Does Costco Do 2-Tier Cakes? What You Need to Know Before Ordering

When you’re planning a wedding on a budget, every dollar counts. That’s why so many couples ask: Does Costco do 2-tier cakes? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no - but it’s a lot more practical than you might think.

Costco Doesn’t Sell Custom Wedding Cakes - But They Do Sell Cake Tiers

Costco doesn’t have a bakery department that designs custom wedding cakes like a traditional pastry shop. You won’t find a cake with fondant roses, personalized toppers, or matching colors for your bridal party. What they do sell are pre-made, large-scale cake tiers - and that’s where the real value kicks in.

Most Costco locations carry the Costco Signature Cake, which comes in two sizes: a 9-inch round (serves 12-16) and a 12-inch round (serves 20-24). These are sheet-style cakes with buttercream frosting, available in vanilla, chocolate, or marble. You can order them in advance - usually 24 to 48 hours - and pick them up in the bakery section.

Here’s the trick: you can buy two of these 12-inch cakes and stack them yourself to create a 2-tier look. The bottom tier is the 12-inch cake. The top tier? Another 12-inch cake, placed on a cake board and supported by dowels or plastic pillars. It’s not fancy, but it’s sturdy, affordable, and feeds 40+ people.

How Much Does a Costco 2-Tier Cake Cost?

A single 12-inch Costco cake runs about $20-$25 depending on your location and flavor. That means a 2-tier version made from two cakes costs roughly $40-$50 total. Compare that to a custom bakery 2-tier cake, which typically starts at $250 and can go up to $600 or more.

That’s an 80% savings. And if you’re serving 50+ guests, you can even add a third tier for under $75 - still less than half the price of most bakery options.

What You Need to Stack a Costco Cake

Stacking two cakes isn’t hard, but it’s not as simple as just placing one on top of the other. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Two 12-inch Costco cakes - order them the same flavor and frosting type for consistency.
2. Cake boards - one for each tier. Use cardboard cake boards from a baking supply store or Amazon. The bottom board should be the same size as the cake. The top board should be 1 inch smaller than the bottom cake.
3. Dowels or plastic pillars - these support the top tier and prevent it from sinking. Use food-safe plastic dowels (available at craft stores) or metal cake pillars. Insert 6-8 dowels evenly spaced into the bottom cake, cutting them to the height of the bottom tier.
4. Strong cake carrier - you’ll need to transport the top tier separately to avoid crushing it.
5. Decorating tools - buttercream isn’t pretty on its own. You’ll want piping bags, tips, and maybe fresh flowers or edible glitter to make it look intentional.

Many couples hire a local pastry assistant for $50-$100 to handle the stacking and decoration. That’s still cheaper than a full bakery cake, and you get to keep the Costco cake’s taste and size.

What Costco Cakes Are Actually Like

Costco cakes aren’t gourmet. They’re dense, sweet, and made with buttercream that’s more like a frosting than a delicate cream. The vanilla cake is moist but not airy. The chocolate is rich but not complex. They’re not designed to be a showstopper - they’re designed to be filling, reliable, and cheap.

That’s why they work so well for large weddings. If you’re serving 100 guests, you can buy four 12-inch cakes, stack two as your display tier, and serve the rest as slices. Guests won’t know the difference if you plate them nicely.

Some couples pair the Costco cake with a small, custom top tier from a local baker - just enough for the cake-cutting photo. It’s a smart hybrid: budget-friendly bulk cake with a touch of elegance.

When Not to Use a Costco Cake

Costco cakes are great for casual weddings, backyard receptions, or large family events. But they’re not ideal if:

• You want intricate designs, lace patterns, or hand-painted details
• You’re having a formal ballroom wedding with high-end decor
• You need a cake that matches your color scheme exactly
• You’re serving fewer than 20 people - you’ll waste a lot of cake
• You have guests with dietary restrictions - Costco cakes contain gluten, dairy, and eggs, and aren’t labeled allergen-free

If your wedding is a small, intimate affair with 10-15 guests, a Costco cake might be overkill. A single 9-inch cake from a local bakery might be more appropriate.

How to Order a Costco Cake

Not all Costcos handle cake orders the same way. Some let you order online through their website. Others require you to call the bakery directly.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Call your local Costco bakery. Ask if they take cake orders and how far in advance.
2. Confirm they have the size and flavor you want. Some locations rotate flavors seasonally.
3. Ask if they include a free plastic cake topper. Sometimes they do - it’s a small touch that helps.
4. Pay when you pick it up. No deposits are required.
5. Go early on your pickup day. Cakes sell out, especially on weekends.

Pro tip: Order at least 3 days ahead for weekend pickups. Weekdays are easier.

Real Wedding Example: A 120-Guest Wedding for Under 0

In Auckland, a couple named Lisa and Mark got married in a community hall with 120 guests. They wanted a cake that looked impressive but didn’t break the bank. They bought three 12-inch Costco vanilla cakes ($75 total). They stacked two as a 2-tier display cake, used wooden cake pillars they found on Etsy, and added fresh white roses from the local market ($25). The third cake was sliced and served on paper plates.

The cake was the most talked-about part of the reception - not because it was fancy, but because it was huge, delicious, and everyone got a big slice. They spent $100 total. A traditional bakery would have charged $500+.

Alternatives to Costco for Budget Wedding Cakes

If Costco isn’t available in your area, or you want more flavor options, here are other budget-friendly choices:

• Local home bakers - check Facebook groups or Instagram. Many charge $15-$25 per tier and deliver.
• Supermarkets - Whole Foods, Safeway, or local grocery chains often sell 2-tier cakes for $80-$120.
• Amazon cake kits - you can buy pre-baked tiers and decorate them yourself. Less labor-intensive than baking from scratch.
• Walmart - their bakery cakes are similar to Costco’s, sometimes cheaper.

But none of them offer the same combination of size, price, and reliability as Costco - especially if you need to feed 50+ people.

Final Verdict: Yes, You Can Build a 2-Tier Cake with Costco

Costco doesn’t sell 2-tier wedding cakes out of the box - but they sell everything you need to build one for under $50. It’s not Instagram-worthy, but it’s real, it’s delicious, and it feeds a crowd. For couples who care more about taste and value than perfection, it’s one of the smartest wedding hacks out there.

Just remember: you’re buying ingredients, not a finished product. The magic happens when you combine Costco’s affordability with a little creativity and a few basic tools. And that’s how you get a wedding cake that looks like you spent a fortune - without actually spending it.