Wandering through Bionic Bay's dark alien world is unsettling and awe-inspiring. There are massive structures with no clear purpose and autonomous factories filled with whirring saw blades and devastating lasers. It's grim and unforgiving, with little light and harsh shadows that give everything a sinister tone. But then you step on a bomb and your character bounces off of walls like a pinball, and you realize it's a game of contrasts.
Bionic Bay is a curious blend of two very different genres. On the one hand, it's an atmospheric side-scrolling adventure in the mold of Inside and Limbo, filled with disturbingly stunning environments to explore. At the same time, it's a hard-as-nails platformer like Super Meat Boy, with elaborate physics that will have you dying repeatedly while trying to find the best route through deadly obstacles. Somehow, the disparate vibes come together surprisingly well.
What first drew me to Bionic Bay was that dark world. It's mysterious to the point that I still don't actually know what it is you're doing or why. But that mystery is a large part of the appeal. As you make your way through its levels, you're subject to some incredible and intimidating e …
Welcome back to Week in Review! We’ve got tons of news for you this week: Slate EVs spotted in the wild; Airbnb pricing updates; a hack at Blue Shield; and much more. Let’s go! Get a clue: Cluely is an AI-based tool that helps people cheat on exams, sales calls, and even job interviews. Though […]
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE doesn't want to replace your laptop, but can it handle the fun side of tablet ownership? We find out in our in-depth review.
The Delta One and Virgin Atlantic airport lounges in LAX are both great, but I preferred one over the other.
Delta; Danielle Bauter
I visited both the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Delta One Lounge at LAX.
I loved that both seemed to give nods to old Hollywood glam with their decor and amenities.
Overall, I preferred Virgin Atlantic's more intimate vibe over Delta One's larger lounge.
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Delta One Lounge are two of the newest arrivals at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
I've always been a fan of airport lounges, so I was excited to check them out.
Both of these lounges are open to Delta One passengers flying internationally and Virgin Atlantic upper-class customers, so I wondered which would be a better option for my next trip.
Here's how the two compare, and which is my favorite.
I recently visited the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX.
The entrance to Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse is on the sixth floor of TBIT.
Danielle Bauter
The lounge opened in late March and is in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). It replaced the old Etihad Airways Lounge, which closed a few years ago.
It felt quite small at about 4,400 square feet, with no exterior windows. I learned that it can apparently only accommodate about 70 to 80 people, which kind of gave it an air of exclusivity.
First, I entered the lounge's Ruby Room.
I liked the vibe of the Virgin Atlantic Ruby Room.
Danielle Bauter
The Ruby Room showcases old Hollywood glamour.
I loved the red carpet and midcentury-modern decor, with cozy velvet chairs, gold loungers, and colorful couches.
The space's colors are aesthetically appealing, and the walls are lined with artwork depicting iconic Los Angeles landmarks.
A special feature of the Ruby Room is the Royal Box.
The Royal Box felt cozy.
Danielle Bauter
This tiny nook is typically reserved for VIPs or guests celebrating a special occasion.
The Royal Box has its own special menu, which includes chocolate-covered strawberries and the Drama Queen — a Champagne cocktail with mixed berries and gin. True to its theatrical name, it's served with a bubble of smoke on top.
I appreciated the options at the self-serve brasserie.
The bar had plenty of vegetarian-friendly options.
Danielle Bauter
I found so many vegetarian options at the lounge's grab-and-go bar.
It was nice to be able to choose light, fresh-sounding bites like fruit salad, citrus kale salad, raw vegetables and hummus, and Mediterranean quinoa salad.
The dining room looked like a comfortable spot to enjoy a meal.
The dining area is filled with color.
Danielle Bauter
The pleasant colors of the dining room almost had a calming effect on me.
Table service is available at every seat, and guests could order their meal by scanning a QR code on the table.
The menu features a variety of cuisine.
The Virgin Atlantic menu features a variety of plates.
Danielle Bauter
The lounge menu has both small and large plates, as well as desserts.
