown:
| Cake Size | Half Sheet | Full Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12 x 16 inches | 12 x 24 inches |
| Number of Slices | 48 slices | 96 slices |
| Number Served | 30 people | 60 people |
| Price Range | $20-$30 | $40-$50 |
As shown in the table, the full sheet cake is double the size and servings of the half sheet. So the full sheet works well for larger gatherings of 50-60 people, while the half sheet is best for groups of 25-30. The full sheet gives more cake for your money, costing just $10-$20 more than the half sheet.
Costco vs Sam’s Club Sheet Cakes
Sam’s Club and Costco are two major warehouse chains that compete on prices for bulk items. Both offer sheet cakes, so how do they compare? Here are similarities and differences between Costco and Sam’s Club sheet cakes:
Similarities
- Offer quarter, half, and full sheet cake sizes
- Have chocolate, vanilla, and marble cake flavors
- Allow custom writing when ordering
- Require 1-2 days advance order notice
- Comes decorated with frosting
- Feed groups ranging from 15 to 60+ people
Differences
| Features | Costco | Sam’s Club |
|---|---|---|
| Filling Options | Chocolate mousse, strawberry | Berry, chocolate mousse, Bavarian cream |
| Frosting | Buttercream | Buttercream or whipped |
| Decorations | Very basic | More decorative options |
| Price Range | $15-$50 | $16-$55 |
In summary, Sam’s Club offers a few more customizable options like fillings and decorations, but Costco sheet cakes are comparable in size, flavor, quality, and pricing.
Conclusion
Costco does sell high quality, affordable sheet cakes that can feed large gatherings. Customers can choose from chocolate, vanilla, or marble cakes with options like chocolate mousse or strawberry fillings. Half sheet cakes serve 30 and full sheets serve 60, making them ideal for parties and events. The ordering process is convenient in-warehouse or online. Reviews show most customers are pleased with the taste, freshness, and appearance of Costco’s sheet cakes, especially considering the budget pricing. While decorations are minimal, the cakes provide lots of value. When needing a sheet cake for a big crowd, Costco is a solid choice.