Costco is bringing a taste of autumn to its food court with a new dessert that combines creamy vanilla soft serve, apple pie filling, and cinnamon-dusted pastry pieces. The Vanilla Apple Pie Sundae offers a fresh take on the classic pairing of apple pie and ice cream, all for $2.99. The seasonal treat has already attracted attention from shoppers eager to see how it compares with Costco’s previous specialty desserts. From its layered ingredients to its budget-friendly price, here are five things to know about the new food court favorite.
The Vanilla Apple Pie Sundae Combines Ice Cream and Classic Apple Pie Flavors
Costco is giving its food court a taste of autumn with a dessert that brings together two familiar favorites: vanilla soft-serve ice cream and apple pie. The new Vanilla Apple Pie Sundae features layers of creamy soft serve, apple pie filling, and crunchy pieces of pie crust dusted with cinnamon. The combination offers a convenient take on apple pie à la mode, the classic dessert pairing of warm apple pie and ice cream. Although the sundae is served cold, its apple and cinnamon flavors evoke the comforting taste of traditional fall baking. The layered construction also gives the dessert a mix of textures, from smooth ice cream to soft fruit filling and crisp pastry pieces. For shoppers who enjoy seasonal flavors but want something quick to eat after a warehouse trip, this new food court offering provides a familiar combination in an easy-to-carry cup.
The New Fall Dessert Costs Just $2.99
A seasonal dessert does not have to come with a premium price tag, and Costco is keeping its new apple pie sundae within the food court’s familiar budget-friendly range. The Vanilla Apple Pie Sundae costs $2.99 per cup, making it an affordable option for shoppers who want to try something new without spending much. The price also puts it alongside other limited-time specialty desserts that Costco has introduced in recent years. However, shoppers should remember that menu prices and availability can vary by location, so checking with a local warehouse is sensible before making a special trip. The sundae’s relatively low price may also encourage customers to try it alongside other food court favorites, such as pizza or a hot dog. As with other seasonal menu additions, its appeal comes from combining a new flavor with the value customers have come to expect from Costco’s food court.
Cinnamon-Dusted Pie Crust Pieces Add a Crunchy Texture
The apple filling and vanilla ice cream provide the main flavors, but the pieces of pie crust help give Costco’s new sundae its distinctive character. The pastry pieces are dusted with cinnamon, adding a familiar baking spice that complements the apple topping. They also introduce a crunchy texture that contrasts with the smooth soft serve and softer fruit filling. This combination helps the dessert resemble a deconstructed apple pie rather than a standard ice cream sundae with syrup poured over it. The crust pieces are especially important because they bring a pastry element into every spoonful, creating a closer connection to the traditional dessert that inspired the product. The exact texture can depend on how long the pastry sits against the ice cream and filling, since moisture may soften it over time. Even so, the mix of creamy, fruity, and crunchy elements is central to the sundae’s appeal.
Early Taste Tests Compare It Favorably to the Strawberry Shortcake Sundae
Costco’s seasonal desserts often attract attention from shoppers who enjoy comparing each new flavor with previous food court favorites. Early reactions to the Vanilla Apple Pie Sundae have been enthusiastic, with food reviewers praising the combination of apple filling, vanilla soft serve, and pie crust. Some reviewers have compared it favorably with the Strawberry Shortcake Sundae, a summer offering that helped establish an appetite for specialty desserts beyond Costco’s permanent menu. Others have described the new treat as reminiscent of apple pie à la mode, suggesting that its familiar flavors are a major part of its appeal. These reactions are based on individual taste tests and social media comments, rather than a formal customer survey, so they should not be treated as proof that everyone will prefer it. Still, the positive early response suggests that Costco has found a seasonal combination that resonates with shoppers looking for an autumn-inspired treat.
The Sundae Is a Seasonal Addition to Costco’s Rotating Dessert Menu
Costco’s food court is best known for long-running staples such as pizza and the famous hot dog-and-drink combination, but the company also experiments with specialty desserts. These limited-time offerings give shoppers something different to try without permanently changing the core menu. Previous specialty sundaes have included Strawberry Shortcake, Caramel Brownie, Double Chocolate Mint, Caramel Churro, and Vanilla Cookie Crunch. The Vanilla Apple Pie Sundae follows that pattern by bringing a flavor associated with fall into the food court. It has begun appearing at U.S. warehouse locations as a limited-time item, replacing the summer Strawberry Shortcake Sundae. Costco has not announced a definitive end date for the apple pie version, so shoppers should not assume it will remain available throughout the season. Anyone eager to try it may want to check availability at their local warehouse rather than waiting until later in the fall.