Many of the dishes are inspired by California cuisine, and each of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses has its own unique menu.
Some items that stood out to me include the chicken tikka masala and California fig salad.
I tried the smash burger, which is a signature dish in the lounge.
My burger came with fries.
Danielle Bauter
While there, I sampled the lounge's signature smash burger.
Made with venison, each burger is stamped with Virgin Atlantic's logo. It was quite tasty, and definitely felt on par with what I could get from a gastropub or bistro.
The bar itself is also stunning.
I thought the bar looked gorgeous.
Danielle Bauter
Virgin Atlantic's bar feels sleek and chic. I liked the transitional lighting, which mimics the light changing throughout the day.
There's an alley to the left of the bar called The Wing, which has studio pods.
The studio pod seemed like a good place for some privacy.
Danielle Bauter
The Wing has three studio pods that are acoustically sealed, kind of like modern-day phone booths. They seem like a convenient spot to take a phone call or get work done without distraction.
Taking inspiration from Virgin Atlantic Airways founder Sir Richard Branson's roots in the music industry, the pods are named after his iconic recording studios. Each one is adorned with music memorabilia, including Prince's "Purple Rain" album and a plaque with information about Sunset Sound Studios.
One of my favorite features at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is the Zen Den.
I noticed the Zen Den had a shelf with a yoga mat and weights.
Danielle Bauter
Upon walking in, I was greeted by a FORME Studio smart fitness mirror, which features a touchscreen display that streams on-demand fitness classes or live one-on-one training.
I tried a selection of guided yoga and meditation sessions during my visit.
The Zen Den is currently available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
The vanity inside the Zen Den felt like a nice touch.
The vanity seems like a good place for touchups.
Danielle Bauter
The Zen Den vanity has a sink, mirror, and extra lighting, making it a convenient spot for a quick refresh before returning to the main lounge.
After checking out the amenities, I headed back to the bar for a farewell cocktail.
Another Drama Queen cocktail? Yes, please!
Danielle Bauter
Truth be told, I didn't want to leave the Virgin Atlantic lounge.
I was enamored with its decor and the space's general emphasis on wellness. It felt like an homage to LA's past and present.
A few months ago, I attended the opening of Delta One's Lounge at LAX.
Guests can enter the Delta One Lounge directly from the curb.
Danielle Bauter
The lounge is located in Terminal 3, adjacent to the Delta Sky Club.
I liked that I could access it from the arrivals level and use the concierge check-in service.
After checking in, I proceeded through a private TSA screening area.
Delta One has its own private TSA screening area.
Danielle Bauter
In my opinion, this easy access to a private TSA screening is one of the biggest perks of Delta One's lounge.
Although you can also use the screening area if you want to visit the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse as a Delta One passenger, you'd have to take a long walk (or shuttle) to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal B.
Once through TSA, I took an elevator up to the Delta One Lounge.
How I wish this mural could be true!
Danielle Bauter
The lounge is about 10,000 square feet, much larger than the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. I appreciated the colorful mural near its entrance.
Walking in, I was immediately drawn to the wellness room.
The wellness room is equipped with zero-gravity chairs and massage chairs.
Delta
The room had a soothing atmosphere, with eight private relaxation pods equipped with zero-gravity chairs and full-body massage chairs.
It wasn't long before I hopped into one of the full-body massage chairs and fell into a trance as soothing ocean sounds filled my ears.
Generally, lounge guests can reserve a 15-minute massage in advance.
The living room seemed like a welcoming spot.
I could see myself lounging here before a flight.
Delta
Whether you prefer a cozy booth or a cushioned chair, there are comfortable spots to relax throughout the living-room area.
The dining area felt spacious, with plenty of room for travelers to spread out.
The Delta One dining area had glamorous vibes.
Delta
The dining area has plenty of booth and chair seating, and Delta One offers attendant service for all food and drink in the lounge.
Unlike at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, I wasn't able to order via QR code from my table.
