Costco cakes...need some info.

[american_mama]

Based on a thread last year, I have long been planning to get a Costco for DD's first birthday, but I will have to rely on my BIL to order and pickup the cake since I don't have a Costco close by. Can those of you familiar with Costco cakes answer some questions?

1. Where does the filling go? It's a sheet cake, which usually means no layers, but does Costco split the cake into two layers with filling in between?

2. Designs. Do they have a book of a zillion designs? I really don't care about the design at all, so will let BIL pick it, but I'd like to know what he might be facing.

3. Does the carrot cake have nuts? Raisins? Pineapple? Coconut? I'd love it all, but think the kids may not.

4. I'm thinking of getting vanilla cake, strawberry mousse filling, and vanilla buttercream frosting. Is that a good combo? What is the straberry mouse like... bit of strawberries or just strawberry flavor? Is it artificial tasting, like strawberry milk, or better than that? I don't know if anyone can describe what the mousse is like (like pudding, whip cream, cool whip, light buttercream frosting, etc.), but if you can, I'd like to know.

I think that's it. I read the mostly rave reviews of Costco cakes while living abroad, where Costco was an impossibility, and you know what they say about desiring what you can't have.

[ellies mom]

Costco makes a great carrot cake but I can't remember if there are nuts in it. One thing to warn you about, their frosting colors are gaudy, really dark. You may want to go with a plain white one and decorate it more yourself. Also to be honest with you I odn't remember where the filling. goes.

[crayonblue]

My 30th birthday party was yesterday and we had a Costco cake. DH bought a chocolate cake with cream cheese filling and vanilla buttercream frosting. It was good but too rich in my opinion.

The filling was thicker than the frosting and not quite as sweet. The filling was my favorite part! The filling goes between two layers of cake. So, yes, I think Costco splits the cake into two layers with filling in between.

I've had the strawberry mousse filling and honestly prefer the cream cheese filling. The strawberry tastes fake to me. But, I am honestly not a big fan of any cake other than chocolate or cream cheese.

No, I don't think they have a book of a zillion designs. I think the designs are really limited. For Lauren's birthday last year, we went with white icing with red, yellow and blue balloons. My cake yesterday was white icing with red roses.

I am sure anything you get will be good!

[MommyAllison]

I've had quite a few Costco cakes, so I'll try to answer as best I can - though I tend to always get my favorite kind so haven't tried all the fillings/frostings. :)

1) Yep, the filling is in the middle

2) At my Costco (I would assume it's the same everywhere, but don't know) they have about a dozen designs - some are specialty (graduation, new baby, wedding) and then there are quite a few choices for birthday - I remember flowers, balloons, clown (I think?), fire truck, and I know there are more. Then there are some basic designs as well.

3) The carrot cake has raisins and nuts I believe, but no pineapple or coconut. I think it also has bits of carrot, but am not sure.

4) I haven't had the strawberry filling much, but from what I can remember I think it has little bits of strawberry, but it's a very pale pink, so does seem artificial, though probably better than strawberry milk. The consistency is kind of a whipped frosting type, lighter than normal frosting for sure, but not quite a whipped cream.

As for the frosting, PP is right, some of it can be quite dark - it depends on the type of frosting you choose - the whipped frostings are lighter in color than the buttercream. But my number one Costco cake tip is - it freezes really well, so freeze the leftovers in smaller amounts (I usually use 8x8 square pans). GL and HTH!

Allison
http://b1.lilypie.com/XvRAm8/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[american_mama]

Thanks, Allison! So what is your favorite kind? I guess my other choice would be chocolate cake, cream cheese filling, and vanilla buttercream.

[LD92599]

This is from 10/04 but gives you an idea :-)

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/30589.jpg

Laura
mom to William

LKibala @ optonline.net
[img]http://lilypie.com/baby3/030305/1/2/0/-5/.png

[chlobo]

My favorite is white cake, cream cheese filling, white buttercream frosting.

It is rich but I've never med a buttercream I don't like. LOL.

[neeter]

my favorite is the cream cheese filling, with the cream cheese icing!

[nd93]

DD#1 picked out chocolate cake, chocolate mousse filling, and chocolate frosting with Rainbow decoration. Everyone loved it! The decoration looked fine on the chocolate frosting too. The chocolate mousse filling is my favorite. For my other DCs we did princess and party hat decoration. I think their decorations are nice and way better than I could do. I have not had their carrot cake. I'm not a fan of strawberries, but I have had that one at other parties. Their cakes are good but huge. Be prepared for leftovers unless you are having a big party.

[ribbit1019]

O.k. since 1-3 have been answered I'll answer 4. That is the exact cake we got for DD's birthday except we got the whipped frosting instead. We got the princess design, I was not happy with the design, especially the goofy arms on the princess, but I got over it. The picture Costco has of the cake was MUCH different but the basic idea was maintained.

Everyone raved about the taste. The strawberry was a light tasting strawberry and it didn't overwhelm the white cake, which I prefer. (I love the ch cake/ch mousse/ch frosting myself!)

Here is a pic:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/steitzsmith/Cake.jpg

Christy
"My Mommy" to Maddy born 06/09/04
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040609/3/4/0/-5/.png
and soon to Little Man due 03/02/06
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[calebsmama03]

We got this cake for DD's Christening and it was FAB! The whipped frosting is much better than the buttercream, IMO. Much lighter taste - not that super-rich so sweet it'll make your eyes cross kind of frosting ;) THe white cake and strawberry filling were so yummy and everyone loved the cake (even DH who is not a sweets eater!) I'd definitely rec. the whipped frosting hands down!

Re: the decorations we just got light pink roses and a cross - it was lovely. I'e never known costco to be very artistic with decorations so anything complex is likely to turn out goofy looking.
Lynne
Mommy to C 3/03
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif[/img][/url]
And Miss Purple, 5/05

[nd93]

Our Princess did not turn out like that. So I guess it does depend some on who is working on your cake that day! At my DD's party the kids loved Rainbow. All of the kids wanted part of the rainbow on their cake.

[american_mama]

Thanks everyone! I'm getting vanilla cake, straberry mousse, vanilla buttercream in a party hat design. My older daughter is bonkers for party hats right now, so she'll get a thrill out of it, assuming Costco can execute an identifiable party hat. We are NOT having a large party, LOL, but we are a family of major sweet tooths... so bring on the sugar and size.