After 5 Years, Costco Revives Its Famous Chocolate Cake (and Fans Have Noticed Something Different)
There are few Costco bakery items with as much mythology as the "All-American Chocolate Cake." For years, the towering, seven-pound dessert was a fan obsession. Four layers of rich chocolate sponge, thick fudge filling, and an exterior blanketed in dark chocolate shavings. When it disappeared from warehouses in 2020, shoppers mourned as if they’d lost a friend. Now, after five years, Costco has finally brought back an updated version of that legendary dessert. But like many good comebacks, this one's a bit different.
A Celebrated Return
Costco’s new Chocolate Fudge Cake began quietly appearing in bakery cases this fall, and social media quickly noticed. Shoppers shared photos and side-by-side comparisons to the original, hoping this was the dessert they remembered. For many longtime members, the sight of that familiar multi-layer cake was enough to spark nostalgia. It was the go-to choice for graduations, birthdays, and office celebrations—the one that somehow fed twenty people and still left leftovers.
The new version weighs about six pounds and brings back much of what made the All-American so beloved: multiple layers of moist chocolate cake, thick fudge frosting, and a deep cocoa aroma that fills the kitchen as soon as you open the box. It’s still the kind of dessert that demands both hands and a sturdy plate.
Not Quite the Same Slice
The first and most obvious change in the new release is the missing chocolate shavings. The All-American’s rough, chocolate-flake exterior was part of its character, but the Chocolate Fudge Cake trades that texture for a smoother, uniform finish. The presentation is cleaner, though some fans say it feels less decadent. One Reddit reviewer pointed out the filling is different in the new fudge cake, stating, "this one has a huge layer of mousse in the middle and the cake seemed a lot lighter [than the All-American Chocolate Cake]."
Beyond that, the cake seems remarkably similar to the original. The layers, frosting, and overall structure remain intact, leading many fans to believe Costco simply streamlined production or swapped the name for a refreshed look. Whatever the reason, it still delivers the same rich, over-the-top experience people have missed for years. Instagram user Laura Jane Lamb took to the platform with a video of the updated dessert, exclaiming, "I’ve waited five long years for the Costco bakery to bring back the All-American Chocolate Cake, and although they’re calling this one the ‘Chocolate Fudge Cake,’ I’m not convinced that it’s not the same cake, just without the chocolate shavings."
A Costco-Sized Indulgence
Even with a few cosmetic updates and a slightly smaller presentation (the new cake is approximately one pound lighter than the original), the Chocolate Fudge Cake is no small treat. At about $25, it remains one of the best bakery values in the warehouse, especially for its size and quality. It easily serves a crowd or lasts through a long weekend of chocolate cravings. Given Costco’s reputation for cycling through fan favorites, many shoppers aren’t taking chances. Some have already stocked an extra cake in the freezer, just in case it disappears again.
The Last Slice
Whether this is a true resurrection or a modern remix, the Chocolate Fudge Cake marks another nostalgic win for Costco. Much like the return of its churros and the comeback of its chicken pot pie, it shows that the company knows exactly how to stir its customers’ memories. It might not be identical to the original, but it’s close enough to remind everyone why the All-American became a legend in the first place.