All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
There’s something almost magical about a cake or a tray of dessert bars arriving at a gathering — they anchor the moment, invite people to relax, and turn ordinary days into celebrations. Whether you’re feeding a crowd at a backyard barbecue, surprising a loved one with a cheesecake, or grabbing single-serve mini bundts for office treats, cakes and dessert bars are comfort food dressed up for the occasion. Think of them as the warm blanket of the culinary world: comforting, versatile, and always welcome.
If you want convenience, predictable pricing, and a mix of single-serve and bulk options, Walmart is a go-to. The store stocks everything from brand-name boxed cakes and frozen dessert bars to large-format bakery cakes and multi-count packs that make feeding a crowd easy. Walmart’s grocery and bakery aisles often carry brands you recognize, and many of the items come in party-size counts so you don’t have to piece together desserts from multiple trips.
Walmart commonly carries party-ready items such as Otis Spunkmeyer Double Chocolate Brownies in a 40-ounce pack, Sweet Street’s multi-layer cakes including a 6-layer big iced carrot cake (about 8.37 pounds for a 10-inch version), and Sara Lee classics like an 8-inch round angel food bundt cake weighing roughly 1.375 pounds. You’ll also find larger cheesecakes like the Sara Lee French Cream Cheesecake in an 8-by-15-inch format weighing close to 4.562 pounds, and convenient mini bundts — New Day carrot and lemon mini bundt cakes are sold in 3-ounce portions in multi-packs. Those ounces and pounds matter: a 3-ounce mini is bite-sized and ideal for dessert buffets, while a 4.5-pound cheesecake can feed a dozen or more comfortably.
For big events and budget-conscious buyers, Costco is practically built for cake shopping. Their bakery department leans toward large sheet cakes and oversized whole cakes that serve dozens with a single purchase. The price-per-serving often beats smaller retailers, and you get generous portions — which means fewer trips back to the store on party day. If you’re hosting 50 people, buying one or two Costco cakes can be more efficient than ordering many smaller cakes.
Warehouse cakes tend to be heavy and practical: large rectangular sheet cakes, round 10- or 12-inch celebration cakes, and big cheesecakes that can weigh upwards of 4 pounds. Flavors rotate with seasonal demand — think triple chocolate, strawberry, and classic vanilla with buttercream. Don’t forget that if you want custom lettering, warehouses typically offer simple personalization options for names and short messages, but intricate designs often require a specialty bakery.
Grocery chains like Target, Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons blend convenience with a surprising amount of variety. These stores often carry in-house bakery creations alongside national brands. If you’re doing last-minute entertaining or prefer to pick up something on your weekly grocery run, grocery bakeries offer a balance of affordability and creativity — from layered carrot cakes to cheesecake bars and decorated birthday cakes.
Compared to big-box retailers, grocery bakeries tend to focus on smaller runs and quicker turnovers, which means fresher-feeling baked goods without wholesale quantities. They’re a great choice when you need a reliably tasty cake without massive servings. Many chains also offer seasonal or limited-run flavors and will sometimes carry offers on single-serve dessert bars and mini bundts that are perfect for smaller crowds.
Want a showstopper or a cake that tastes like art? Specialty bakeries — from nationwide names like Nothing Bundt Cakes and Sprinkles to beloved local pastry shops — are where you go for custom tiers, unique flavor pairings, and elegant finishes. These shops focus on craft: hand-applied garnish, custom piping, and flavors that go beyond vanilla and chocolate. They’re the shops you choose when the cake itself is part of the décor.
Pick a specialty bakery when presentation, ingredient quality, and personalized flavors matter most. If you need a multi-tiered wedding cake, a sculpted novelty cake for a milestone birthday, or a small-batch gluten-free or vegan creation that still tastes indulgent, artisanal bakeries are worth the investment. Expect to pay more per serving, but you’ll get a cake that’s designed and executed with attention to detail.
