Arby's Apple Pie Sundae Copycat Recipe (Better Than Expected)
The warm apple pie topping over cold vanilla soft serve creates the most satisfying temperature contrast. Cinnamon-spiced apples with buttery crust crumbles deliver authentic pie flavor. Way better than expected for fast food.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- apples (peeled, diced) 3 cups
- vanilla ice cream or soft serve 4 cups
- refrigerated pie dough 1 sheet
- unsalted butter 2 tbsp
Seasonings/Sauce
- granulated sugar 1 cup
- ground cinnamon 2 tsp
- lemon juice 1 tbsp
- cornstarch 1 tbsp
- salt 0.25 tsp
- water 0.5 cup
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
48 g
56%
Protein
4 g
5%
Fat
15 g
39%
Cooking steps
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1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Lay the pie dough sheet flat and brush lightly with melted butter, then sprinkle with 1 tsp sugar and 0.5 tsp cinnamon for a crust flavor that mimics Arby’s authentic pie crumble.
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2
Cut pie dough into small 1-inch pieces, bake for 10–12 minutes until golden and crisp, then set aside for assembling your sundae.
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3
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine apples, 1 cup sugar, 1.5 tsp cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, salt, and water. Stirring constantly, cook for 10–15 minutes until apples are tender and sauce is syrupy. Arby’s effect: the cinnamon-sugar mixture and cornstarch thicken the filling to that signature sweet and gooey consistency.
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4
Spoon warm apple pie topping over bowls of vanilla ice cream. Arby’s-tasting tip: serve the apples hot for the true cold-and-warm contrast.
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5
Top with pie crust crumbles and serve immediately—the contrast between warm, spiced apples, cold ice cream, and crunchy crust is exactly what makes Arby’s Apple Pie Sundae special.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this taste exactly like Arby's Apple Pie Sundae?
This copycat recipe closely matches Arby’s version by combining cinnamon-spiced apples, crisp pie crust crumbles, and creamy vanilla ice cream—mirroring Arby’s methods, including a hot apple topping and a cold-soft base for that signature temperature contrast.
Q. Can a home cook make this dessert easily?
Yes! With just five main steps—baking pie dough, simmering apples with cinnamon and sugar, and assembling—the process is straightforward. The techniques used are simple, and detailed temperature and timing cues make the recipe friendly for most home cooks.
Q. Can I substitute any ingredients if I can't find pie dough or fresh apples?
Absolutely. Frozen pie crust or even shortbread cookies can replace the refrigerated pie dough for crumbles. If fresh apples are unavailable, canned apple pie filling can be used, but you may skip the extra sugar and cornstarch.
Q. How many calories are in one serving of this homemade Apple Pie Sundae?
One serving contains about 340 kcal, with 48g of carbs, 4g of protein, and 15g of fat. Keep in mind it’s a dessert, but now you know exactly what’s in your bowl!
Q. Is making this at home better than going to Arby’s?
Homemade means you control the quality—fresh apples, real butter, and your favorite vanilla ice cream. You’ll get generous portions, save money per serving, and can even adjust the sweetness and spice to your taste!
