As a food editor of over 10 years and devout Costco loyalist, few things get me more excited than strolling through a Kirkland bakery section on a Tuesday morning. It’s a specific kind of thrill — equal parts sugar rush and professional curiosity — because behind those oversized clamshell containers and suspiciously perfect muffins lies a question I take very seriously: What’s actually worth buying here?
Costco’s bakery section is engineered to seduce you into buying 12 of something you didn’t plan on wanting, so consider this your filter. Since I moved just a mile away from my local Costco six years ago, I have spent the past six years tasting my way through the hits, the misses, and the why-is-this-so-dry disappointments to bring you the six items I’d happily create freezer space for and the four I’d leave sitting under those overly bright fluorescent lights without a second glance.
Would Buy: Kirkland Signature Raspberry Filled Cookie, 15-count
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One of Costco’s newest additions, these Raspberry Filled Cookies are, dare I say, even better than the original Costco Raspberry Crumble cookies that were discontinued a few years ago. The fillings in these are not cloyingly sweet, which I appreciate. The sugar cookie outer portions are buttery and melt in your mouth when you take that first bite. 10/10, no notes.
Would Buy: Kirkland Signature Danish, Mix & Match, Pick 2 Flavors
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I never leave Costco without grabbing two of these mix-and-match Danishes. I always choose the cheese and cherry flavors, but the almond is a solid choice as well. They freeze beautifully and make for the most delicious and indulgent accompaniment to your morning coffee.
Would Buy: Kirkland Signature Carrot Bar Cake
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I think I have consumed enough carrot cake in my lifetime to be considered a carrot cake expert. It’s my favorite type of cake and even the flavor I always ask for on my birthday. The key to the perfect carrot cake is an ultra-moist crumb and cream cheese frosting that truly tastes like cream cheese and that’s exactly what Costco delivers.
Would Buy: Kirkland Signature Croissants, 12 Count
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My freezer is filled with these croissants. They’re so buttery and fluffy and reheat beautifully. I mainly use them for chicken salad sandwiches during the week, but they’re scrumptious for breakfast as well. I may even go as far as to say they are my favorite Costco item of all time because the quality is so consistent and the croissants are so versatile.
Would Buy: Kirkland Signature Caramel Apple Strudel Bites, 12-count
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When I try anything bite-sized or mini from other bakeries, they’re always dry. They usually taste like they’ve been sitting out for a few days, but that couldn’t be further from the truth with these Costco Caramel Apple Strudel bites. The pastry dough is fresh, not dried-out, and the sweet filling might be one of the best flavor combos of all time.
Would Buy: Kirkland Signature Plain & Everything Bagels, Mix & Match, 12-count
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The plain ones are fine, but the real star of the show here is Costco’s Everything bagels. I always grab two bags because they’re easily some of the best bagels I’ve had. The dough is light and fluffy instead of dense and chewy, and they last forever in your freezer.
Would Skip: Kirkland Signature Variety Dessert Bars, 32-count
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I love the idea of a tray of dessert bars, but these just seem to fall flat in the execution. I found them dry and a bit dull in flavor. They’re not terrible, but compared to the other great bakery finds at Costco, these are definitely a skip for me.
Would Skip: Kirkland Signature Twice Baked Chocolate Filled Croissants, 6-count
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I wanted to love these new twice-baked croissants so badly. But these too were too dry for my liking and didn’t have nearly enough chocolate . The concept is great, but the recipe could use some tweaking.
Would Skip: Kirkland Signature Strawberries and Cream
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This is one of Costco’s newest additions to the bakery section, and I had high hopes, but after bringing it home and trying it, the cream-to-strawberry ratio is way off. This dessert is about 90% cream and 10% strawberries. The flavors are great, but for the price, I expect more fruit. As-is it’s kind of just an overpriced tub of whipped cream with a few strawberries on top.
Would Skip: Kirkland Signature Baguettes, 2-Pack
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I’m a huge fan of Costco’s breads, but these baguettes just taste a bit… mass-produced? They don’t have that home-baked feel and flavor that most of Costco’s other bakery items are known for. They’re a bit dry, and while I can see them working well for garlic bread or something like that, on their own, they’re definitely a skip for me.
Dining and Cooking