10 Costco Bakery Facts Only Super Fans Would Know

Not every Costco bakery item is made in-house

The bakery department at Costco is undeniably a powerhouse of production, consistency, and quality. Each day, the section is brimming with an array of cakes, pies, cookies, and pastries. This might lead some to wonder: How does Costco manage to bake everything in-house?

The answer is more complex than it seems. Many popular bakery items at Costco are not made from scratch or even prepared on-site. According to discussions among former Costco bakers on Reddit, the bakery only produces a limited selection of items in-house. Many beloved products, such as butter croissants, bagels, Danishes, and certain artisan breads, are delivered pre-made and frozen. Additionally, items like cheesecakes, fruit pies, and some of their renowned layered cakes come from prepackaged mixes for fillings and mousses. These products are typically just baked, packaged, and garnished in-store.

However, the Reddit users in the same discussion noted that the Costco bakery team does create delicious and crunchy loaves of bread, including multigrain, country-style, garlic, and rosemary varieties. Moreover, the pecan, apple, lemon meringue, and popular seasonal pumpkin pies are made fresh in-house.

Costco's approach to dividing certain bakery items between in-house baking and pre-made purchases is driven by the need for consistency and efficiency. Products like butter croissants and bagels require advanced bread-making and viennoiserie skills to be profitable. By sourcing some items pre-made, Costco can ensure uniformity across its global stores.

Costco's 100% refund policy covers baked goods

Costco is widely recognized for its outstanding customer service and dedication to quality, regardless of the situation. Planning to return an entire cake or a box of chocolate chip cookies? No worries—Costco's generous refund policy includes bakery items.

In discussions among Reddit users, it has been noted that Costco readily accepts returns from the bakery section or any food products, even if they've been partially consumed. While customers shouldn't expect a full refund for an empty muffin box, they can return at least 50% of any bakery or food item, whether it's been partially eaten or not. However, keep in mind that Costco does not accept returns on customized cakes or food trays. If your items fall within these guidelines, you should be good to go.

The return process is quite straightforward—just bring the unwanted baked goods to a cashier, and after a quick assessment, they will usually issue a refund without any hassle. This flexible return policy reflects Costco's commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction. It's this dedication that keeps members renewing their subscriptions annually and returning to shop at their stores.

This could be a game-changing tip for your Costco shopping experience. It’s particularly useful if you’re not thrilled with a new dessert you wanted to try or if you accidentally bought an expired product.

You can order customized sheet cakes for any occasion

Sampling one of the bakery department's signature customizable sheet cakes is a must for Costco members. You have two delicious choices: a white cake filled with vanilla cheesecake mousse and topped with white buttercream, or a chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse and covered in buttercream. These delectable cakes are perfect for larger gatherings, as a single cake can serve approximately 48 people!

Ordering a sheet cake is straightforward, primarily because Costco has not yet modernized its cake ordering system. It still uses the original pen-and-paper form that has been in place since customizable sheet cakes were introduced. To place your order, head to the bakery department and find the cake ordering station. Once there, select your preferred flavor and design. Remember to note the pickup date and time, and it's wise to place your order at least one day in advance to ensure the staff has enough time to prepare it for your event.

Many Costco members prefer this method over ordering at the counter and waiting in line. For the employees, the pen-and-paper system streamlines the process by eliminating the possibility of personalized designs or unusual requests, thereby enhancing the bakery's production efficiency.

Some Costco locations sell frozen sweets to bake at home

If you've ever bought a box of pastries or bread from Costco, you know how tough it can be to finish them before they go stale. Fortunately, there's a solution: you can request a box of your favorite baked goods frozen and uncooked for a fraction of the cost. This Costco frozen cookie trick is available at select U.S. locations, though it's quite common in Canadian warehouses. Just head to the bakery counter and ask an employee which items—like bagels, cookies, or pastries—are available frozen in bulk. They'll prepare it for you to take home.

In the U.S., frozen bakery items are more commonly found at Costco Business Centers, but it's still worth checking your local store. While this option may be limited to certain areas, it truly maximizes Costco's bulk buying approach—perfect for when you're hosting an event and need to feed a large crowd.

Bakery orders can be delivered to your front door

Although the traditional sheet cake ordering method is still available, you can now conveniently place bakery orders online and have them delivered right to your doorstep. Thanks to Costco's collaboration with Instacart since 2016, customers can order a variety of popular bakery items, including their renowned chocolate chip cookies, light and fluffy blueberry muffins, rich cheesecake, and an array of Costco's signature cakes. The next time you're feeling the pressure of dessert preparation, consider using Instacart to enjoy your favorite Costco bakery treats.

The ordering process is quite straightforward: simply download the Instacart app, choose your nearest Costco location, and start placing your order. Costco members will be pleased to learn that great deals extend beyond the store — they can enjoy a discounted Instacart Plus membership for just $79 a year. This is a fantastic option for those who find it challenging to visit Costco or who want to avoid long checkout lines.

The partnership between Costco and Instacart goes beyond baked goods; you can order nearly anything, from groceries like the popular Kirkland rotisserie chicken to everyday essentials like an extra pair of reading glasses. Believe it or not, you can even order your prescriptions from Costco through Instacart in select areas. No matter how you take advantage of this wonderful collaboration, it will make acquiring your favorite bakery items and other Costco products even more convenient.

