One of my favorite Costco Bakery secrets is ordering their Costco sheet cakes for parties. Their standard 2-layer half-sheet cakes are massive, with enough slices to feed 48 people. While Costco raised their cake prices again in 2025, they're still an incredible value compared to competitors.
But much like the small-but-mighty Costco Food Court menu, your options are limited. If you're wondering about all things Costco sheet cake, let me cover the basics, including flavors, current pricing, online ordering, and freezing tips. I'll even share a trick for ordering without a membership.
Costco sheet cakes cost $27.99 per half-sheet as of August 2025.
We've tracked Costco sheet cake prices through multiple increases this year. Costco sheet cakes now cost $27.99 for a half-sheet , up from $24.99 in early 2025. Unlike Costco's famous $1.50 hot dog combo that's stayed the same price for decades, their sheet cake prices haven't been as steady, but you're still getting serious value. Two layers of cake with cheesecake mousse filling and icing for nearly half what you'd pay elsewhere ($48-$59 at Walmart or Publix).
KCL TIP: Costco sheet cakes are 42% - 53% cheaper than grocery stores like Walmart and Publix, saving you $20-$31. Walmart Bakery sells a comparable half-sheet cake with filling for $48.16, while Publix charges $59.24 for one with cheesecake filling.
Costco still has the best value when you compare cost per slice and what's included.
We compared prices on half-sheet cakes at a handful of bakeries and found that Costco still has one of the lowest cake costs per slice at just $0.58. Even though this is higher than the Sam's Club cake price per slice, we consider Costco's the best value overall.
Why? That's because you get two layers of cake with the Costco sheet cake, plus the included filling. Even though the Sam’s Club half-sheet cake is cheaper ($20.98), you don't get any filling with that one, and it's just a single layer of cake.
New for 2025, you can finally order a Costco Sheet Cake online (select areas only).
Starting in early August 2025, some Costco shoppers on the West Coast noticed a brand new feature in the Costco app (download for iOS / Android) — custom cake ordering. It appears they're rolling out this feature to select areas, and it's for members only. You can choose a pick-up date and select a size, flavor, design, and custom message.
To see if your store has this feature, open up the Costco app and navigate to the Warehouse tab. You should see a "Custom Cake Ordering" button in the middle of your screen (below the Search Warehouse Inventory field).
How to Order a Costco Sheet Cake In-Store
If you've ever looked into Costco Catering, the process for ordering a sheet cake in person from the bakery is quite similar. Use this process if your Costco doesn't offer online ordering yet:
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Pick up a Costco cake order form from the bakery.
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Fill it out (you'll include the requested pickup date and time).
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Drop the form off in the submission box.
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Return at the designated time to pick up your cake.
Once you pick up your cake, you'll pay for it in the regular Costco checkout lines. Be prepared to grab a cart when you pick up you cake. Why? Because this sweet treat weighs in at 9.5 pounds — two of those pounds being filling.
KCL TIP: We created a printable copy of the Costco Cake Order Form (PDF) in case you want to fill it out ahead of time.
You're limited to just two flavors with Costco sheet cakes, but you can choose from a few different designs.
When it comes to flavor and design variety, Costco does fall a bit short because half-sheet Costco cakes only come in two flavors:
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Option 1: White vanilla cake with vanilla cheesecake mousse and white buttercream icing
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Option 2: Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and chocolate buttercream icing
The order form includes a section where you can specify what you want written on the cake and in what color of icing. You can also pick a design, but those options are limited to generic things like baby shower, balloons, a rainbow, roses, or some seasonal designs (Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people does a Costco sheet cake serve?
A Costco sheet cake has a suggested serving size of 48 people. It measures 18 x 13 inches — making each slice about 2 x 2 inches (and $0.58 per slice). If you order the scored design, it makes slicing really easy, and the size of each piece is just right for both kids and adults. (Naturally, there are always a few guests who wouldn't mind a bigger slice.)
How far in advance do I need to place an order?
If ordering in person, you'll need to submit the Costco Special Order Cake Form at least one day in advance. And remember, you have to fill it out in person the old-fashioned way. Unfortunately, you can't call in your order over the phone .
If ordering via the Costco app (select areas only), you'll need to place your order at least three days in advance.
Can I order my cake online or by phone?
Unfortunately, online cake ordering is not available in all areas yet. And you cannot place an order by phone. Costco's a bit old-fashioned when it comes to ordering. You'll still need to go into the store to fill out and hand in your cake order form at most locations. Here's to hoping they'll add a phone ordering option in the future.
Can I customize a Costco sheet cake?
Yes, you can customize a Costco sheet cake if you want something different than the generic designs Costco offers. I like to order my sheet cakes with just a simple white border and then add on my own decorations from the dollar store or Target's Dollar Spot. I even saw one TikTok creator buying Costco cakes, adding their own decorations, and reselling them.
Can I freeze a Costco sheet cake to make it last longer?
Definitely. These cakes remain fresh for three to four days in the fridge. But if you want to save it for longer, freezing is the best way to go.
To maximize convenience, slice the cake before freezing — especially since the box you get the cake in is pretty big. I have a standard side-by-side refrigerator, and the box definitely won’t fit in my freezer section.
KCL TIP: Slice your Costco cake first. Then grab a piece of parchment paper, fold it, and slip it around your knife to slide the paper into each cut you've made. This little step makes a big difference — it separates the slices so you can easily pick out just one piece to thaw and enjoy later. Your cake can last in the freezer for up to three or four months and still maintain its flavor.
Can I return a Costco sheet cake?
Costco's return policy guarantees 100% satisfaction, so practically anything you buy from Costco can be returned for a refund, including their sheet cakes. If you're not thrilled with how the cake tastes, just take it to the Returns desk at the store and get your money back.
Do I need to be a Costco member to get a cake?
Technically, yes. If you're not a member, you can use a Costco Shop Card to get in the door, order your cake, and then pay for your cake.
A Costco Shop Card is just another name for a Costco gift card. You’ll need a member to buy a Costco Shop Card for you, but they can easily do that on Costco.com. This is just one of the ways you can shop at Costco without a membership (and a possible workaround for the Costco food court membership rules).
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