Costco Danish Pastries - Calories, Price, Heating Tips
Kirkland Signature Danish Pastries at Costco
There is always a new tasty treat to discover when visiting the Costco bakery section. Today, it’s the Kirkland Signature Danish Pastries.
The great news for you is that Costco sells 8 of their Kirkland Signature Danish Pastries for just $11.99. These Danishes can be found amoung other great bakery items like the cheesecake, tuxedo cake, and muffins.
The great thing about the Danish pastries is that they are a mix-and-match item. You can handpick two 4 packs from an array of flavors. Now, if you are anything like me you’re wondering, “What are the flavors!?” The all-time classics: cherry, cream cheese, and almond.
Now, a little pro tip for you: While the price tag reads $11.99, this gets you two packs, summing up to a total of 8 Danishes. So if you’re thinking of just grabbing one pack of 4, hold that thought! Costco’s all about bundle deals so there is no option for a solo pack.
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What is a Danish Pastry?
Originating from the heart of Denmark, the Danish pastry is no ordinary bake. It’s the perfect fusion of yeast and butter, resulting in a pastry that’s both light and rich.
The secret behind its unique texture? The meticulous art of folding. An authentic Danish pastry has an impressive 27 layers—yes, you read that right! Every fold is a testament to the skill and patience that goes into crafting this treat.
From sweet to savory, there’s a Danish out there for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of fruity concoctions, rich chocolate, or savory treats, this pastry doesn’t disappoint.
Here’s a little Costco tip for the savory lovers: while the cherry, cream cheese, and almond varieties are great, there’s also a ham and cheese Danish pastry that’s just as good! And just a heads-up, this flavor doesn’t follow the same mix-and-match rules.
Costco Cost Comparison
How Much Do Costco Danish Pastries Cost?
Here’s a little Costco tip for the savory lovers: while the cherry, cream cheese, and almond varieties are great, there’s also a ham and cheese Danish pastry that’s just as good! And just a heads-up, this flavor doesn’t follow the same mix-and-match rules.
Costco Danish Price Increases
However, there’s been a bit of buzz amongst Costco members; a bit of disapproval. The reason? The noticeable price increase in the bakery department.
Food inflation is real, and Costco’s Danish pastries have felt it too. In 2022, the Danish pastries only cost $9.99.
Fast forward a bit, and the $2 increase, or 20% jump, had some members raising their eyebrows.
Costco vs. The Competition.
Let’s talk about the competitor on the block: Sam’s Club. They tempt you with a 3-pack of Member’s Mark Danishes for just $3.75. Quick math: that’s $1.25 per Danish.
Sure, on paper, Sam’s Club wins in the price department. But when it comes to a rich, fulfilling taste these Danishes, despite being nearly identical in size to Costco’s (~4.5oz), skimp on the filling. So, you might be saving a few cents, but the quality is not the same?
However, credit where credit’s due: Sam’s Club does offer flexibility. Craving just a few Danishes? You can snag just 3 instead of committing to 8 at Costco.
Costco Danish pastries - Taste Test
All of the Danishes from Costco were great! Each of them were incredibly buttery, doughy, and sweet with delicious fillings.
Costco Almond Filled Danish
The almond filled Danish pastry was awesome. It was packed to the brim with nutty almond flavor; striking the perfect balance between sweet and savory.
Toasted almonds added an extra almond flavor and a nice crunch. A word of caution though: while the powdered sugar dusting added an artistic touch, it was a bit sweet tend crystallized when it was heated.
If you love almonds, you will love Costco’s almond Danish, but if you aren’t an almond fan, this may not be the pastry that turns you into one.
Cream Cheese Danish
Costco’s take on the cream cheese Danish is a nod to tradition. The pastry was covered in a sugar glaze that tasted fine, but it wasn’t necessarily my favorite.
I was worried that the cream cheese filling may have been overpowering and overwhelming, especially at the center, but it worked really well. Each bite of the Danish had the perfect amount of cream cheese filling.
The cream cheese filling was very cheesy, but also had hints of sweetness and tanginess; a subtle but present lemon taste gave the filling an extra depth of flavor. Everything worked together perfectly, and was very delicious.
Cherry Filled Danish
Much like the cream cheese Danish, this cherry-filled Danish pastry is also topped with a sugar glaze, which to my palate, could be dialed down.
The cherry filling looks sweeter than it is, but it’s actually a very well-balanced flavor. The cherry pieces are fantastic and give the Danish some enjoyable tartness.
The filling’s consistency is spot-on, not too runny or dense. And when slightly warmed? The flavors elevate, making it even better.