I felt drawn to the fully-stocked Icon Bar.
The bar serves signature cocktails and old classics.
Danielle Bauter
I loved the bar's leather and walnut accents, which, paired with quartz and onyx, gave it a sleek, sophisticated look.
The lounge even has a sushi bar.
The sushi bar was small but seemed well-stocked.
Delta
The sushi bar felt like a nice touch, with options like California rolls, spicy tuna rolls, and hand rolls with salmon ceviche.
I thought the menu had a great mix of classics and more creative fare.
The drink section of the menu.
Danielle Bauter
Delta One's offerings include light fare and larger entrées, from tacos to salmon, and a variety of bento boxes.
I loved that the clever cocktails were inspired by many of Delta's destinations, from the Raspberry Tulip for Amsterdam to the Sleepy British Bee for London.
I decided to try a Boston-inspired drink and the street-corn pizza.
Yes, it really was as good as it looks.
Danielle Bauter
I paired the street-corn pizza with How D'ya Like Them Apples?, an apple-flavored whiskey and ginger beer drink inspired by Boston.
My meal was delicious — I had never tried street corn on pizza before, and I'm still craving it.
Unlike the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, this lounge has a skydeck.
The Delta One Skydeck has seats overlooking the runway.
Delta
I decided to enjoy my meal on the Delta One Skydeck, which overlooks planes on the runway.
It was nice to be able to get fresh air and sit outside while at an airport, which is quite rare.
I'd happily return to both lounges, but I preferred Virgin Atlantic's.
I'd absolutely go back to the Delta One Lounge.
Danielle Bauter
If I had to choose to spend time in one lounge over the other, I'd go with the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
Although I loved the Delta One Lounge's amenities, such as the skydeck and sushi bar, I found I preferred the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse for a couple of reasons.
First, it really impressed me with its stylish vibe, which felt like stepping into a swanky lounge or speakeasy. I appreciated its size, which felt more intimate and less overwhelming than a larger lounge.
The wellness amenities, like the Zen Den and grab-and-go bar stocked with healthy-sounding snacks, also appealed to me. And if given the opportunity, I'd go back to that Royal Box in a second.
That said, I enjoyed my experience in both lounges (especially my food and beverages) and would happily wait for a flight in either.
We've been using the Google Pixel 9a to see if it's worthy of being your next smartphone. We've got good news, as you'll find out in our in-depth review.
I know, I know. Itâs become a bit of a faux pas to describe one game using another and yet I am compelled. After a few hours with Blue Prince, I realized this game elicits the same feelings in me as Balatro. Not because it has anything to do with cards or passive-aggressive clowns named Jimbo, but because those hours I played passed as breezily by completely unnoticed as they did when I was knee deep in the poker roguelike. Blue Prince is a time-stealer and as with Balatro, you will be happy to be robbed.
Blue Prince is an architectural puzzle mystery game from developer Dogubomb. In it you play as a young man who inherits his uncleâs magical mansion. On your first day at the house you receive a note laying out the rules by which you will earn your inheritance. This house has 45 rooms. Find the secret 46th room thatâs not displayed on any of the mansion’s blueprints (get it, Blue Prince / blueprints) and the house is yours.
To find the 46th room you must create or âdraftâ rooms one after the other connecting them via their doors. You start each day with 50 steps and passing into a room takes one step (or more depending on the type of room). When you run out of steps y …
Welcome back to Week in Review! We’ve got tons of cool stuff for your reading pleasure this week: Jeff Bezos backs EV startup Slate; a Meta whistleblower accuses the company of collusion; Waymo may use interior camera data; and much more. Let’s get to it! I want this: Slate, an EV startup, has the ambitious […]
Erica Rivera spent three years at Indeed as a recruiter and around two years at Google.
Sebastian Rivera
Erica Rivera is a career coach who formerly recruited for Google and Indeed.
Rivera said that she's coached many employees who've been labeled as underperformers.
