The “Delicious” Costco Staple I Buy Once a Year Every December (It’s So Much Cheaper)

It’s the most festive (read: busy) time of the year, with pageants, parades, and parties filling up calendars. When it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to gather all of the gifts or prepare all of the food, I look to Santa’s big helper: Costco. 

I’ve been a Costco member for over a decade, and December is the time of year that makes being a part of the warehouse club truly worth it. I cut down on extra grocery store trips by refilling all of our household staples. Paper towels are far from the only thing in my Costco cart. I make every warehouse run worth it by buying gifts, stocking my bar cart, and picking up festive food at the same time. 

This month I’m setting myself up for sweet success by picking up a box (or two!) of Junior’s Mini Cheesecakes from the freezer section.

Costco’s bakery is known for its cheesecake, so you might be wondering why I’m recommending a different dessert. It all comes down to convenience. Junior’s Mini Cheesecakes are so much easier to portion for parties than the oversized bakery find. And because cheesecake is a dessert that freezes beautifully, your guests may never know the difference. 

First made famous in New York City, where Junior’s restaurants are located, the cheesecakes have since become popular across America, thanks to their proliferation into supermarket freezer aisles, including at Costco. This box of 24 mini cheesecakes is divided evenly between three flavors. The three varieties include original, strawberry swirl, and cinnamon apple swirl. 

Cheesecake is a rich and decadent dessert, so often guests take just a small slice. That’s why serving these miniature cheesecakes is such a brilliant idea. They are big enough for two to three bites, which will satisfy any sweet tooth after a holiday feast. 

This box of 24 mini cheesecakes costs just $18.89 at Costco, which comes out to just $0.79 each. I would spend almost double buying these same cheesecakes at a grocery store where I live in Tampa, Florida.

Making homemade cheesecake is a labor of love. Time is in short supply during the holidays, so I let Costco do the work for me. To serve the cheesecakes, thaw as many as you need in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for four to five hours. The cheesecakes are neat and party-ready straight from the package. 

Find it in stores: Junior’s Mini Cheesecakes, $18.89 for 24 mini cheesecakes at Costco

What Costco dessert are you buying for the holidays? Tell us about it in the comments below.

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: The "Delicious" Costco Staple I Buy Once a Year Every December (It’s So Much Cheaper)