This 'Italian Ice Cream' Costco Food Court Hack Has Shoppers Raving
A simple upgrade at the Costco food court is turning a basic dessert into something that tastes much more indulgent. Shoppers are mixing a standard ice cream cup with a specialty topping and calling it a budget-friendly take on Italian ice cream that transports you to Europe. I need to try this.
This brilliant dessert hack utilizes the beloved $2 ice cream cup from the Costco food court. Customers can choose vanilla, chocolate or a swirl. Many say vanilla works best for this specific hack because it blends well with the topping and keeps the focus on flavor.
The Costco Food Court Hack That Tastes Like Italian Ice Cream
@photogami Costco Italian ice cream hack 🇮🇹🍒 wow #costco#costcofinds#foodreview#thesushiguy#italianfood
♬ original sound - The Sushi Guy
The key ingredient in this Costco food court hack, courtesy of user @photogami, is Fabbri Amarena wild cherries in syrup. These cherries are known for their sweet-tart flavor and soft texture. They are often used in desserts like gelato in Italy, which is why many people compare this combination to Italian ice cream.
The cherries are typically sold in specialty jars and can cost around $10, depending on location. Even though they are not part of the standard Costco food court menu, some shoppers bring them in or purchase them separately to create this summer dessert hack.
When added to the ice cream cup, the cherries change the flavor in a big way. One person who tried it described the experience as a flavor bomb with sweetness, tartness and a soft bite all at once. They rated the dessert a perfect 10.
Fabbri Amarena cherries are not like regular maraschino cherries. They are semi-candied wild cherries preserved in syrup, made using a traditional Italian recipe dating back over a century. The flavor is more complex and less sugary, which helps balance the simple sweetness of the Costco ice cream.
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Why This Costco Summer Dessert Hack Is Going Viral
Part of what makes this Costco hack so popular is how easy it is to recreate. The Costco food court already offers a cheap ice cream base, and adding cherries turns it into something that feels more like a dessert you would find at an Italian eatery.
Shoppers say the contrast between cold creamy ice cream and soft tart cherries makes each bite more exciting. It is also a flexible summer dessert since you can control how many cherries you add or switch between vanilla, chocolate or swirl.
While it is not an official menu item, the Costco food court hack shows how creative shoppers can be. With just ice cream and a jar of cherries, a basic treat becomes something that feels closer to a premium Italian ice cream experience without the high price.
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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 8:25 PM.