She advises employees who've been labeled as underperformers to seek clarity as a first step.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Erica Rivera, a 37-year-old career coach now based in Barcelona. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Before becoming a career coach, I worked as a recruiter for Indeed for three years and Google for roughly another two.
I now work with people one-on-one to navigate career changes and transition into new roles. As a coach, I've helped those who have been labeled as underperformers, and it breaks my heart when I hear them talk about it.
First, there's the initial shock — Hey, I'm labeled as an underperformer? — and then I see how deeply they internalize that as their truth. The people I've talked with feel like they're broken, that there's something wrong with them because they're not seen as meeting expectations.
When this happens, I say, take a second to breathe. This label is just that, a label — and it doesn't mean that there's something wrong with you.
Many times, people who get that label are not underperforming; they're just caught up in unfortunate situations. Sometimes, new management comes in, or goals shift, and the employee isn't made aware.
I tell them, It doesn't define you. It doesn't define the rest of your career. Instead, it could be time to stop and evaluate your next steps. No matter the scenario or why you received this label, here are four steps to take if you're labeled an underperformer at work.
Seek clarity
Many times, if there isn't clarity about what is being asked of an employee or if they don't fully understand what their manager is looking for, it creates a gap — first in communication, then in performance.
Maybe there is a misunderstanding of what the goals are versus what the manager has been expecting. If that's the case, it's time to assess bridging the gap.
When having a conversation with your manager, ask: What am I being measured against? What does success look like in the next 60 to 90 days?Can you help me understand where I'm missing the mark? How does that align with the team's expectations and the greater organizational goals?
By getting clarity, you have something to measure your performance against.
Take action and document it
Once you have had that conversation with your manager and understand the expectations, it's time to take action and track your progress.
I tell people all the time, "You need to document, document, document," because you have to make sure that you're covering yourself in the work that you're doing.
This might include documenting any kudos you get, your metrics (which your manager should also be tracking), and any internal awards — anything that can show where you're delivering in your role and exceeding.
Check-in with your manager
You should be having weekly, or at least bi-weekly, one-on-ones with your manager. During these conversations, update your manager on your wins, your metrics, and key positive feedback you're receiving.
After your one-on-one, send them a follow-up email: Hey, just as a follow-up, here's my understanding from our conversation. Here are the wins, areas of opportunity, and what I'm focusing on this week.
Your manager might not read it, but at least you're documenting it, sending it out, and taking ownership.
In the end, be thorough in documenting and updating your manager to show that you are progressing toward the goals you have set.
Update your résumé and look elsewhere
Although you might be doing all that you can internally, make sure you're also updating your résumé and LinkedIn. Start tapping into your network and possibly just re-engaging with people that you haven't connected with in a while.
You could check in with your connections and say that you're interested in seeing what openings are available at their organizations.
When doing so, it's best not to bash your old company because, a lot of times, that can reflect poorly on you, and when looking for work, you'll want to keep it more neutral.
If you're asked why you're looking for new opportunities in an interview, you might say: There was a shift in the direction of the organization, and as a result, there was no longer alignment between the work that I was doing and the new priorities that were being implemented. I am looking for a long-term opportunity where I can grow with the next organization that I'm in.
Whatever you do, you don't want to call yourself out and label yourself as an underperformer.
If you're a recruiter with career tips you'd like to share, please contact this editor, Manseen Logan, at [email protected].
Black folks are loud. We laugh loud, we love loud, we protest loud. But when we really want to show our approval, we get quiet first. When we laugh at something funny, like really laugh, it sounds like a thin wheeze before sound bursts forth like a storm. And within seconds of starting South of Midnight, as I walked around the protagonist Hazelâs home and seeing a piece of art that was an obvious and deliberate homage to the painter Annie Leeâs Blue Monday, I wordlessly put my Steam Deck down and took a quiet lap around my living room before I started shouting.
