Ordering Custom Cakes From Costco

I have written several posts about the Costco bakery (To Buy or Not to Buy From the Bakery (Part 1 of 2): Advice from a Professional); (To Buy or Not to Buy From the Bakery (Part 2 of 2): Advice From a Bakery Employee); (Summer Bakery Desserts at Costco)). The bakery sells a variety of breakfast pastries, breads, cookies, pies, and cakes. In addition to the items that can be bought “as-is” in the store, Costco sells custom-made cakes for special occasions. I have never ordered one of these cakes and didn’t know how it worked. I read a few articles about he process which apparently is not entirely intuitive. Therefore, i figured I’d write about some of the information helpful to know before ordering one of the cakes. 

1. Prepare to order in person

Custom cakes cannot be ordered online in the United States. Instead, members are expected to go to the “cake order kiosk” in the bakery section, complete an order from, and leave it in the order box. This process takes place without interacting in person with employees.

I was very surprised to read that there is not an online ordering option. I wonder about the reasoning given how easy it is to set up ordering and how difficult it can be to read handwriting! The article mentions that people may feel uncomfortable leaving the form in the box vs handing it to someone because they may be afraid that no one will see it. I can understand this fear and would rather interact with someone. However, the article claims that the process has worked for years. 

2. Bring your membership card and payment at the time of pick up

The forms inform members of the dates and times for picking cakes up. (Usually at least 24 hours or 48 hours for larger cakes and/or at busier times). Only members can order custom cakes. Therefore, membership cards must be shown when picking up the cakes. In addition, payment is required at time of pickup.

24-48 hours sounds like a quick turnaround time, making it appealing to buy the cakes at Costco. I am surprised that payment occurs at time of pickup. I’d worry that people would order a cake and then not pick it up. However , Costco keeps track of purchases, so I imagine that if members repeatedly ordered cakes that they did not pay for, the store could deal with it. 

3. Be aware of the limited flavors and design options 

Costco offers only two flavors for the cakes In the United States. Members can order either a white cake with white icing and a vanilla cheesecake mousse filling or a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and a chocolate mousse filling. Although there are more than two design options, they are also limited. The number of design options varies across locations and additional options may be available seasonally or for certain occasions. On addition, a few items can be combined for creative designs, using the limited options available. 

I am fine with only being able to choose from chocolate or vanilla. However, I would like to be able to have the cake without the filling (especially for a children’s party). I would also like to mix and match the two flavors. For example, I’d like to order a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. I’m curious as to why these are not options, as the variations would not require any additional ingredients. However, any variations add steps and room for mistakes. The limited flavors and designs are consistent with not having to obsess over options at Costco (Freedom of or from choice?). However, if buying a cake for a children’s birthday party, members may want more options, as children may have specific preferences regarding type of cake. I remember some themed cakes growing up, including a cabbage patch kid cake (me) and a soccer cake (my brother). 

4. Be specific about desired writing and design color

The forms are the place for members to indicate specifications for what words and colors they want. It is important to know that some frosting colors have flavors (e.g., red, purple, and pink are bitter). Members can also note a preference for designs to be made with favorite colors.

I was surprised to learn that frosting colors do not all taste the same. Growing up, I went through a phase of adding good coloring to water (the red was creepy!) or cookie dough before baking it. I never noticed a different taste. When reading the suggestion to be specific about decorations, I was expecting a reference to “cake wrecks.” For those unfamiliar, there is a very funny website in which the creator posts pictures of cakes on which the design instructions were taken too literally (e.g., the cake itself might say “”Happy Birthday Sam in blue icing on right side of cake”). If you haven’t seen the website, I highly recommend visiting it.

5. Members can decorate cakes themselves

Given the limited set of design options, some members may prefer to decorate a plain cake themselves. They can leave the decoration section empty on the form. However, the bakery suggests noting on the form that they prefer a plain cake so that the bakery does not think they just forgot to fill out that section.

I like the option of ordering a plain cake and then decorating it myself. It is obviously easier to have Costco do the decorations. However, in case of wanting something specific, it is nice to be able to have the cake made and then be creative.

6. Plan ahead for holidays

As mentioned above, the wait time may be longer during busy holiday times. In addition, members need to keep in mind that Costco is closed on several holidays.Therefore,  cakes need to be ordered and picked up before the holiday.

It is helpful to be reminded that Costco is closed on days that grocery stores and other stores remain opened. It is nice for the employees to have the day off and members need to remember and plan accordingly.

7. Prices differ depending on the shape and size

Cakes come in two sizes. Round cakes are 10 inches in diameter and serve 16 people. They cost $16. Half-sheet cakes serve 48 people. They cost $29.99. There is no charge for decorations. 

The sheet cake is a better deal but the round cakes are more appealing to me. I like the overall appearance better and also prefer wedge pieces than square ones. I always find it funny to see a number of people a cake will serve because I rarely get that many servings. I prefer larger slices!

8. Custom cakes cannot be returned or refunded 

Although Costco allows returns on most food items, the policy does not apply to custom cakes. Apparently, the logic is that Costco cannot resell custom cakes. The exception to this rule is if Costco made an error in the preparation of the cake. Therefore, one article suggests that members take a picture of their order forms before submitting it. 

I like the idea of taking a picture of the form. I am not surprised that Costco would refund a cake on which the store made an error. I am surprised that Costco distinguishes between custom cakes and other foods due to not being able to resell the former. I don’t think that Costco should refund custom cakes (again, unless it was a store error). However, given that Costco throws out all returned food (even unopened), I don’t follow the logic. 

9. Costco cakes freeze well

Freezing the cakes is recommended for maintaining freshness before serving originally and saving leftovers. The suggested method for most effective freezing is to freeze the cake without covering it for an hour to allow the frosting to harden. This technique prevents the design from getting smashed by covering later on. Then, the cake should be covered in two tight layers of plastic wrap to keep out moisture. Finally, a layer of foil Insulates the cake to prevent freezer burn. This method keeps cakes fresh for up to two months. When time to eat the cake, it will defrost the best overnight in the fridge.

I have written before about freezing other bakery items (Best Costco Items to Freeze). ( have frozen many cakes and other bakery items in the past and they tend to last very well. I actually recently had some Passover cake from Costco from last April (Product Review: World of Chantilly Passover 7-layer cake). It was still quite good. True, Passover cake is different from other cake, but after 7-8 months, it is still impressive that it is not only edible but actually enjoyable!

10. Costco cakes work well as wedding cakes

Apparently, many members have been pleased with Costco cakes as their wedding cakes. The bakery suggests white roses to decorate these cakes. Some Costco stores offer wedding cake options specifically but they will not be tired. However, a few Costco cakes can be combined to create a larger, creative wedding cake. 

I have written about Costco as a place for a wedding (Wedding registries and ceremonies at Costco?). However, as much as I like Costco, I cannot see buying a wedding cake there. 

Have you ordered a custom cake from Costco? Were you satisfied?