Sheet cake for 150 people--is Costco the best price?

[ranthony]

My DS will be at karate camp for his birthday this year. I asked his instructor if I could bring cake for the campers and he said 'sure'. He then proceded to tell me there would probably be around 150 people. That was double of what I expected!

Oh well...I have to do it now because my DS overheard me asking.

I priced out sheet cake at our local A&P and it would be over $150 for a plain (non-filled cake) to serve that many. That's ridiculous!

I then priced out cake at the closest Super-Walmart and it was around $75. Less than half of A&P! I could live with that and the cupcakes were an even better deal at 12/$5.

I was talking about all of this with some of the other moms at pre-school and one of them said she had just gotten a full sheet cake (serves about 70) for $15 at Costco for her daughter's birthday...and it had filling!

I tried to look it up on-line but there are no bakery prices on their site. Is this true? Could I really get enough cake for $30 at Costco? I don't have a membership and the closest one is around 30 miles away. I'll call them in the morning to confirm but I was wondering if anyone out there could confirm this? If so...those A&P prices are even more ridiculous!

 

[englishteacha]

I know if might be a lot of work, but what about making cupcakes for that many? Instead of frosting them, toss some candies on the top.

I'd definitely call Costco, BJs, Sams, etc., to see what they can do. My sister had sheet cakes from Sams for her wedding. They were delicious and very affordable. I think someone posted a free summer membership for Sams, here.

 

[KristiMc]

The sheet cakes at Costco are $15 and they are very good. I'm not sure how many they feed though.

 

[ranthony]

I know if might be a lot of work, but what about making cupcakes for that many? Instead of frosting them, toss some candies on the top.

We'll be arriving home from WDW the day before (this will be the first day camp starts). I just don't think I'd be able to pull it off since we'd just be getting back.

 

[CTdiznymom]

The Costco cakes are very good and worth the $$, but I don't think you'll get 70 pieces from one cake. I think maybe 60. We love the vanilla cake with choc. mousee filling.

 

[RobinFabulous]

How many does a typical sheet cake feed? I think you probably need at least a whole, even with small slices

 

[ranthony]

The sheet cakes at Costco are $15 and they are very good. I'm not sure how many they feed though.

So she was right. I can't believe they are 1/5 the price of A&P! I thought she was confused and it was really only a 1/4 or 1/2 sheet. I'll be calling them in the morning for sure. I think DH's employer has a corporate membership that we could use.

I'll look into that Sam's membership and see if their cakes are the same price. The Sam's club is 10 minutes closer and if we could get a free summer membership then it would be less complicated than Costco.

Either way...$30 is much better that $150!

Thanks!

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

Double check the size...I am pretty sure Costco sells 1/2 sheet cakes. I did see BJs had a full sheet cake but not sure of the cost.

 

[ranthony]

How many does a typical sheet cake feed? I think you probably need at least a whole, even with small slices

IIRC A&P told me a full sheet cake serves 55-70. So I'd definately be cutting it close with 2 cakes. I'll have to confirm with the instructor a week or so before the camp and order accordingly.

I'm hoping his estimate is a tad high. Otherwise, perhaps I could get 2 full sheets for the campers and then a regular 'fancier' cake for my DS to blow the candles out on and share with the instructors. The 150 estimate included the camper and the instructors.

What about cupcakes? Does Costco or Sam's offer cupcakes and does anyone know the price? The cupcakes at Wal-mart were about 42 cents a piece and that would expedite the whole serving issue.

 

[KristiMc]

Double check the size...I am pretty sure Costco sells 1/2 sheet cakes. I did see BJs had a full sheet cake but not sure of the cost.

I just did a search and it is a half sheet - not whole.

 

[branv]

Well I can certainly say that Costco is the best tasting cake for that price! I can't speak for every Costco, but the ones we ordered were also layered, so it wasn't your typical sheet cake with just the one section of grocery store cake -- seemed a little taller?

But yes, our Costco also sells cupcakes! And they're HUGE (like the size of their muffins), I want to say it was 24 for $15? I don't know if it's expired, but there was a $5/off coupon in their latest coupon mailer.

Have you thought about maybe getting a few cakes and then one of their huge pies or cheesecakes?

 

[ranthony]

I just did a search and it is a half sheet - not whole.

That's what I was afraid of. That puts it only slightly less than Super-Wal-Mart. I'll still give them a call in the morning and see if they do offer a full sheet and how much it is and the # of people it serves.

