Costco’s bakery is a paradise of oversized treats, flaky pastries, and crowd-pleasing cakes—but not everything behind that glass case is as innocent as it looks. While these baked goods are undeniably delicious, many are loaded with sugar, saturated fats, and more calories than your average meal. Whether you’re grabbing a muffin on the go or stocking up for a party, it’s worth knowing which items are best enjoyed in moderation. We’ve rounded up the 15 unhealthiest Costco bakery foods—not to shame your favorites, but to help you indulge smarter. Let’s take a closer look!
1. Double Chocolate Muffins
Calling all chocoholics: Costco’s Double Chocolate Muffins are basically cupcakes in disguise. Each muffin delivers nearly 700 calories, along with over 35 grams of sugar and almost 40% of your recommended daily fat intake.
The rich cocoa base and chocolate chips make every bite indulgent, but they’re far from breakfast-friendly. With portions this large, it’s easy to overdo it without realizing. If you’re craving chocolate in the morning, consider splitting one with a friend or freezing the extras. These muffins are best treated as a dessert—because nutritionally, that’s exactly what they are, despite the “breakfast” label.
2. Butter Croissants
Few things are as satisfying as tearing into a warm, flaky croissant. But behind that golden, buttery beauty lies a nutritional bomb. Each Kirkland Signature Butter Croissant clocks in at about 300 calories, with 17 grams of fat—11 of which are saturated. You won’t find much fiber or protein to balance it out, either. They make for a delightful weekend indulgence, but it’s easy to overdo it. Try pairing just one with eggs or fruit to balance the richness. Better yet, split it with a friend to keep the flavor without going full tilt on the fat.
3. Cheesecake
Creamy, rich, and oh-so-satisfying, this Costco classic is the ultimate crowd-pleaser at parties. But nutritionally speaking, it’s one of the heavier hitters in the bakery aisle. A single slice of Kirkland Signature Cheesecake contains about 420 calories, 18 grams of saturated fat, and over 30 grams of sugar.
It’s dense in more ways than one. While it delivers on taste and elegance, this dessert is best served in thin slices. If you’re watching your intake, consider cutting a slice in half and pairing it with fresh berries to lighten things up while still enjoying its luxurious texture and flavor.
4. Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
Almond lovers rejoice—these muffins have a bold, fragrant flavor and soft, cakey texture that’s hard to resist. But each muffin carries about 669 calories and a whopping 38 grams of fat, making it more dessert than breakfast.
The poppy seeds add a pleasant crunch, but the portion size and sugar content make them a serious indulgence. They’re ideal for splitting with a friend or saving half for later. If you’re looking for a lighter breakfast, consider pairing a small slice with Greek yogurt or fruit. That way, you still enjoy the flavor without tipping into sugar overload.
5. Cream Cheese Danish
This glossy, golden Danish with a luscious cream cheese center might look like a light pastry, but don’t let it fool you. Each one clocks in at over 500 calories, with a heavy dose of saturated fat and sugar. The rich filling and buttery layers make it an irresistible treat—but a dangerous one if you’re watching your intake. It’s perfect for sharing at brunch or slicing into quarters for smaller indulgences. While undeniably delicious, this pastry’s nutritional profile makes it better suited for special occasions than weekday breakfasts. It’s a dessert in disguise—and a very tempting one at that.
6. Cookies
Soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chunks, these classic cookies from Costco are hard to resist. But each seemingly innocent cookie delivers about 210 calories, along with 10 grams of fat and nearly 20 grams of sugar. And let’s be real—who eats just one?
The real danger lies in how easy they are to snack on straight from the tray. They’re perfect for parties or potlucks, but for daily dessert, it’s wise to stick to a smaller portion or split one with a friend. If your sweet tooth strikes, pair half a cookie with fruit for a satisfying balance.
7. Coffee Cake Muffins
Imagine the best part of a cinnamon coffee cake baked into an oversized muffin—sweet crumble topping, moist interior, and warm spice in every bite. That’s what you get with these bakery giants. But at 740 calories per muffin and 31 grams of fat, they’re more of a full-blown dessert than a morning bite. They pair perfectly with a latte but won’t do your daily calorie goals any favors. These are great for special occasions like brunch with guests, but on a regular morning, try slicing one into quarters and storing the rest for another day.
