Copycat Arby’s Apple Pie Shake Recipe

If you’ve ever wanted the cozy, cinnamon-spiced joy of an apple pie in milkshake form, this is your golden ticket. The Arby’s Apple Pie Shake isn’t just fall in a cup, it’s a warm hug disguised as a cold drink. It’s got the nostalgic tang of baked green apples, the creaminess of a vanilla shake, and a crown of whipped cream and cinnamon sugar that practically whispers sweater weather.

The first time I tried this shake, it was on a road trip through Tennessee, leaves swirling in amber spirals outside the car window. I pulled into an Arby’s for a quick turkey sandwich, but that little “apple pie in a sip” sign stopped me. I ordered one on a whim. Took a sip. Closed my eyes. And honestly? For a few seconds, the traffic, the schedule, even the GPS voice faded away. All that mattered was that smooth, spiced, cool comfort. This copycat brings that same experience home, no drive-thru required.

Best of all, you can make it whenever the craving hits, not just during Arby’s fall promo window. Whether you’re curling up with a movie or serving dessert after Thanksgiving dinner, this shake shows up big.

How to Make Copycat Arby’s Apple Pie Shake

Start by making a quick apple pie reduction on the stovetop. Dice tart apples and simmer them down with brown sugar, cinnamon, apple juice, and a splash of lemon to brighten the whole mix. Chill it until cold. Then, blend that into vanilla ice cream and milk until smooth but still flecked with tender bits of apple. Pour into a chilled glass, top with whipped cream, and finish with a generous dusting of cinnamon sugar.

It’s thick, cool, creamy, and absolutely loaded with that “just-baked” flavor, without ever turning on the oven.

Nutrition Facts (per 14 oz serving)

Calories: ~600
Total Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Carbohydrates: 95 g
Sugar: 80 g
Protein: 9 g

Ingredients (1 large shake)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 1 large (14 oz)

Apple Pie Reduction

• 1 cup tart apples, peeled and finely diced (Granny Smith preferred)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 3 tbsp apple juice or cider
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Tiny pinch of nutmeg (⅛ tsp or less)
• Small pinch of salt

Shake Base

• 1½ cups vanilla ice cream (low butterfat style preferred)
• ⅓ cup whole milk (cold)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp caramel sauce (optional but recommended)

Toppings

• Whipped cream
• 1 tsp cinnamon sugar mix (1 tbsp white sugar + ⅛ tsp cinnamon)

Tools You’ll Need

• Small saucepan
• Spatula or spoon
• Blender (any standard one works)
• Ice cream scoop
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Glass (14–16 oz)
• Spoon or piping bag for whipped cream

Instructions

1. Make the apple pie reduction (10–12 minutes)

Add diced apples, sugars, apple juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir often. Simmer until apples are soft and the liquid thickens into a syrupy glaze. Lightly mash the apples to create a loose purée with small chunks. Transfer to a bowl and chill completely (at least 15 min in fridge or 5 min in freezer).

2. Blend the shake base (1–2 minutes)

Add 110g (about ½ cup) of the cold apple reduction to a blender along with vanilla ice cream, milk, vanilla extract, and optional caramel. Blend on low to medium speed just until smooth. You want tiny apple pieces still visible. Don’t overblend.

3. Serve and top (1 minute)

Pour the shake into a chilled glass. Top generously with whipped cream. Dust with cinnamon sugar until it looks like a fall dessert dream.

Tips

• For the smoothest texture, chill both the apple mix and your serving glass beforehand.
• Want a stronger apple punch? Add 1 extra tablespoon of reduction.
• Don’t skip the salt, it deepens the apple and spice notes.
• Optional caramel swirl inside the glass gives it a rich finish (not in the original, but highly delicious).
• If your apples aren’t tart enough, add another ¼ tsp lemon juice.

