Costco bakery wins that save you when guests stay late

If you host, Costco’s bakery is your fourth burner. The key is buying with a plan—how to slice, how to store, and how to dress things so they feel a step above “platter on the counter.” These are the crowd-pleasers I keep on rotation when one couple turns into three and somehow it’s 9 p.m.

Pumpkin pie that feeds a crowd

That giant pumpkin pie is famous for a reason: it’s consistent, not too sweet, and it slices beautifully. Warm wedges for five minutes at 300°F to wake up the spices without turning the crust soggy.

Serve with barely sweetened whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon sugar. If you have leftovers, cut into individual slices, wrap, and freeze—future you will be thrilled.

Tuxedo chocolate mousse cake, sliced like a pâtisserie

This one is rich, so think slim slivers instead of bakery bricks. Run your knife under hot water, wipe, slice, repeat—you’ll get clean layers that look plated on purpose.

A few raspberries or a swipe of jarred caramel on the plate turns a sheet-cake moment into dessert-course energy. No one needs to know it came in a clamshell.

Butter croissants for instant “baked” sandwiches

Keep a clamshell in the freezer and pull what you need. Five minutes in a hot oven revives the shatter. Split, add Dijon, ham, and Swiss, and slide back in until the cheese just melts.

Serve with a bowl of cornichons and grainy mustard. It reads French café and buys you another hour of conversation.

Cheesecake as a blank canvas

Plain New York-style cheesecake loves a topping bar. Put out a jar of lemon curd, a dish of thawed berries, and a bowl of chopped toasted nuts. Everyone builds their own slice and you don’t have to commit to one flavor.

For clean cuts, use dental floss (unscented) in a pinch. Cross under, pull up, and you’ll get smooth edges even after the first few pieces.

Tiramisu bar cake for coffee lovers

This dessert shines when it’s cold and sliced thin. Dust with cocoa through a mesh strainer and add a few chocolate shavings if you have a vegetable peeler handy.

Pair with decaf after 8 p.m. so no one lies awake regretting dessert. A little espresso powder stirred into whipped cream gives you a grown-up topping fast.

Blueberry muffins you portion like a pro

They’re huge; halve them. Split, toast cut-side down in a buttered skillet, and serve with salted butter and a drizzle of honey. Toasting wakes up the berries and keeps the crumb from feeling dense.

Freeze extras individually. A quick zap and a skillet kiss bring them back to life for busy mornings.

Artisan baguettes and cheese tray rescue

Grab a two-pack of baguettes, warm in the oven, and slice on the bias. Pair with Costco’s little trio cheese packs, a jar of fig jam, and almonds.

If you’re out of fancy boards, line a baking sheet with parchment and build your “board” right on it. Handles make passing easy when the living room fills up.

Cookie variety trays, curated

Instead of setting out the whole thing, divide into thirds and rotate. Cut big cookies into halves so people can sample without committing. It keeps the table tidy and cuts down on waste.

Add a bowl of clementines for color and something fresh. It balances the sugar rush and looks thoughtful.