8. Pecan Pie
A slice of Costco’s pecan pie is like a sweet Southern hug—rich, gooey, and studded with crunchy pecans. But it’s also one of the most sugar-loaded desserts in the bakery. Just one slice can contain over 500 calories and upwards of 30 grams of sugar, not to mention loads of saturated fat. It’s practically a sugar bomb in a pie tin. While it makes for a festive dessert during holidays, this one’s best reserved for special occasions. A smart move? Serve smaller slices with unsweetened whipped cream or fresh fruit to balance out the sweetness and richness.
9. Tuxedo Cake
If you’re seeking decadence, Costco’s Tuxedo Cake delivers it in style—layer upon layer of chocolate cake, mousse, and ganache. But this elegant dessert isn’t light on the waistline. A modest slice packs around 370 calories and 23 grams of fat, much of it saturated.
It’s a chocolate lover’s dream, but a nutritionist’s nightmare when it becomes more than an occasional treat. That said, it makes an excellent celebration cake. Serve smaller slices and pair it with coffee or berries to enhance the experience without overindulging. This one’s all about enjoying a little luxury, not going overboard.
10. Mantecada Muffins
Drawing inspiration from Spanish-style sweet breads, the Mantecada muffins offer a delicate, buttery texture and subtle vanilla flavor. They’re slightly smaller than Costco’s traditional muffins, but still pack around 320 calories and 12 grams of fat each. Not the worst offender in the bakery, but still a treat that should be savored mindfully. Their soft, almost sponge-like consistency makes them a good pairing with tea or coffee, but watch how many you munch on—these can disappear fast. If you’re craving something sweet but not over-the-top, splitting one of these can satisfy without going completely overboard.
11. Mini Carrot Cakes
Don’t be fooled by the “carrot” in the name—these mini cakes are more dessert than vegetable. Topped with a thick swirl of cream cheese frosting and filled with sugar and oil, each mini cake clocks in at roughly 370 calories per third (yes, per third!). That means one full cake can hit well over 1,000 calories.
They’re moist, spiced beautifully, and undeniably delicious, but best enjoyed in moderation. For a lighter option, try slicing one mini cake into three or four servings to share. You’ll still get all the flavor and texture without maxing out your daily intake.
12. Cherry Danish
With its flaky layers and sticky-sweet cherry filling, this pastry is as indulgent as it looks. But nutritionally, it’s a red flag. One cherry Danish contains around 440 calories, 23 grams of fat, and more than 20 grams of sugar. The combo of refined carbs and added sugars makes it more dessert than breakfast.
While it’s an easy crowd-pleaser for brunch spreads, it’s not ideal for everyday consumption. Try splitting one with a friend or saving it for the weekend. Pairing it with protein or fiber-rich foods might help slow the sugar spike and keep you satisfied longer.
13. Peanut Butter Chocolate Cream Pie
This pie is a rich collision of creamy peanut butter, whipped topping, and chocolate crust—pure dessert drama. But the nutrition numbers are just as dramatic: around 540 calories and 41 grams of fat per slice, making it one of Costco’s most indulgent desserts.
The blend of sugar, saturated fat, and portion size means this is a once-in-a-while treat, not an everyday indulgence. If you do indulge, consider slicing thinner wedges and topping them with banana slices or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for a bit of natural sweetness and texture. A little goes a long, delicious way here.
14. Apple Fritter Loaf
This apple fritter-inspired loaf delivers a swirl of cinnamon sugar, tender apple bits, and a moist crumb that feels homemade. But beneath the cozy, bakery-fresh flavor lies a deceptively dense treat. One 1/20th slice clocks in at 220 calories—and let’s be honest, most people go for a thicker cut. With its buttery richness and sugary glaze, a single slice can quickly turn into several. It’s a comfort food classic, but better suited for sharing at brunches or special gatherings. If you’re craving it midweek, try slicing thin and pairing with black coffee or a handful of almonds for balance.
15. Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Muffins
With melty chocolate chunks nestled in sweet vanilla batter, these muffins feel like a childhood dream in grown-up form. But that dreamy bite comes at a cost: around 640 calories and 29 grams of fat per muffin, not to mention nearly 40 grams of sugar.
They’re rich, filling, and seriously indulgent—more dessert than breakfast. They’re perfect for celebrations, lazy weekend mornings, or sharing with a group. To make them more manageable, slice one in half and freeze the other portion for another time. This way, you still enjoy the indulgence without the sugar crash that might follow.
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