How to Place a Cake Order at Costco for Your Birthday Bash

People flock to Costco for two things: bargains and those big, crowd-pleasing cakes. Ordering a birthday cake here isn’t complicated, but the process might surprise you—Costco doesn’t offer online cake orders like some bakeries. You’ll need to swing by the bakery counter in-person at your local warehouse to fill out a cake order form.

You pick your sheet cake size, choose flavors and filling, decide on the decorations, and write down a custom message. Slip that form into the box, and you’re set—just remember, you usually need to give them at least 48 hours’ notice.

• Costco Cake Ordering Basics
• Customization: Flavors, Messages, and Designs
• Timing and Pickup Tips
• Insider Tricks for the Best Experience

Costco Cake Ordering Basics

Ordering a Costco cake isn’t something you do online—they keep it old-school. You’ll actually need to go to your local warehouse to get your cake order started. Most locations have a dedicated table or a small counter right by the bakery section. Here’s where you’ll find a stack of cake order forms and a drop box for completed ones.

You’ll fill out one of these forms right there. The form asks for the pickup date, your contact info, the type of cake you want, flavors, filling, decoration style or theme, and any personalized message. If you want something special, like buttercream instead of mousse, there’s a spot to note that too. Just don’t expect totally custom artwork—Costco sticks to simple designs that still look festive.

"Costco bakery cakes are a top-seller not only because of the price, but also the consistent quality and easy ordering process,"—Food & Wine Magazine

Here’s a quick rundown of the usual steps for a cake order:

1. Go to the Costco bakery counter and grab an order form.
2. Pick your cake size—Costco’s main option is the half-sheet cake, which feeds around 48 people.
3. Choose your cake flavor, filling, and decoration style.
4. Fill in your event date and pick-up time, then write your custom message.
5. Drop your form into the order box, and you’re done.

If you’re running late or have special requests, it’s smart to chat with the bakery staff before dropping your order. For reference, here’s a quick size and serving chart:

You’ll pay for your Costco cake when you pick it up. They don’t require a deposit or prepayment, which makes it pretty painless if your plans change.

Customization: Flavors, Messages, and Designs

When you’re ready to order your Costco cake, you’ll see a simple form—you don’t get a novel-sized menu, but you do get all the basics you need for a birthday party everyone will remember. For flavors, there are usually two main choices: white cake with vanilla cheesecake mousse and raspberry filling, or chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling. Both options come with a thick layer of classic Costco buttercream (it’s sweet, it’s nostalgic, and honestly, it feeds a crowd without breaking the bank).

After you pick your base, you get to decide on your favorite design. Costco’s cakes mostly come in half-sheet size, and you choose from about 15-20 preset designs—think balloons, confetti, roses, sports themes, and more. If you’re celebrating a kid’s birthday, there’s usually something with dinosaurs, rainbows, or footballs ready to go. The bakery doesn’t do custom images (don’t show up hoping to get a photo printed), but they’re happy to write almost any message you want—"Happy 7th Birthday, Noah!" or "Congrats, Michelle!" Just keep it short: the available space only fits so much.

• Flavors: Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, White cake with cheesecake mousse and raspberry filling
• Frosting: Signature Costco buttercream
• Decoration themes: Balloons, roses, sports, rainbows, simple geometric designs, and several seasonal choices
• Message: Custom text added at no extra charge (within space limits)

If you or a guest has food allergies, check Costco’s allergen sheet—available by request at the bakery counter. Their cakes aren’t gluten-free or vegan, and nut warnings can change by warehouse, so always double-check before ordering.

One fun fact—each Costco sheet cake is big enough to serve about 48 people. Here’s a quick glance at the basics:

Costco keeps it simple, but the value and flavor are tough to beat for a birthday cake that doubles as a party centerpiece. If you don’t see the exact design you want, ask at the bakery counter—sometimes they’ll swap colors or tweak things if you talk to them in person and catch them when it’s not too busy.

Timing and Pickup Tips

Costco bakery isn’t like some boutique shop that can whip up custom cakes in a few hours. For a Costco cake order, the golden rule is to give 48 hours’ notice. You’ll see that printed right on their in-store order forms. This means if your birthday party is Saturday, submit the order by Thursday at the latest. Some locations even recommend 72 hours ahead, especially if you want popular designs or to play it safe during busy times like graduation season.

Here’s where a lot of people stumble: Costco doesn’t currently accept cake orders by phone or online—orders must be done in person. The bakery counter usually opens when the store does, so you can drop your order before work or on a grocery run.

A cake pickup is as easy as shopping for toilet paper. Let the bakery staff know you’re there for your cake order, show your receipt (or give your name), and they’ll bring it right out. Saturday mornings can be hectic, so planning to pick up your cake when the store first opens is a smart move to dodge the crowds and long lines at the bakery counter.

• Submit your order at least 48 hours ahead—72 hours if you want to be cautious.
• Go in person to the bakery counter to fill out the order form.
• Pick up your cake early to avoid the rush, especially on weekends.
• Double-check your order before leaving the store—mistakes happen, and it’s easier to fix them on the spot.

In 2023, a survey by Statista found that more than 50% of shoppers picked up bakery items on weekends, making Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings the busiest. So, if you value your time, aim for a weekday or right at opening.

Bethany Jones, a bakery supervisor at a California Costco, told Food & Wine magazine: “We make hundreds of cakes a week, especially for birthdays, so dropping by with your order early gives us time to make sure yours is done right and ready when you need it.”

One last tip: cakes are stored in a big fridge, so they’re nice and cold at pickup—but don't forget to give them a while to come to room temp at home before the candles come out. The frosting tastes better that way, and the cake is easier to cut.

Insider Tricks for the Best Experience

Getting the most out of your Costco cake order means knowing how the bakery ticks. Here’s what most people don’t realize: timing and little details matter way more than you think. For example, cakes are a major draw at certain times of year—think early May during graduation season and pretty much the whole month of June for birthdays and summer parties.

If you want a special design, bring inspiration. Photos on your phone or a printed example can help the bakers understand exactly what you’re after. The simple order form only lists basic designs, but the staff often bends the rules a bit—if you’re friendly and clear about what you want. Just keep it realistic for what Costco can do. They don’t do licensed characters (like Disney), but you can get fun sports, balloons, or floral styles.

Here’s another tip: you can call ahead to ask about cake pickup times and avoid the lunchtime rush. Costco is busiest between noon and 6 pm, so mornings are best. If you have kids with you, ask at the counter for a sample cookie—bakeries are known for handing these out, but only if you ask nicely.

One secret enthusiasts share: the cake is always fresh because they bake in bulk, especially Thursdays and Fridays. So picking up your birthday cake on a Friday means it’ll be top notch for a Saturday celebration. Stuck choosing between vanilla or chocolate? The iconic vanilla with cheesecake filling outsells the others every year, according to bakery staff I spoke with.

“Our vanilla sheet cake with cheesecake mousse is hands-down the most popular for birthdays. People love how creamy it is, and there’s always enough for leftovers,” said a longtime Costco bakery employee from Los Angeles.

Worried if it will fit in the fridge? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Want even more out of your Costco cake? Buy a plain cake and add your own decorations at home—think sprinkles, fruit, or themed cake toppers. You’ll get a custom look for a fraction of what a boutique bakery would charge.

And if you’re shopping for other party essentials, remember—Costco lets you order in bulk, so you can grab party plates, snacks, and drinks in one go. Makes the pickup trip actually worth it!