If you love Costco food court desserts, this homemade Costco Apple Pie Sundae recipe is one you’ll want to try. It combines creamy vanilla ice cream, warm cinnamon-spiced apples, and buttery, crunchy pie crust pieces for a dessert that tastes like apple pie à la mode served in a cup.
The contrast between the cold vanilla ice cream and sweet apple topping makes every spoonful delicious. Best of all, you can recreate this Costco-inspired treat at home with simple ingredients, without baking an entire apple pie.
Whether you’re looking for an easy fall dessert, a sweet treat for Thanksgiving, or a fun way to use fresh apples, this homemade apple pie sundae is a lovely addition to your dessert collection.
Why You’ll Want to Make This Apple Pie Sundae
This dessert brings together everything people love about traditional apple pie, but with far less preparation. Instead of making pastry from scratch or waiting for a whole pie to bake, you prepare a quick apple topping and crisp up a few pieces of ready-made pie crust.
The warm apples soften the vanilla ice cream slightly, creating a creamy cinnamon sauce at the bottom of the cup. Meanwhile, the golden pastry pieces add a satisfying crunch that makes the sundae feel more like a freshly baked dessert.
It’s also easy to customize. You can add extra cinnamon, use your favorite vanilla ice cream, or prepare the apple topping ahead of time for a quick dessert whenever you want one.
What Is the Costco Apple Pie Sundae?
The Costco Apple Pie Sundae, also called the Costco Vanilla Apple Pie Sundae, is a food court dessert featuring vanilla soft serve, sweet apple pie filling, and crunchy cinnamon-flavored pie crust pieces.
Our homemade version recreates those familiar flavors using fresh apples cooked with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. We use store-bought pie crust for convenience and regular vanilla ice cream to achieve a similar creamy texture.
This is an unofficial copycat recipe inspired by Costco’s dessert, not Costco’s original recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Makes 4 sundaes | Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 15 minutes | Total: 25 minutes
For the Cinnamon Apple Pie Filling
- 3 medium apples (approximately 450 g), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Crispy Pie Crust Pieces
- 1 refrigerated pie crust (approximately 200 g)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Assembling the Sundaes
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream or soft serve (approximately 600 g)
- Extra cinnamon, optional
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
Apples: Granny Smith apples are an excellent choice because their tart flavor balances the sweetness of the ice cream. Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples also work well if you prefer a sweeter filling.
Vanilla ice cream: Choose a creamy vanilla ice cream or soft serve. For a texture closer to Costco’s version, let regular ice cream soften slightly before assembling.
Pie crust: Refrigerated pie dough saves preparation time and creates crunchy, buttery pieces. If you enjoy cinnamon-sugar pastries, you might also like our Costco Churros Copycat Recipe, which uses a similar sweet cinnamon flavor combination.
Brown sugar: Adds a gentle caramel-like sweetness to the apple filling. You can substitute granulated sugar, although the finished topping will have a lighter flavor.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the apple juices into a glossy sauce that coats the fruit without making the sundae watery.
How to Make Costco Apple Pie Sundae at Home
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unroll the refrigerated pie crust and cut it into small squares or irregular bite-sized pieces. Arrange them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush lightly with melted butter, then sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Set aside to cool completely.
Step 2: Cook the Cinnamon Apples
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir until the apples are evenly coated.
Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften but still hold their shape.
Step 3: Thicken the Apple Filling
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth.
Pour the mixture into the saucepan and stir gently. Continue cooking for another 1–2 minutes until the liquid becomes thick and glossy.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the filling to cool for several minutes before assembling the sundaes.
Step 4: Layer the Sundaes
Spoon a little cinnamon apple filling into the bottom of four serving cups.
Add a few crispy pie crust pieces, followed by a generous scoop or swirl of vanilla ice cream.
Spoon additional apple filling over the ice cream and finish with more crunchy cinnamon pie crust pieces.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Serve the sundaes while the ice cream is cold and the apple filling is still slightly warm.
For an extra homemade touch, sprinkle a little cinnamon over the top.
Tips for the Best Homemade Apple Pie Sundae
Keep the apples slightly firm. Avoid cooking them until they become mushy. Small, tender apple pieces provide a better texture and make the sundae easier to eat.
Let the topping cool briefly. Very hot apple filling will melt the ice cream too quickly. A slightly warm topping gives you the contrast of temperatures without turning everything into a liquid.
Bake the pastry until completely crisp. The crunchy pie crust is one of the most important parts of this dessert. If the pieces are underbaked, they’ll soften quickly when layered with the ice cream.
Assemble just before serving. You can prepare the apples and pastry ahead of time, but wait until you’re ready to eat before adding the ice cream.
Easy Variations to Try
Caramel Apple Pie Sundae
Drizzle a little salted caramel sauce over the finished sundae for an extra-rich dessert. Caramel is an optional homemade variation rather than a confirmed ingredient in Costco’s standard version.
Apple Pie Sundae with Graham Cracker Crumbs
If you don’t have refrigerated pie crust, substitute crushed graham crackers tossed with a little melted butter and cinnamon. The texture will be different, but it makes an easy no-bake alternative.