Overall, the cherry danish is very solid. The pastry was crispy and flakey, and the cherry filling even exceeded my expectations.
Ranking the Costco Danish Pastries
Everyone is going to have their own opinion as to what Danish is their favorite; but, here is how my taste buds ranked them:
- Cream Cheese Danish – Taking first place is the Cream Cheese Danish. It was perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor.
- Cherry Danish – The battle for second was extremely close but taking this spot is the Cherry Danish. The fruitiness and filling were just perfect!
- Almond Danish – And in third place, we have the Almond Danish. By no means playing the underdog. However, for my personal preference, it was just a tad too rich.
It’s important to remember, though, that this lineup is just my opinion. What’s great about these pastries is that they come in a variety of flavors. So, the next time you’re at Costco, maybe grab that Danish mix and find your own favorite!
How to Heat Kirkland Danish
While the Costco Danish pastries are great straight from the pack, they are even better when they are warm.
I personally enjoy a warmed-up Danish as it significantly enhances the flavor and brings back that fresh baked smell.
Costco, being the ever-helpful guide, does recommend the baking method, but they can also be warmed in the microwave or air fryer.
Oven (Costco Recommended Method)
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Remove Danish from the package
- Place on a baking pan and bake for 10 minutes
- Wait 5 minutes before consuming
Microwave
- Heat 1 Danish for 30-45 seconds until warmed up.
Air Fryer
- Preheat Air Fryer to 320°F
- Place Costco Danish in Air Fryer
- Cook for 6-7 Minutes or until sufficiently toasted
- Wait 3 minutes before consuming
Can you Freeze the Costco Danish?
Yes, Costco’s Danishes can be frozen. Freezing them not only extends their shelf life, but also allows you to eat them whenever you want!
Pro Tip: Think about the number of Danishes you might eat in the upcoming days. Whatever you are not going to eat right away can go straight to the freezer after your trip to Costco!
How to Freeze Costco Danishes
- Wrap each individual danish in plastic wrap
- Place into a Ziploc bag
- Seal and date the Ziploc bag.
Do Costco’s Danishes Need To Be Refrigerated?
While these Kirkland Signature Danishes are perfectly fine sitting on your countertop for the first day or two, it is recommended to refrigerate the Danishes to extend their shelf life.
If you’re planning to eat them over a week, you can keep them in your refrigerator for 5-7 days. But if you’re like me, stocking up for those unexpected cravings or guests, then these Danish pastries can go straight from your fridge to the freezer.
Costco Danish Calories and Nutritional Information
Now for the unfun part; let’s peel back the buttery layers of these Danish pastries and look at their nutrition information.
The range is quite a spread, swinging between 450 and a whopping 760 calories with the Almond Danish being the worst offender.
This information was sourced from Costco’s bakery.
Costco Cherry Danish Calories
The Costco Danish with the least amount of calories is the cherry filled danish. Each serving is one whole danish and has 450 calories. The 450 calories come from 22 grams of fat, 62 grams of carbohydrates and 6 grams of protein.
Costco Cream Cheese Danish Calories
The cream cheese danish from Costco has 520 calories, 32 grams of fat, 52 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of proteins.
Costco Almond Danish Calories
Costco’s almond danish comes in with a whopping 760 calories per danish. Each danish has 47 grams of fat, 72 grams of carbohydrates, and 13 grams of protein.
Costco Food Database User Reviews
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Costco Danish - Fresh Baked Instructions
Ingredients
- 1 Almond Danish
- 1 Cream Cheese Danish
- 1 Cherry Danish
Instructions
- Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F Remove Danish from the packagePlace on a baking pan and bake for 10 minutesWait 5 minutes before consuming
- Microwave
- Heat 1 Danish for 30-45 seconds until warmed up
- Air Fryer
- Preheat Air Fryer to 320°FPlace Costco Danish in Air FryerCook for 6-7 Minutes or until sufficiently toastedWait 3 minutes before consuming
Nutrition
Greg Larkin is the founder and managing editor of Costco Food Database, the premiere site for honest takes on all things Costco food. A self-proclaimed Costco super-fan since childhood, Greg turned his obsession in a mission to properly rate and review all of Costco’s delicious buys. When he’s not busy navigating Costco aisles, you can find Greg smoking Kirkland Signature meats, meal prepping, or perfecting his homemade jerky recipes.
If I had realized that the price of danish was up again, today to $11.99, I would not have purchased. Today was my last bakery purchase in Costco.
I would like the nutritional information of the cherry and cheese pastry 6 pack. I track my foods and this does not scan its nutritional information. It would be nice if more foods that are made and their nutritional information. Thank you