If you have a sweet tooth and a soft spot for elegant layered desserts, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe. This show-stopping cake is a beautiful harmony of rich chocolate, silky mousse, and creamy ganache that mirrors the iconic Costco favorite you already love. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a luxurious treat, this recipe brings that bakery-quality indulgence right into your kitchen, delivering layers of flavor and texture that are as impressive as they are delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind the Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each element plays a crucial role: the chocolate cake layers provide a moist and tender base, the mousse layers bring smooth creaminess, and the ganache adds a luscious finish that ties everything together beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake, giving it structure and softness.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Offers deep, rich chocolate flavor for the cake layers.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and balances the chocolate’s bitterness perfectly.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure the cake rises and stays light.
- Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
- Large eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderizes the crumb for a moist bite.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake soft and moist.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and aroma into the cake layers.
- Hot water: Brings out the richness of cocoa powder and smooths the batter.
- Heavy whipping cream: Essential for both mousses and ganache for creamy texture.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Key for the chocolate mousse and ganache with a balanced chocolate taste.
- White chocolate chips: Create the luscious white chocolate mousse layer that contrasts beautifully with the dark chocolate.
- Optional toppings: Chocolate shavings, curls, or whipped cream to finish and decorate your masterpiece.
How to Make Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Layers
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get two 9-inch cake pans ready by greasing and lining them with parchment paper. Mixing the dry ingredients—the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt—is your first step to achieving a perfectly balanced chocolate base. Then add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, mixing until the batter is smooth. Slowly fold in hot water to bring all those flavors together and loosen the batter. It will be thin, but don’t worry—it bakes into a wonderfully moist and tender cake. Divide the batter evenly, bake for about 30–35 minutes, and test with a toothpick for doneness. Once out of the oven, cool completely before slicing each cake layer in half, giving you four elegant thin layers ready to build your cake.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate and White Chocolate Mousse
The mousse layers are what give this copycat cake that luxurious texture. To make the chocolate mousse, gently heat one cup of heavy whipping cream until it just starts to simmer—don’t let it boil. Pour this hot cream over the semi-sweet chocolate chips and let them melt undisturbed for a minute. Then stir until perfectly smooth, chill until the mixture thickens slightly, and whip it to create a light, airy mousse. Repeat this exact process with white chocolate chips for the white chocolate mousse layer that brightens the cake and adds delightful contrast.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake Layers
Now comes the fun part—layering! Place one cake strip on your serving plate or cake board and spread a generous layer of chocolate mousse over it. Add the next cake layer, then spread white chocolate mousse. Continue alternating until all four layers have been stacked, finishing with a cake layer on top. Pop your cake into the fridge to chill for at least an hour, allowing the mousse to set and flavors to meld.
Step 4: Prepare and Pour the Chocolate Ganache
For that ultimate glossy finish, the ganache is key. Heat cream until it starts to simmer and pour it over semi-sweet chocolate chips, just like you did with the mousse. After letting it sit, stir gently until smooth and let the ganache cool just enough so it thickens but is still pourable. Pour it over the chilled cake, letting it flow down the sides for a dramatic effect. You can garnish with shaved chocolate, curls, or piped whipped cream to add your personal touch before refrigerating until you are ready to slice and serve.
How to Serve Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe
Garnishes
Adding the right garnishes can turn your homemade cake into a stunning centerpiece. Elegant chocolate curls or shaved chocolate add texture and a touch of sophistication, while piped whipped cream offers a creamy compliment that pairs beautifully with the richness of this cake. Even fresh berries can brighten up the presentation and add a hint of tartness balancing the sweetness.
Side Dishes
Serving the Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe alongside a light accompaniment can enhance the overall experience. Try fresh raspberry coulis or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic pairing. For a festive touch, a simple glass of cold milk or even a robust cup of coffee will perfectly complement the cake’s chocolate decadence.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to get creative with how you display this cake. Consider serving individual slices on elegant dessert plates with a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar. You can even cut the cake into small squares or finger slices for parties, making it easy for guests to enjoy a bite of this luscious dessert without fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This cake keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure it’s stored in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent it from absorbing any fridge odors, so every slice tastes as fresh as the first.
Freezing
If you want to prepare the Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe ahead of time, freezing is a great option. Wrap the entire cake in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and freeze for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight to keep the mousse layers intact.
Reheating
Since this is a mousse-based cake, reheating is not recommended. The best way to enjoy it is chilled for the perfect texture and flavor balance. Serving it straight from the fridge ensures that the layers hold their shape and the ganache remains glossy.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk for the cake layers?
While buttermilk adds a tender texture and slight tang that enhances the chocolate flavor, you can substitute regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic that effect if you don’t have buttermilk on hand.
Is it necessary to chill the mousse before whipping?
Yes! Chilling the mousse mixture until it thickens slightly helps achieve that light and fluffy texture once whipped, which is crucial for the smooth and airy layers in this Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend suited for baking. The texture may vary slightly, but the flavor and overall experience will still be delightful.
How long can I leave the cake at room temperature before serving?
Due to the mousse and ganache layers containing cream, it’s best to keep the cake refrigerated and only leave it out for about 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving to maintain safety and texture.
Can I omit the white chocolate mousse layer?
Absolutely! If you prefer a simpler chocolate cake, you can skip the white chocolate mousse layer or replace it with extra chocolate mousse. The cake will still be rich and delicious, just with a more uniform chocolate flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe is one of those desserts that feels special the moment you cut into it. The beautiful layers of chocolate and white chocolate mousse paired with moist cake and silky ganache make it a dessert worth savoring. Whether for a party, holiday, or any day that calls for a treat, give this recipe a try and enjoy the joy of recreating a beloved classic right at home.
Print
Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Tuxedo Cake Costco Copycat Recipe recreates the iconic layered chocolate cake with rich chocolate and white chocolate mousse layers, topped with a smooth chocolate ganache. Perfect for celebrations or chocolate lovers, this dessert combines moist chocolate cake layers with silky mousses for an indulgently elegant treat.
Ingredients
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
Chocolate Mousse Layer
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
White Chocolate Mousse Layer
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional Toppings
- Shaved chocolate, chocolate curls, or piped whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Gradually stir in hot water until fully combined; batter will be thin.
- Bake Cake Layers: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely. Then, carefully slice each cake in half horizontally to yield four thin layers total.
- Make Chocolate Mousse: Heat 1 cup of heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute to melt. Stir gently until smooth. Chill mixture until slightly thickened, then whip until light and fluffy.
- Make White Chocolate Mousse: Repeat the mousse process with 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup white chocolate chips: heat cream to simmer, pour over chips, let sit, stir until smooth, chill, then whip until fluffy.
- Assemble Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake board. Spread an even layer of chocolate mousse over it. Add the next cake layer and spread white chocolate mousse on top. Continue layering alternating chocolate mousse and white chocolate mousse between cake layers, finishing with a cake layer on top. Chill the assembled cake for at least 1 hour to set.
- Make Ganache and Decorate: Heat 1 cup heavy cream until simmering; pour over 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute. Stir until smooth ganache forms. Allow ganache to cool slightly, then pour over chilled cake, letting it drip down the sides. Garnish with shaved chocolate, curls, or piped whipped cream as desired. Refrigerate until serving.
Notes
- Freeze cake layers for 30 minutes before slicing for easier handling and cleaner cuts.
- This cake is best served chilled and can be made 1–2 days in advance for optimal flavor.
- Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best taste and creamy mousse texture.