South of Midnight is the latest title from Compulsion Games, a Canadian studio best known for making We Happy Few. It follows Hazel, a young woman who must rescue her mother after a hurricane sweeps their home away. Along her journey, she comes into her powers as a Weaver, or guardians who can see the strands that connect all life in what’s known as the Grand Tapestry and can repair it when those strands get knotted by pain and trauma.
The game is an action platformer. Hazel progresses by using her Weaver abilities to heal the blighted landscape and defeat enemies called haints â a Southern term used to describe gho …
The Kirkland Signature cheesecake, tuxedo bar cake, and tiramisu cheesecake are amazing.
I wasn't a fan of Costco's strawberries-and-cream or carrot-cake bar cakes.
From its $1.50 hot dog combo to the giant slices of pizza, Costco is known for having great deals on its own signature foods.
Outside of lunch, the wholesale retailer also has an impressive dessert selection full of great deals. But are the desserts actually any good?
Over the past few months, I've been visiting Costco's bakery section to try all the made-in-house desserts I could find.
Here's how they stacked up and which ones are actually worth buying.
Editor's Note: Product availability and cost may vary. The prices listed are what the author paid at the time the product was purchased.
Costco's classic cheesecake seems ready to be customized.
Costco cheesecakes can be customized.
Paige Bennett
Costco's 12-inch cheesecake is a staple in the warehouse's cakes and pies section.
Although $19 is a good price for such a big cheesecake, it's one of the most expensive items I purchased.
The texture was so soft that my slice fell apart as I plated it.
Costco's cheesecake would pair well with fresh fruit.
Paige Bennett
I liked that this cheesecake wasn't dense. Instead, it was incredibly fluffy with a texture that reminded me of a soufflé.
It was so light that it started to fall apart when I pulled a slice onto my plate. The taste made up for the messy slice — this cheesecake was super creamy and not overly sweet, with a slight tanginess to balance its flavors.
I can't wait to try it again with fresh fruit.
I found the carrot bar cake around Easter.
The carrot bar cake seemed promising.
Paige Bennett
During one shopping trip, I looked at desserts just a few weeks before the Easter holiday.
I found a pretty bar cake with layers of carrot cake and cream-cheese frosting, plus a smattering of toasted walnuts on top.
At $19 for a cake that's almost 3 pounds, it seemed like an affordable option to bring to a holiday gathering.
I had high hopes, but the carrot bar cake mostly just tasted like frosting to me.
Costco's carrot bar cake had too much frosting, in my opinion.
Paige Bennett
I love carrot cake, but I wished this one had more flavor and moisture in the cake layers.
In my opinion, they were quite dry and tasted a bit bland. I wished the cake had a more spiced flavor.
For the most part, I could only taste the sweet, tangy frosting, which was nice but a little too much for the cake.
The chain's banana cream pie caught my eye with its caramel drizzle.
Costco's banana cream pie has a caramel drizzle.
Paige Bennett
The banana cream pie was about as big as the other cakes in this section, which are 10 inches, and cost $16.
This pie blew me away.
Costco's banana-cream pie was one of my favorite desserts.
Paige Bennett
The pie had a good balance of flavors and textures. The crunchy graham-cracker crust held together well and added a contrast to all the creamy layers.
I liked that the banana pudding had a natural taste, not an artificial one. The caramel on top added some depth in flavor, but it was subtle.
I wish there had been more caramel, and I think I'd slice some fresh banana on top for serving next time, but overall this was one of my favorite Costco desserts.
The chocolate-covered strawberries were available at a discount.
I managed to find some Costco desserts on sale.
Paige Bennett
The chocolate-covered strawberries were in their own little cooler toward the front of the bakery section, and they were marked down from $13 to $6.
On this trip, I went to Costco one day after Mother's Day, so I assumed these were leftovers from the holiday.
Some of the strawberries looked a little worse for wear, but I managed to find some that didn't look past their prime.
I couldn't taste much of the strawberries in these.
I wouldn't buy chocolate-covered strawberries from Costco again.
Paige Bennett
The strawberries selected for this dessert were impressively big, yet they were no match for all of the chocolate they were dipped and drizzled in.
