If you’ve ever eyed those big, fluffy, celebration-ready cakes at the grocery store bakery and thought, “I wish I could make that at home!”—the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe is your answer. This stunning two-layer vanilla cake, topped and filled with clouds of whipped cream and, if you’re feeling extra festive, jeweled with fresh strawberries, delivers all the nostalgia and joy of a classic celebration cake in your own kitchen. Whether it’s for birthdays or just to make an ordinary day extraordinary, you can trust this cake to wow your friends and family every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every element in this Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe has a role—from creating a tender, moist crumb to giving that signature bakery-style flavor. These simple ingredients truly shine, coming together for a glorious dessert that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the base structure and keeps each bite soft and fluffy.
- Baking powder: Essential for lifting the cake so it’s light, not dense.
- Baking soda: Balances the acid from the sour cream and gives extra tenderness.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor and keeps sweetness in check.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and that classic bakery taste — be sure it’s soft for easy creaming.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with creaming for a fluffy texture.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the cake’s pillowy structure.
- Vanilla extract: Use real vanilla for that unmistakable Costco-style aroma and depth.
- Sour cream: Gives the cake its super-moist, bakery-perfect crumb.
- Whole milk: Moistens the batter and helps everything blend smoothly.
- Heavy cream (for frosting): Whips up into a luscious, stable whipped cream frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting without making it gritty.
- Vanilla extract (for frosting): Rounds out the flavor of the whipped cream layers.
- Fresh strawberries (optional, for filling): Add sweetness, color, and a nod to the iconic Costco strawberry filling.
How to Make Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Generously grease two 9-inch round cake pans—and if you’re feeling cautious, add a circle of parchment to the bottoms for breezy removal. Getting this step right means you’ll have gorgeously shaped layers and no stressful sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This quick mix ensures your leaveners are evenly distributed and will help create that signature Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe rise—no biting into a surprise pocket of baking powder!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar until it’s pale and wonderfully fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. This step is everything for a light crumb—don’t rush it!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add that burst of vanilla extract for both the intoxicating smell and the flavor you love in the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe. By adding eggs gradually, you give your batter structure and richness without making it heavy.
Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a small bowl, stir together sour cream and whole milk. This mix will break up the batter more smoothly than if you dumped ingredients in separately—and makes the next steps a breeze.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Alternately add the flour mixture and the sour cream mixture to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with dry. Use low speed, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can toughen your cake, so fold gently for that perfect tender texture that defines the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe.
Step 7: Bake the Layers
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Smooth the tops and pop them in the oven. Bake 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Step 8: Whip Up the Frosting
While your cakes cool, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. For extra Costco-copycat stability, whisk in a tablespoon of instant vanilla pudding mix if you have some on hand.
Step 9: Build and Frost the Cake
When the cakes are fully cool, place one layer on your serving plate. Spread on a thick layer of whipped cream and, for the classic experience, scatter a generous handful of sugared sliced strawberries before topping with the second cake. Frost the top and sides with more whipped cream, swirling artistically.
How to Serve Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe
Garnishes
There’s nothing like the drama of a swoosh of whipped cream piled high and a ring of fresh strawberries or even a tumble of rainbow sprinkles. The Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe looks absolutely party ready with just a few extra strawberries or even chocolate shavings on top. Let your creativity shine—even a simple dusting of powdered sugar can make it look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair this cake with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream for true celebration style, or serve with a platter of mixed berries to balance the sweetness. A glass of cold milk, a frothy latte, or celebratory mimosas are also all spot-on choices for rounding out the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe at your next gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays, order a custom edible topper to recreate the real Costco look, or slice the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe into generous squares for a casual party platter. You can even make individual “mini cakes” by cutting rounds from the large cake layers and stacking with whipped cream and strawberries for cute dessert plates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover leftovers tightly and keep them in the fridge, where the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe stays moist and flavorful for up to 3 days. The whipped cream may absorb some berry juices over time, making it even more lush and delicious—so don’t worry if dessert’s not gone on day one!
Freezing
If you need to freeze, wrap unfrosted cake layers individually in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Whipped cream frosting doesn’t freeze well on its own, but you can assemble the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe with fresh whipped cream when you’re ready to serve for the best flavor and texture.
Reheating
Enjoy the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe chilled straight from the fridge, or let slices sit at room temp for about 30 minutes so the flavors bloom. While not intended for reheating, the cake layers become extra soft and fragrant after a quick warm-up in the microwave for just a few seconds—pure heaven with coffee.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought whipped cream instead of making it fresh?
You can, but freshly whipped cream gives a more stable, luxurious texture that really makes the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe taste bakery-fresh. If you’re in a pinch, stabilized store-bought can work for a quick shortcut.
What’s the secret to keeping the cake layers moist?
Using both sour cream and whole milk ensures perfect moisture! Also, don’t overbake—check for doneness with a toothpick at the minimum baking time to keep those layers soft.
How can I make this recipe more festive for birthdays?
Toss on lots of colorful sprinkles, add a custom message in icing, or layer sugared berries between the cakes for extra flair. The Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe is a great base for celebrating with your favorite decorations and flavors!
Can I make this gluten free?
Absolutely—substitute a good quality all-purpose gluten free flour blend (look for one that includes xanthan gum). The cake will still turn out light and delicious.
Is the strawberry filling essential?
Nope! It’s a classic touch, but you can go all cake and cream if you’re not a berry fan, or try other fruits you like. The beauty of the Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe is making it your own!
Final Thoughts
The joy of a bakery-style celebration cake is now yours any time with this trusty Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe. Don’t wait for the next big event—treat yourself and your loved ones with a slice of homemade happiness. Give it a go, and you might find yourself skipping the bakery aisle for good!
Print
Cake Costco Copy Cat Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Costco copycat cake recipe captures the essence of the beloved store-bought dessert with layers of moist vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, and a luscious whipped cream frosting. Perfect for birthdays or special occasions!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup whole milk
For Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries (for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F, grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix sour cream and milk.
- Combine and Bake: Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream mixture to wet ingredients. Divide batter and bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Make Frosting and Assemble: Whip heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla. Layer cake with cream and strawberries, then frost.
Notes
- To mimic Costco’s strawberry filling, toss sliced strawberries with sugar.
- For firmer frosting, add instant vanilla pudding mix.
- For best texture, refrigerate cake for 2 hours before serving.
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