I Tried Costco’s New “Closest Thing to Perfection” Loaf — Here’s My Honest Review

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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published Apr 28, 2023
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Costco lemon blueberry loaf on a plate.
Credit: Patty Catalano

The hottest bakery this spring has been the one inside Costco. All of the hype is owed to the debut of the viral and “dangerously delicious” peanut butter chocolate pie and the return of several fan-favorites, including the cranberry walnut loaf, cinnamon pull-apart rolls, and seasonal mini cakes. I expected the sweets specialists to take a break to bask in their gourmet glory, so I did not anticipate the arrival of yet another new release. Boy, was I wrong. 

Perched on the table’s edge at the main thoroughfare into the bakery I spotted another new item. This time it was a lemon blueberry loaf, and I knew I had to try it.

Credit: Patty Catalano

My Honest Review of Costco’s New Lemon Blueberry Loaf

The appeal of a bright and lighter cake for spring cannot be understated, especially after eating through a dessert as decadent as the peanut butter chocolate pie. Cakes infused with lemon and studded with blueberry are among my favorite flavor combinations. I expected the cake portion of this loaf to offer a hint of lemon flavor, but I could only taste the tartness in the glaze topping. The yellow cake is tasty and tender, studded with whole blueberries (most of which sank to the bottom of the loaf). 

I learned from seeing the cake on social media that this loaf should have been topped with streusel crumbles. Something must have gone awry at my warehouse because there was barely a hint of streusel on the loaves I saw. The powdered sugar glaze carries all of the lemon flavor, so I made sure to savor every iced bite. 

Coming on the heels of the viral phenomenon that is the Costco peanut butter chocolate pie, the Lemon Blueberry Loaf left me underwhelmed. While it is pleasant to snack on a slice for breakfast or as an after-work snack, I wished that every bite would have the zing of fresh citrus and blueberries that didn’t sink to the bottom. Next time I serve a slice of lemon blueberry cake, it’ll come from my kitchen, rather than the bakery section at Costco.

Find it in stores: Costco Kirkland Signature Lemon Blueberry Loaf, $8.99 per loaf

Have you tried this new lemon blueberry loaf? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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