With each bite, I only tasted the rich, hardened chocolate, despite how ripe and juicy the berries were. I'd probably skip these in the future.
Costco's strawberries-and-cream bar cake has an impressive presentation.
I thought the strawberries-and-cream bar cake sounded like a great spring and summer dessert.
Paige Bennett
Although this dessert was among the most expensive desserts I tried at $19, it was well worth that price based on presentation alone.
It has really pretty layers of strawberries, cream, and vanilla cake, plus striped white-chocolate decorations on top.
This cake seems to be a seasonal one that Costco sometimes brings back in the summer months.
The cake was just too sweet for my liking.
I wish the cake had less strawberry filling.
Paige Bennett
I wished this one tasted as good as it looked. I expected it to be sweet — it is dessert, after all — but this cake was too overly sweet to me.
I think it would've had more balanced flavors if it had a little less strawberry filling and thicker layers of cream.
The tuxedo chocolate-mousse cake was another gorgeous dessert.
The tuxedo chocolate-mousse cake from Costco looked gorgeous.
Paige Bennett
Like the strawberries-and-cream cake, the tuxedo cake is a long, rectangular layer cake with a pretty design and white-chocolate decorations on top.
I loved the look of this $18 cake and thought it was the most attractive dessert I purchased.
The fudgy bits were my favorite part of the whole cake.
This dessert is extremely rich and dense, with chocolate in mousse, ganache, and cake forms.
There were fudgy, brownie-like pieces between the layers of mousse and they ended up being my favorite part of the dessert.
I'd like more of the vanilla mousse filling to balance out all of the chocolate, and I'd probably serve this with some strawberries for a fresh element, but this is a tasty and impressive dessert I would buy again.
A bakery staple, the chocolate-chunk cookies come in a pack of 24.
The Kirkland Signature chocolate-chunk cookies seemed like a good value.
Paige Bennett
The chocolate-chunk cookies are a staple in the bakery section of Costco. I got 24 cookies for just $10, and I thought they'd be perfect to pick up for a potluck or other gathering.
They looked great, too — they seemed soft with some crispness on the edges.
The cookies had good flavor, but they need to be eaten with milk.
Costco's choocolate-chunk cookies had a good flavor.
Paige Bennett
Although I prefer baking my own cookies when my sweet tooth strikes, these were a fine alternative.
The cookie was soft without falling apart, and I liked that the chocolate had a strong, sharp flavor to cut through the sweetness of the cookie.
However, these cookies were a little dry, so if I bought them again, I'd also get milk to serve them with.
What I thought were cupcakes from afar were actually some very fudgy "mini cakes."
The Mini All-American Cakes at Costco cost me $9.
Paige Bennett
In the bakery section, I saw a pack of what looked like six cupcakes, but once I got closer, I realized they were pretty large cupcakes or "mini cakes."
The Mini All-American Cakes are seasonal, and a few packs were available during my shopping trip to Costco.
One cake in each pack had a red frosting heart. Most of the packs had the red frosting stuck to the container, but I did find one package with an unblemished frosting heart.
Every mini cake included a generous portion of super fudgy frosting on top, and the pack of six cost $9.
Despite the cute name, this was one intense dessert.
The chocolate Mini All-American Cakes are incredibly rich.
Paige Bennett
I thought the tuxedo chocolate-mousse cake was chocolaty, but these mini cakes put that dessert to shame in terms of chocolate flavor.
It was so intense and rich I could only take one bite, and the chocolate flavor lingered for a long time in my mouth.
These mini cakes are best shared, and I'd need a lot of milk to finish even half of one. In the future, I'd skip these and instead grab a full-size chocolate cake.
The 10-inch chocolate cake was available in multiple different designs.
The Costco cake has marks where you can make 16 slices.
Paige Bennett
The 10-inch chocolate cake with chocolate mousse was available in a few different designs — no personalization needed.