Cake decorating at Costco is nonstop work

In the Costco bakery, cake decorators must possess not only expertise in pastry arts but also the ability to think and act quickly. During peak seasons—such as holidays and graduation months—the bakery is inundated with orders, and the decorating team typically creates around 80 cakes each day. This role is ideal for those looking to enhance their skills as pastry chefs while thriving in a fast-paced environment.

Since Costco customers have a limited selection of design options, the cake decorating team operates in a highly efficient manner. A TikTok employee revealed that the cakes undergo various stages during production to optimize workflow. For the signature sheet cakes, bakers begin by slicing the cakes horizontally, adding an impressive two pounds of mousse between the layers, and finally, decorating them with the chosen illustration or message.

Cakes are not the only items on the decorating team's agenda. They also handle cheesecakes, dessert bars, pies, and a range of seasonal products. When time is of the essence, Costco cake decorators must shift from a creative mindset to focus on maximizing productivity and efficiency.

Any leftover bakery items go directly to local food banks and charity organizations

Costco's bakery section appears to stretch on indefinitely, brimming with an abundance of freshly baked loaves, glazed pastries, and scrumptious bagels. By the end of the day, there are often excess bakery items available. To address this, Costco has teamed up with local food banks to donate any unsold baked goods, prepared meals, and fresh produce.

On a global scale, Costco collaborates with local organizations to provide freshly baked goods and food items instead of sending unsold products to landfills. For instance, in Ontario, Canada, the Durham Outlook for Needy collects bread, desserts, and produce from nearby Costco locations to help serve meals to approximately a few hundred individuals each day. The retail giant also responds to urgent crises; for example, Costco has provided water, packaged food, and hot meals to those affected by the 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles, located nearly 3,000 miles away. While Costco's food donations encompass much more than just baked goods, breads and pastries remain a vital component of its charitable efforts.

Costco hires people specifically for wrapping bakery items

If you're thinking about a career at Costco but the idea of donning a chef's coat and decorating sheet cakes doesn't quite appeal to you, consider applying for the role of bakery wrapper. This department consistently produces delicious treats that need to be carefully wrapped and packaged for customers to take home and enjoy. It's important to note that Costco relies on a dedicated team to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.

The duties of a bakery wrapper are fairly straightforward. They involve wrapping and packing baked goods either by hand or using a wrapping machine, labeling each box with the name and price, restocking the bakery shelves, and occasionally garnishing and icing some items to help ease the workload of pastry chefs. A former Costco bakery wrapper shared on TikTok that while you may have to forgo perfectly manicured nails, the schedule is relatively flexible, and you'll have the opportunity to cross-train in other roles within the department, such as cake decorator or mixer. This position is a fantastic entry point for those looking to gain experience in a bakery kitchen, and no prior bakery or restaurant experience is required. All you need is a Food Safety Certification on your first day to kick off your journey as a Costco bakery employee.

Some Costco bakeries give out free cookies to kids

One of the greatest advantages of shopping at Costco is enjoying the complimentary samples. However, there’s a little-known secret that some members might not be aware of—certain Costco bakeries offer free cookies to children. On your next visit, consider taking your kids to the bakery section and asking one of the bakers for a freshly baked cookie.

Several individuals on Reddit shared their experiences of doing just that when they were younger. One user even reminisced about having the chance to bake cookies alongside the Costco bakery staff as a child. If you’re concerned about Costco's temporary suspension of free samples due to the COVID-19 pandemic, don’t worry: that pause has ended, and free samples have returned.

While there’s no guarantee you’ll receive a free cookie—since the bakery distributes samples based on availability and store traffic—it’s definitely worth asking for one of those delicious cookies fresh from the oven. With Costco’s extensive selection of cookies, you may not know exactly what you’ll get, but given their overall quality, we’re confident you (or your child) will be pleased.

During the holiday season, Costco sells millions of its famous pumpkin pies

Purchasing seasonal items at Costco has become a cherished tradition for many shoppers, and no Thanksgiving feast feels complete without a slice of the bakery's famous pumpkin pie. The store is well-known for how quickly these pies disappear as customers rush to secure this beloved treat.

In the lead-up to Thanksgiving 2023, Costco sold over 4 million pies across the United States, with nearly 3 million of those being pumpkin pies. This pie is celebrated for several reasons: its delectable filling and flaky crust, its limited availability (only sold during the holiday season), and its affordable price of just $5.99. Weighing in at three pounds and ten ounces, it easily yields at least a dozen generous slices.

One of the key factors that makes Costco's pumpkin pie so appealing is its primary ingredient, the Dickinson pumpkin. As noted in David and Susan Schwartz's book "The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt From A to Z," this sweet variety is the sole pumpkin type used by Costco for their pies. Each handcrafted pie is filled with Dickinson pumpkin puree and sits atop a rich, buttery crust. Add a scoop of Kirkland brand vanilla ice cream on top, and you have a simple yet delightful dessert that everyone at the Thanksgiving gathering will adore.