Cinnamon Churro Apple Sundae
Replace the crispy pie crust with chopped pieces of homemade Costco Churros. Their cinnamon-sugar coating pairs beautifully with the apple filling.
Extra Creamy Vanilla Sundae
Use premium vanilla bean ice cream and allow it to soften for 3–5 minutes before serving. This creates a smoother, softer texture similar to a food court dessert.
How to Store and Make Ahead
The complete sundae is best enjoyed immediately, but its individual components can be prepared in advance.
Apple filling: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave before serving.
Pie crust pieces: Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If they lose their crispness, warm them briefly in the oven.
Vanilla ice cream: Keep frozen until you’re ready to assemble the sundaes.
For parties or family gatherings, prepare the apple filling and pastry ahead of time, then set up a small sundae station so everyone can build their own dessert.
More Costco Copycat Desserts to Try
If you enjoy recreating Costco bakery and food court favorites at home, there are several other delicious desserts worth making.
For a rich and creamy autumn treat, try our Costco Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe, which combines smooth cheesecake with warm pumpkin spices.
If you prefer flaky pastries, our Costco Lemon Cream Caramelized Croissant offers a buttery pastry with a sweet lemon cream filling.
Our Costco Churros Copycat Recipe is another great option for anyone who loves crispy cinnamon-sugar desserts.
And when the holiday season arrives, don’t miss our Costco Peppermint Bark Recipe, made with layers of chocolate and crunchy peppermint candy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Costco’s Apple Pie Sundae?
Costco’s Vanilla Apple Pie Sundae contains vanilla soft serve, apple pie filling, and cinnamon-dusted pie crust pieces. The ingredients are layered in a cup to create a dessert inspired by apple pie à la mode.
Is the Costco Apple Pie Sundae seasonal?
Yes. The dessert was introduced as a seasonal food court offering in October 2026. Availability may vary between Costco locations.
Can I use canned apple pie filling?
Absolutely. Replace the homemade cinnamon apples with approximately 1½–2 cups of canned apple pie filling. Warm it slightly before assembling the sundaes.
Can I make this recipe without an oven?
Yes. Use ready-made pie crust cookies, cinnamon graham crackers, or crushed shortbread biscuits instead of baking your own pastry pieces.
What apples are best for apple pie sundaes?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady are good options. Granny Smith provides a tart contrast to the sweet vanilla ice cream, while Honeycrisp and Pink Lady offer a naturally sweeter flavor.
Can I make the sundae ahead of time?
You can prepare the apple topping and crispy pastry in advance, but assemble the sundaes just before serving to prevent the ice cream from melting and the pastry from becoming soggy.
Final Thoughts
This homemade Costco Apple Pie Sundae is a simple way to enjoy the flavors of apple pie without baking an entire dessert. Sweet cinnamon apples, creamy vanilla ice cream, and crunchy pastry pieces come together in just 25 minutes.
Whether you’re recreating Costco’s newest food court treat or looking for an easy fall dessert, this copycat sundae is a delicious option for apple lovers.
Costco Apple Pie Sundae Recipe (Easy Copycat)
Recreate the Costco Apple Pie Sundae at home with creamy vanilla ice cream, warm cinnamon-spiced apples, and crunchy, buttery pie crust pieces. This easy homemade dessert is ready in just 25 minutes!
Ingredients
Cinnamon Apple Filling
- - 3 medium apples (approximately 450 g), peeled, cored, and diced
- - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- - 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- - 2 tablespoons water
- - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Crispy Pie Crust
- - 1 refrigerated pie crust (approximately 200 g)
- - 1 tablespoon melted butter
- - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Sundaes
- - 4 cups vanilla ice cream or soft serve (approximately 600 g)
- - Extra ground cinnamon, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the pastry: Unroll the refrigerated pie crust and cut it into small, bite-sized squares. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add cinnamon sugar: Brush the pastry pieces with melted butter. Mix the sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the pastry.
- Bake the pie crust: Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Cook the apples: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 6–8 minutes until slightly softened.
- Thicken the filling: Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Add to the apples and cook for another 1–2 minutes until thickened.
- Add vanilla: Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the apple filling to cool slightly.
- Assemble the sundaes: Divide some apple filling between four serving cups. Add crispy pie crust pieces, followed by approximately 1 cup of vanilla ice cream per cup.
- Finish and serve: Spoon the remaining apple filling over the ice cream and top with additional crispy pastry pieces. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Use Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples for the best flavor and texture.
Let the apple filling cool slightly before assembling to prevent the ice cream from melting too quickly.
Store leftover apple filling in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Keep the crispy pastry pieces in a separate airtight container.
For a quicker version, substitute 1½–2 cups of canned apple pie filling for the homemade topping.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 sundae (approximately 300 g)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 540 kcalTotal Fat: 27 ggSaturated Fat: 14 ggTrans Fat: 0.5 ggUnsaturated Fat: 10 ggCholesterol: 65 mgmgSodium: 250 mgmgCarbohydrates: 72 ggFiber: 3 ggSugar: 43 ggProtein: 6 gg