What to Serve With

Cozy sweet pairings:

• Snickerdoodles or cinnamon shortbread – Their soft crumble matches the whipped cream and echoes the warm cinnamon notes perfectly.
• Mini pumpkin muffins – The spiced earthiness of pumpkin blends beautifully with the apple’s brightness.
• Caramel popcorn – A salty-sweet crunch that adds texture and nostalgia. Movie night just got an upgrade.

Savory companions:

• Roast turkey sliders – Lean into the Thanksgiving vibes with a savory bite on the side. The creamy shake cools every herby bite.
• Thick-cut potato wedges with sea salt – Crispy, salty, and simple. Dunk one in the shake for a guilty pleasure moment you’ll come back to.
• Cheddar apple grilled cheese – Trust me. The buttery crunch, melty cheddar, and tart apple slices inside the sandwich go surprisingly well with this creamy dessert drink.

Light fruity bites:

• Sliced pears or red grapes – A juicy, light side to cut the richness.
• Toasted walnuts or candied pecans – Sprinkle a few on a plate to crunch between sips. Bonus if you toast them with a bit of maple syrup.

Variations

Mini Pie Shake
Use half the apple reduction and only 1 cup of ice cream for a kid-sized or lighter portion. Great for after-lunch sweet cravings.

Boozy Apple Pie Shake
Add a shot of bourbon or spiced rum to the blender for an adult-only version that warms as it chills. Cozy enough to sip fireside.

Dairy-Free Twist
Substitute oat milk and your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream. Use coconut whip on top and skip the caramel for a plant-based treat that still delivers the pie vibes.

Apple-Cinnamon Crumble Shake
Add 1 tablespoon of crushed cinnamon cookies or streusel to the blender for a faux crust twist inside the shake. Not true to the Arby’s original, but it’s insanely good.

Extra Apple Pop
Fold in 1 tablespoon of apple butter after blending for even more concentrated fruit flavor. This version leans sweeter and darker, great for apple lovers.

Ingredient Substitutes

Apples
Original: Granny Smith
Substitutes: Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or any tart apple. Avoid mealy ones like Red Delicious.

Brown Sugar
Original: Light brown
Substitutes: Dark brown sugar (for a deeper molasses flavor), coconut sugar, or maple syrup (reduce liquid elsewhere)

Milk
Original: Whole milk
Substitutes: 2% milk, oat milk, evaporated milk, or almond milk (less creamy but works)

Vanilla Ice Cream
Original: Basic soft-serve style vanilla
Substitutes: Frozen yogurt, banana-based nice cream (for a fruitier angle), or dairy-free ice cream like almond or cashew milk-based

Caramel Sauce
Original: Optional
Substitutes: Butterscotch sauce, maple syrup, or leave it out for a lighter profile

Whipped Cream
Original: Dairy whip
Substitutes: Coconut whip, soy-based whipped cream, or homemade vanilla whipped cream

Cinnamon Sugar Topping
Original: White sugar + cinnamon
Substitutes: Brown sugar + cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice mix, or a dusting of crushed graham crackers

Honest Review

After a few test batches and tweaking the apple-to-dairy ratio, this version of the Arby’s Apple Pie Shake hits almost all the right notes. The texture is smooth and creamy without being too thick to sip, and those little apple bits? They give it just enough bite to remind you this isn’t some bottled syrup shortcut. The cinnamon sugar dusting on top really seals the deal. It tastes like October in a glass.

Is it exactly like Arby’s? Not 100%. They’ve probably got custom soft-serve machines and proprietary flavor syrups that hit harder in the artificial-apple department. But I’ll be honest, this homemade version feels realer. More like something you’d serve at a fall gathering or make after a walk through crunchy leaves.

The apple flavor is warm, gently tart, not candy-sweet. The spices linger. It’s satisfying in a way that store-bought just isn’t. If you’re after that drive-thru fall shake feeling without leaving home, this is a cozy, craveable stand-in. I’ve already made it twice this week… and I’m not sorry.