I thought she must have been mistaken because it seemed liked too good of a price.

 

[branv]

Well cancel my post, this is what I found online:

•Filled Half Sheet Cake, Serves 48, $15.99
•Cake: White or chocolate
•Filling:Vanilla Cheesecake or Chocolate Mousse or Strawberry Mousse
•Icing: White buttercream or Chocolate buttercream or Cream Cheese
•Decorations: roses, bouquets, balloons, baseball, ranibows, golf, smiling sun, football, princess, hockey, stork, basketball, umbrella, skateboard, cross, soccer, american flag, trophy, billiard, or graduation (with school colors)
•Filled Half sheet carrot cake, serves 48, $17.99
•White & Chocolate cupcakes (20 per package) $15.99 per package.

Hope that helps

 

[ranthony]

Does Costco allow non-members to shop and pay a 5% upcharge? I'm wondering if I couldn't get a card through DHs work if it would still be worth it if I could pay a bit more as a non-member.

 

[ranthony]

Well cancel my post, this is what I found online:

•Filled Half Sheet Cake, Serves 48, $15.99
•Cake: White or chocolate
•Filling:Vanilla Cheesecake or Chocolate Mousse or Strawberry Mousse
•Icing: White buttercream or Chocolate buttercream or Cream Cheese
•Decorations: roses, bouquets, balloons, baseball, ranibows, golf, smiling sun, football, princess, hockey, stork, basketball, umbrella, skateboard, cross, soccer, american flag, trophy, billiard, or graduation (with school colors)
•Filled Half sheet carrot cake, serves 48, $17.99
•White & Chocolate cupcakes (20 per package) $15.99 per package.

Hope that helps

Thank you. This is very helpful. It looks like the cupcakes are not a budget friendly option...but they sound wonderful. I'm sure a dining room full of karate kids would love HUGE cupcakes!

 

[TnTWalter]

The cake is SOOO good. Really. Better than the fancy pants 'Classic Cakes' we have around here that only look really good.

Best of luck.

I would have sent a personal cake for him and candy for the rest. You're nicer than me. LOL.


Trish

 

[melsherard]

Well cancel my post, this is what I found online:

•Filled Half Sheet Cake, Serves 48, $15.99
•Cake: White or chocolate
•Filling:Vanilla Cheesecake or Chocolate Mousse or Strawberry Mousse
•Icing: White buttercream or Chocolate buttercream or Cream Cheese
•Decorations: roses, bouquets, balloons, baseball, ranibows, golf, smiling sun, football, princess, hockey, stork, basketball, umbrella, skateboard, cross, soccer, american flag, trophy, billiard, or graduation (with school colors)
•Filled Half sheet carrot cake, serves 48, $17.99
•White & Chocolate cupcakes (20 per package) $15.99 per package.

Hope that helps

I am a cake decorator at Costco, and this info is absolutely correct. You will get 48 pieces (2x2 square). Costco cakes are awesome tasting... we still eat it even though we make them all day One thing to keep in mind is that they do require refrigeration due to the dairy filling that is inside them. Enjoy!

 

[melsherard]

Well I can certainly say that Costco is the best tasting cake for that price! I can't speak for every Costco, but the ones we ordered were also layered, so it wasn't your typical sheet cake with just the one section of grocery store cake -- seemed a little taller?

But yes, our Costco also sells cupcakes! And they're HUGE (like the size of their muffins), I want to say it was 24 for $15? I don't know if it's expired, but there was a $5/off coupon in their latest coupon mailer.

Have you thought about maybe getting a few cakes and then one of their huge pies or cheesecakes?

The coupon for the cupcakes ends 5/31/09

 

[karliebug]

I think it is ridiculours that you have to supply for the whole camp. Can't you just get a small cake for your son and whomever is sharing his cabin? Or a dozen cupcakes to share with his close friends at camp? They could celebrate in their room or whatever and not make a big deal in front of the other campers.

 

[lastminutemom]

like donut holes or cookies...

You could even make chocolate chip cookies now and freeze them.

What we have done before, is make cookies for everyone, then we lay some on a cookie tray and write HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUR NAME HERE (one letter per cookie) on the cookies on the tray.

We then put one or two candles in several cookies (to get to the appropriate number).

It is really so much easier for the camp staff -- handing out a cookie or two to each kid...