There was a plain option, a birthday option, and a really cute springtime design with floral frosting decorations, which is what I ended up selecting.
This massive cake, which had light cutting guidelines for 16 slices in the frosting, was $16.
The mousse filling helped balance out the rich chocolate cake and frosting.
The flower on top was a nice touch.
Paige Bennett
Although the chocolate cake and the mini cakes are similar, the chocolate mousse layer in the full-size cake added a much-needed lighter, creamy element to balance out the fudgy icing and rich cake.
Because of the added mousse, I'd be more likely to buy this cake again, even though I wasn't a huge fan of the mini cakes.
Costco's lemon-blueberry loaf looked great.
The loaf has a pound-cake base.
Paige Bennett
I picked up Costco's 2-pound lemon-blueberry loaf in the spring.
The loaves looked incredible, with heaps of crumble topping and an icing drizzle all over. It also seemed like a good deal at $9.
This dessert offered bright flavors and a range of different textures.
I was glad to see blueberries throughout the lemon-blueberry loaf from Costco.
Paige Bennett
I cut out a slice and was happy to see blueberries toward the top and middle of the loaf — they hadn't all sunk to the bottom.
The loaf itself was light and spongy with a good lemon flavor, which paired well with the chewy blueberries and crunchy crumble topping. I'd happily buy this dessert again, and I'd love to try it warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
Costco improves on classic vanilla cake by adding a cheesecake layer inside.
Costco has a lot of customizable desserts.
Paige Bennett
I love vanilla cake and cheesecake, so I was particularly intrigued by Costco's 10-inch white cake filled with vanilla-cheesecake mousse.
The entire cake seemed like a great deal, too, at $16. It had a wavy frosting design that could easily be personalized with a message.
This cake was one of the best desserts I tried.
The cheesecake layer was excellent.
Paige Bennett
This was an instant favorite of mine, and I knew right away I'd buy it again for any celebrations I have coming up.
The cake was so light it reminded me of angel-food cake, and the cheesecake was rich, a little dense, and creamy. The thin frosting layer on top was just the right amount to keep the cake from being overly sweet.
It would be even better with fresh fruit on top.
The apple-berry pie included a mix of fruits and a (mostly) golden crust.
The apple-berry pie cost me $16.
Paige Bennett
I was intrigued by this springtime pie, which is filled with apples, strawberries, and raspberries. It had a lattice crust that looked perfectly golden along the edges, but it was a bit pale in the center.
At $16, the pie was one of the more affordable desserts, especially considering how large it was at nearly 5 pounds.
This pie was one of the sweetest desserts I tried.
The Kirkland-Signature apple-berry pie wasn't bad.
Paige Bennett
The Kirkland Signature apple-berry pie will certainly satisfy a sweet tooth.
I found the filling, which was very thick, gooey, and sticky, to be extremely sweet. Even just a couple of bites of this pie felt overwhelming to me.
The outer parts of the crust were perfectly crisp and buttery and melted in my mouth. However, the paler center pieces were soft and slightly soggy.
I could see pieces of strawberry and apple in the filling, but the raspberries seemed to have broken down entirely. I also noticed a lot of seeds in the filling; I didn't taste or feel them in my bites, but they didn't look the most appetizing.
Still, the pie was good, at least in small quantities.
The tiramisu cheesecake was the most expensive dessert I found at Costco.
There are only a few Costco desserts I'd skip during my future shopping trips.
Costco's bakery section has been pretty impressive.
Paige Bennett
All in all, I'd buy nine of these 13 desserts again.
There's a tie for my favorite between the banana cream pie and the white cake with vanilla-cheesecake mousse. Both the classic and tiramisu cheesecakes are also high on my list.
I'd skip the chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberries-and-cream bar cake, the carrot bar cake, and the Mini All-American Cakes.
Of course, regardless of which desserts I'd buy again, I'd make sure to get them when I plan to be with friends or family because most of them were massive.
This story was originally published on June 3, 2024, and most recently updated on April 11, 2025.
Login