Single-serve and mini desserts — like 3-ounce mini bundt cakes and bite-sized brownies — have surged in popularity because they’re simple to serve and reduce waste. Mini bundts from brands such as New Day come in multi-packs (for example, 24-count packs of 3-ounce lemon or carrot mini bundts), making them perfect for dessert tables where guests want variety. Likewise, traybakes and dessert bars like double chocolate brownies or layered bars provide easy portioning and a satisfying handheld option.
Single-serve desserts minimize cross-contamination, keep service efficient, and let guests sample multiple flavors without committing to a full slice. They also make cleanup easier — no awkward cake-cutting, no plate juggling. For picnics, office parties, and hybrid events where guests are moving around, mini cakes and dessert bars are a pragmatic, crowd-pleasing solution.
Cheesecake is a category of its own: dense, creamy, and indulgent. You’ll find everything from classic New York-style cheesecakes to flavored and hand-finished varieties like Sweet Street’s raspberry white chocolate brulee cheesecake, often sold in multi-count cases for catering. Cheesecake bars and slices can be easier to serve than whole rounds and are ideal when you want a rich dessert without the theatrics of a layered cake.
Whole cheesecakes are dramatic and generous, but cheesecake bars or pre-sliced versions can be more practical for serving. A whole 8-by-15-inch cheesecake weighing around 4.5 pounds will deliver more generous slices for a smaller group, while pre-portioned bars or individually boxed slices streamlines service at large events. Think about the event format: plated dinners often favor whole cakes served to order, while buffets and receptions lean toward bars and slices.
Dietary preferences and flavor trends shape what bakeries stock. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options have improved in texture and taste — many specialty shops now offer indulgent-sounding options that just happen to be free from common allergens. At the same time, flavor trends rotate quickly: salted caramel, matcha, lemon-honey, and botanical pairings (like lavender or rose) show up alongside traditional favorites such as carrot cake and chocolate ganache. If you want to impress, pick a trending flavor in a familiar format.
Ask bakers about ingredient swaps and sample before you buy when possible. High-quality nut milks, aquafaba, and alternative flours have made vegan and gluten-free cakes more reliable. Many bakeries now create hybrid desserts — think a gluten-free crust beneath a classic cheesecake — giving you the best of both worlds. Don’t assume “free-from” means bland: with the right technique, specialty desserts can be as rich and multilayered as traditional ones.
Planning makes dessert service seamless. Estimate portions conservatively: for standard events, assume 1-inch-by-2-inch slices for cake trays or about 3 to 4 ounces per person for rich desserts like cheesecake. Use a simple rule of thumb for round cakes: an 8-inch round usually yields 8–12 standard slices, a 10-inch around yields 12–16, and larger 12-inch or multi-tiered cakes scale accordingly. For mini desserts, count one to two pieces per guest depending on how many other sweets you offer.
Keep cakes cool during transport and store them refrigerated if they contain dairy or perishable fillings. For short drives, a sturdy cake box and a flat surface in the car will protect your purchase. If you need to freeze a cake, wrap it tightly — many cheesecakes freeze well and can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight. When in doubt, ask the bakery for storage instructions; they often have practical, experience-based tips specific to the cake’s ingredients and design.
Before you buy, ask yourself a few quick questions: How many guests will you serve? Is the dessert the focal point or one of many sweets? Do guests have dietary restrictions? What’s your budget per serving? Answering these will quickly narrow your options between bulk retail purchases, grocery bakery convenience, or specialty custom work. If you’re short on time and need party-sized quantities, Walmart and warehouse stores deliver great value; if presentation and flavor nuances are essential, go specialty.
Cakes and dessert bars are delightfully flexible — from the convenience of Walmart bulk brands and multi-pack mini bundts to Costco’s party-ready sizes and the bespoke artistry of local bakeries. With a bit of planning — knowing your guest list, dietary needs, and the event’s vibe — you can choose the perfect dessert that balances taste, presentation, and cost. Whether you opt for a 3-ounce mini bundt for portion control, a 40-ounce brownie tray for easy sharing, or a 4.5-pound cheesecake for a decadent centerpiece, the right choice will have everyone reaching for seconds.
