I Tried Costco’s Newest Dessert That Everyone’s Talking About, and It’s (Almost) Perfect
There’s a new cake in Costco’s bakery section, and members can’t get enough of it. A few weeks ago, shoppers first noticed the Costco Maple Butter Pecan Bar Cake (say that three times fast!) on shelves. Once I got wind of the news, I knew I just had to try it. I mean, maple butter, pecans, and cake — what could be better?!
Just by the looks of it, I knew this cake would be a favorite — but I didn’t realize it would be nearly impossible for me to find. I’m based in New York City, and there are three Costcos within 30 minutes of my home; each and every one of them was sold out of this Maple Butter Pecan Bar Cake (challenge accepted!).
I’m not one to give up easily, so I asked other editors if they’d spotted this new cake at their local Costco. Unsurprisingly, Patty, our food editor (and resident Costco superfan), managed to snag one in Tampa, Florida. After a quick trip home, she immediately got to tasting.
What You Should Know About Kirkland Signature Maple Butter Pecan Bar Cake
The new maple-flavored cake hit shelves in early October, and it features layers of whipped maple butter, brown butter mousse filling, vanilla sponge cake, and butter-pecan crunch. It can be found in the refrigerated section of the bakery and retails for $18.99. It’s on the expensive side (customers can get a custom Costco 10-inch round cake for $10.99), but it is 39 ounces and can feed a large group of people (16 to 20 servings, which breaks down to roughly $1 per slice).
We’re unsure if this is strictly a seasonal item, but its fall-leaning flavors make us think that it’ll be around until at least Thanksgiving — unless it sells out sooner.
Our Honest Review of Kirkland Signature Maple Butter Pecan Bar Cake
Because I couldn’t personally get a cake for myself, I asked Patty to try it and report back (she happily agreed). Long story short, the cake is good. Really good.
At first look (and taste), the cake is “really elegant with the thin, ombre layers of cake and filling,” says Patty. “The white cake layers are moist, tender, and perfectly portioned with the creamy fillings. The first two mousse-like layers taste like they have a cream cheese base (plus, cream cheese is in the ingredient list), and the top layer tastes more of maple, while the center, slightly darker layer has a brown sugar-butter flavor.”
She had me at “mousse-like layers,” and yet the real beauty of this cake is the bottom filling: “It’s a caramelly, nutty layer that gives the cake some much-needed texture and interest. The cake is quite sweet, so thin slices are all you need for serving,” Patty says.
She did note, though, that the cake has a strong artificial maple flavoring (there’s no maple syrup in the ingredient list). While she won’t be running to buy this cake again for that reason (and that reason alone), Patty says, she “can see how others will absolutely love it.”
Find it in stores: Kirkland Signature Maple Butter Pecan Bar Cake, $18.99 for 39 ounces
This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: I Tried Costco’s Newest Dessert That Everyone’s Talking About, and It’s (Almost) Perfect
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