If rich layers of chocolate cake, fluffy chocolate and white chocolate mousse, and a glossy blanket of ganache sound like pure dessert heaven, the Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe is exactly what you’re dreaming of. Inspired by that iconic bakery staple, this creation captures every bit of its decadent, multi-layered charm—right from your own kitchen. Each forkful is a celebration of textures and flavors: moist chocolate cake, silky mousse, and glossy ganache, all topped with a flourish of chocolate curls. Whether for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself, this showstopper will steal the scene (and hearts) every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe uses straightforward, familiar ingredients, but together, they create a luxurious dessert that looks as impressive as it tastes. Each element plays a unique role in the cake’s signature texture, color contrast, and irresistible flavor layers.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for your cake layers, providing structure and softness at the same time.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Key to deep, chocolatey flavor and the cake’s beautiful dark crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and keeps the cake moist and tender.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that give the cake its rise and lightness.
- Salt: Balances all the sweet elements and sharpens the chocolate notes.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Buttermilk: Gives tang, tenderness, and helps activate leaveners for a perfectly moist crumb.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps each bite melt-in-your-mouth moist long after baking.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts all the chocolate flavors and rounds them out with warmth.
- Hot water: Blooms the cocoa, ensuring deep chocolate intensity throughout.
- Heavy whipping cream: Adds richness and creates that dreamy mousse and silky ganache.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Used in both mousse and ganache for a balanced chocolate layer.
- White chocolate chips: The sweet secret to a smooth, creamy, and elegant white mousse layer.
- Optional toppings (shaved chocolate, chocolate curls, whipped cream): Total show-off toppings that make your cake look straight from a bakery display.
How to Make Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Cake Pans and Mix the Dry Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy release. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step evenly distributes the leaveners so your cake rises consistently and gives a deeply chocolatey, fine crumb.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients and Combine
Add the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the bowl of dry ingredients. Whisk until smooth and well-blended. Then, carefully pour in the hot water and stir until the batter is combined. Don’t be alarmed if it looks thin; this is exactly what makes chocolate cake extra-moist and luscious.
Step 3: Bake the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once ready, let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. For perfectly layered results, chill or lightly freeze the cakes before slicing them in half horizontally to create four thin layers.
Step 4: Make the Chocolate Mousse
To whip up the mousse, heat 1 cup of heavy cream until just simmering, then pour it over the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Wait one minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Chill until it’s cool and slightly thickened, then whip with a mixer until light and airy—it should stand in soft peaks but still be spreadable.
Step 5: Make the White Chocolate Mousse
Repeat the same method as above using white chocolate chips and heavy cream. This dreamy white layer not only contrasts beautifully in the cake but also adds a creamy sweetness that balances the rich chocolate notes. Chill and whip until perfectly fluffy.
Step 6: Assemble the Cake
Set one cake layer on your serving plate or cake board. Gently spread on the chocolate mousse, top with another cake layer, then spread the white chocolate mousse. Continue layering, alternating mousse and cake, ending with the final cake layer on top. Chill the whole cake for at least 1 hour to set the structure for neat slicing.
Step 7: Make and Pour the Ganache
Heat the remaining cup of heavy cream until just simmering. Pour it over the semi-sweet chocolate chips, let it sit, then stir until it becomes a silky, glossy ganache. Let it cool just enough to thicken slightly, then pour it over your chilled cake, so it elegantly drips down the sides. A few swoops with a spatula and it’ll look bakery-worthy!
Step 8: Garnish and Chill
If desired, decorate with chocolate curls, shavings, or a few swoops of piped whipped cream for an ultra-luxe look. Refrigerate until you’re ready to impress your guests (or yourself) with a slice!
How to Serve Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe
Garnishes
The finishing touch makes all the difference. Freshly shaved chocolate, a cascade of chocolate curls, or delicate rosettes of whipped cream take the Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe from delicious to dazzling. For a bakery-worthy flourish, try dusting lightly with cocoa powder or even a scattering of edible gold leaf for a festive event.
Side Dishes
This cake is rich and layered, so simple sides shine brightest. A few fresh raspberries, a dollop of vanilla bean ice cream, or even a cup of hot espresso help balance the sweetness and make each bite pop. Lightly sweetened whipped cream on the side adds a soft, creamy contrast to the bold chocolate flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a modern twist, try serving small, individual slices on elegant plates with a drizzle of raspberry or caramel sauce. For parties, cut the cake into generous squares or mini portions—perfect for an impressive dessert buffet. Stack slices with airy whipped cream and berries for a deconstructed dessert, or layer in jars for edible gifts everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover slices of the Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The layers will stay perfectly moist and the mousse will remain creamy, so you’ll enjoy every forkful just as much as the first.
Freezing
This recipe is impressively freezer-friendly. Wrap the whole cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge. The mousse and ganache retain their velvety texture, making it a wonderful make-ahead dessert for special occasions.
Reheating
Tuxedo Cake is best served chilled, so no need to reheat. If you prefer a slightly softer ganache, take the cake out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving. This brings the mousse and ganache to the perfect texture without losing that signature bakery-fresh taste.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe without buttermilk?
Absolutely! Simply mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, let it sit for five minutes, and use it as a perfect substitute for buttermilk in the Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe.
How do I get clean, even layers when slicing the cakes?
The most reliable trick is to freeze the cake layers for 30 minutes before slicing. A long, serrated knife works wonders. Take it slow and steady for that picture-perfect layered effect!
Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet for the mousse?
Definitely! If you love a bolder, more intense flavor, dark chocolate can be swapped in at a 1:1 ratio for the semi-sweet chocolate chips. It makes the mousse slightly richer and less sweet.
Is this recipe suitable for making cupcakes?
Yes, you can use the same batter for cupcakes—just adjust the baking time to about 18 to 22 minutes. Pipe a swirl of the mousse and a drizzle of ganache on top for buffet-style treats!
What’s the best way to get those fancy chocolate curls?
Use a vegetable peeler on a block of good-quality chocolate at room temperature. Gently press and pull the peeler across the edge—voila, bakery-style curls to finish off your Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re recreating the star dessert from your favorite big-box bakery or simply want to treat yourself to a chocolate masterpiece, this Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe brings the magic home in the most delicious way. Don’t be surprised if your kitchen becomes everyone’s favorite “bakery” after just one bite—give it a try and create unforgettable celebrations, one decadent layer at a time!
Print
Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the decadent Tuxedo Cake with this Costco copycat recipe. Layers of moist chocolate cake sandwich velvety chocolate and white chocolate mousses, topped with a rich ganache. Perfect for special occasions or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake Layers:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water
For the Chocolate Mousse Layer:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the White Chocolate Mousse Layer:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional Toppings:
- Shaved chocolate
- Chocolate curls
- Piped whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans.
- Prepare the Cake Layers: Mix dry ingredients, add wet ingredients, pour in hot water, and bake.
- Make the Chocolate Mousse: Heat cream, pour over chocolate chips, chill, then whip until fluffy. Repeat for white chocolate mousse.
- Assemble the Cake: Layer cake with chocolate and white chocolate mousse, ending with a cake layer on top. Chill.
- Prepare the Ganache: Heat cream, mix with chocolate chips, cool slightly, then pour over chilled cake.
- Garnish and Serve: Decorate with chocolate curls or whipped cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- For easier slicing, freeze cake layers for 30 minutes before cutting.
- This cake tastes best chilled and can be made ahead 1–2 days in advance.
- Use high-quality chocolate for superior flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
