If dessert for this year’s holiday meal slipped your mind, Costco has you covered. The bakery section has plenty of crowd-pleasers under $25 that don’t require prep, plates, or a backup plan. Here are nine options to consider — and we promise not to tell if you pass them off as a homemade treat.
Note: Product availability and pricing vary by warehouse, and all Costco locations will be closed on Christmas Day
Kirkland Signature Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake
Kirkland Tuxedo Cake has been called “out of this world good” by shoppers and food reviewers enough times to make you take it seriously. The layered mousse cake is for dedicated chocolate fans — it includes layers of dense chocolate cake on the bottom, dark and white chocolate mousse in the middle, a layer of chocolate ganache on top, and it’s all finished with a mirror glaze. Currently, for the holiday season, it comes with a festive Merry Christmas icing.
“I have to actively stop myself from buying one of these every time I go to Costco,” said one Redditor. “Only dessert that got 100% demolished at Christmas this year,” added another.
It’s a great option if you are in a pinch and you need an indulgent crowd-pleaser to finish dinner on the right note, the Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake.
Kirkland Signature Holiday Cookie Tray
Every year, Costco shoppers with a serious sweet tooth patiently await the arrival of one of the most anticipated holiday treats: Kirkland’s humongous tray with 60 cookies split across five flavors. The tray goes for around $28 and covers a lot of ground with minimal effort. This year’s flavors include Chocolate Chip, Toffee Sandy, Butter Pecan, Coconut Almond Chunk, and Red Velvet.
It’s probably the easiest way to satisfy sugar cravings after a holiday meal.
Kirkland Signature Vanilla Creme Brulee Bar Cake
Costco’s newest seasonal release, the Kirkland Signature Vanilla Creme Brulee Bar Cake, is already getting a lot of love. It’s layered with soft vanilla sponge, a mascarpone-based creme brulee mousse, and a thin layer of caramelized sugar for texture. On top, there’s a marbled swirl of gold-and-white frosting.
“It’s phenomenal. As a lover of creme brûlée I loved the vanilla custard filling and appreciated the little black vanilla bean dots and the crunch of the brulee on the bottom.” said a shopper on Reddit. ” I’m going to keep buying it. I love it.”
Kirkland Signature Mini Cranberry Orange Bisconie
Bisconie are an in-between hybrid of biscotti and scones with a slightly dense center. Each piece comes with whole cranberries for a tart kick, and orange flavor that leans more zest than juice. They’re ideal with coffee or tea, hold their shape well, and go for about $10 per dozen.
Kirkland Signature Apple Pie
The motherlode of American desserts, Kirkland Signature Apple Pie is massive, double-crusted, and packed with soft apple slices in light cinnamon syrup. Judging by Costco shoppers, this one’s a guaranteed hit at Christmas dinner.
“I’m still in shock. The best apple pie of my entire life,” one Reddit user wrote. “The top crust crackled with sugar and cinnamon; the apples were juicy yet firm; and the bottom crust was buttery and flaky. This wasn’t your typical store-bought, soggy-bottomed, mealy apple pie. It was utter perfection.”
At nearly five pounds, it feeds a crowd for $15.
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Donsuemor Madeleines
Costco’s madeleines are individually portioned shell-shaped butter cakes with a golden exterior and a soft, dense crumb. They’re rich without being overly sweet, and the texture leans moist rather than spongy. Each one is made with simple ingredients — fresh eggs, real butter, cane sugar — and contains no preservatives or artificial colors.
They’re ideal for pairing with coffee or tea, and they hold well out of the package with no need to reheat or dress up. At 28 per container, they’re a reliable add-on for dessert platters or casual hosting when you need something classic and not overly fussy.
Mediterranean Baklava with Honey
For a Mediterranean-style dessert, baklava gets the job done. And while the best version still comes from a proper bakery, Costco’s take holds up surprisingly well. This is a traditional-style assortment made with flaky phyllo, sweetened nuts, and a thick honey glaze. The box includes five shapes — mostly cashew-based, plus one pistachio option.
“I have had that and it is impossible to put down… that is a lie.” one Redditor wrote.” “It got put down alright. Put down my mouth faster than a cobra strike.” That about sums it up.
Madi Gran Panettone
Panettone is the one holiday dessert that somehow manages to be both overhyped and underrated. Costco’s Madi Gran Panettone (2.2 lbs, about $11.34) is light, eggy, and comes with bits of candied orange and raisins scattered throughout. A lot of people avoid it because it can lean dry or bland — but it’s easy to fix. I like to add melted chocolate and orange zest on each slice. It’s heaven. Yogurt and honey work, too.
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Kirkland Signature 10″ Chocolate Cake Filled with Chocolate Mousse
If you want something that leans more bakery-style than party cake, this is Costco’s heavier chocolate cake option — not as layered or polished as the tuxedo cake, but bigger and more straightforward. For $20.42, you get two, thick layers of chocolate cake sandwich and a generous spread of chocolate mousse, all covered in rich fudge icing.
More From Cheapism
- 16 Christmas Desserts From Aldi for Less Than $10 — If you’re in the thick of planning your Christmas dinner menu, Aldi has a variety of options to make the dessert portion easy without eating up your budget.
- Snag These 22 Costco Christmas Appetizers Under $15 for Your Next Holiday Party — Costco does its best work in that under-$15 zone — finger foods and appetizers that feel bougie, but don’t blow the budget.
- 19 Holiday Snacks at Target to Try for Less Than $10 — Target is my go-to place for festive snacks because they come out with a huge variety of options for $10 or less (most are under $5!).
