Copycat McDonald’s Holiday Pie Recipe

There’s something oddly magical about that flaky pocket of vanilla-filled warmth that McDonald’s rolls out just once a year. If you’ve ever found yourself scanning the drive-thru menu in December hoping it’s back, this Copycat McDonald’s Holiday Pie recipe is for you.

It’s creamy, sugar-dusted, sprinkled with color, and melts into that sugar-cookie-laminated crust in the most satisfying way. This version lets you bring it home, where the pies are warm from the oven and the sprinkles are generously scattered by hand. No app required, no limited time only. Just the scent of custard and pastry filling your kitchen.

You can tweak it to be richer, more buttery, or even plant-based. But the result will always feel like a cozy little celebration in your hands.

How to Make McDonald’s Holiday Pie at Home

Start by making a quick eggless vanilla custard, smooth, glossy, and thick enough to slice but soft enough to melt on the tongue. While that cools, mix up a simple crust with shortening for that bakery-style flake and tenderness. Assemble like little hand pies, bake them to a light golden hue, glaze them while warm, and finish with a joyful mess of sprinkles.

It’s holiday magic, no matter the month.

Nutrition Facts (per pie)

Calories: ~260
Fat: ~12 g
Carbohydrates: ~33 g
Sugar: ~15 g
Protein: ~3 g

Ingredients (Makes 10 mini pies)

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour + cooling
Servings: 10 individual pies

For the Crust:

• 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup (40 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp fine salt
• ¾ cup (150 g) vegetable shortening (or palm shortening), cold and diced
• 6–8 tbsp ice water
• 1 tsp white vinegar (optional, for tenderness)

For the Eggless Vanilla Custard Filling:

• 2 cups whole milk, cold
• 5 tbsp cornstarch
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix (just the powder)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅛ tsp almond extract (optional)
• Tiny pinch of turmeric (optional, for pale yellow color)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for extra creaminess)

For the Glaze and Finish:

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Multicolored nonpareil sprinkles (about 2 tbsp)

Tools You’ll Need:

• Mixing bowls
• Saucepan and whisk
• Rolling pin
• Bench scraper or ruler
• Parchment-lined baking sheets
• Pastry brush
• Small knife
• Fork for crimping
• Spoon or offset spatula

Instructions

1. Make the Custard

Whisk milk, cornstarch, sugar, and pudding mix in a saucepan until smooth. Set over medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened, about 4–5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, almond extract, turmeric, and butter. Pour into a shallow dish and cover with plastic wrap pressed to the surface. Cool to room temp. You want it spreadable, not soupy.

2. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold shortening until the mix resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 6 tbsp ice water and vinegar until a soft dough forms. Add the extra tablespoons of water only if needed. Divide into 2 disks and chill for 30 minutes.

3. Roll and Cut

Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Roll each dough disk on a floured surface to about ⅛-inch thick. Cut into 20 rectangles, about 3×5 inches. Keep extras chilled while assembling.

4. Fill and Seal

Place half the rectangles on a parchment-lined sheet. Add 2 tbsp custard to each, keeping a ½-inch border. Brush edges with water or milk. Top with the second rectangle and crimp with a fork. Cut 2–3 small slits on top for venting.

5. Bake

Bake for 14–18 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn golden. These should stay pale, like the original. Cool for 10 minutes on the tray.

6. Glaze and Sprinkle

Mix glaze ingredients until pourable. Spoon over each warm pie and top immediately with sprinkles. Let set for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Don’t overbake! McDonald’s pies are pale with lightly golden edges.
• Chill the dough between steps to keep it easy to handle.
• Let the custard cool fully so it doesn’t run when baking.
• Use a sharp knife for clean vents so steam escapes without cracking the crust.
• Serve warm for peak gooey, cozy texture.

What to Serve With

Sweet Pairings

• Vanilla bean ice cream: Serve a warm pie alongside a scoop for that hot-and-cold combo that hits every time.
• Hot cocoa or vanilla chai latte: Something creamy and warm with spice or sweetness enhances the custard and crust perfectly.
• Whipped cream cloud: A dollop on the side, just for fun. Extra festive if you dust it with cinnamon sugar or edible glitter.

Savory Balance

• Crispy hash browns: It might sound wild, but one flaky bite of Holiday Pie and one salty crunch of hash brown is an unexpectedly perfect match.
• Bacon or turkey sausage links: If you’re having this for a holiday brunch, a little saltiness rounds it out beautifully.
• Sharp cheddar slices or aged gouda: The sweet vanilla pie pairs surprisingly well with a small piece of nutty cheese on the side.

Variations

Rainbow Sprinkle Upgrade

Use seasonal nonpareils (pastel for spring, orange and black for Halloween, etc.) to turn this into an all-year treat.

Chocolate Custard Swap

Replace 2 tbsp pudding mix with chocolate pudding powder and add 1 tbsp cocoa for a rich twist. Still magical.

Deep-Fried Remix

Brush with milk, then shallow-fry the already baked pies in 350°F oil for 30–60 seconds per side. Adds serious crunch.

Mini Hand Pie Version

Cut dough into 3-inch circles and fill with just 1 tbsp custard each for adorable bite-sized versions. Perfect for parties.

Glazed Donut Vibe

Add ½ tsp butter extract to the glaze and skip the sprinkles for a Krispy Kreme-esque finish. It’s not traditional, but wow.

Ingredient Substitutes

Crust

Original: All-purpose flour + shortening
Substitutes: Use all-butter crust for richer flavor (less authentic), or store-bought pie dough for convenience.

Custard

Original: Eggless, starch-thickened vanilla custard
Substitutes: Swap for vanilla pastry cream with egg yolks if you want deeper flavor, or use boxed pudding for a shortcut.

Pudding Mix

Original: Instant vanilla pudding powder
Substitutes: Omit and increase cornstarch by 1 tbsp, or use custard powder if available.

Almond Extract

Original: Adds depth
Substitutes: Use butter extract or skip entirely. Vanilla alone still works beautifully.

Glaze

Original: Powdered sugar + milk + vanilla
Substitutes: Use a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk for a thicker, richer topping, or maple syrup glaze for fall flair.

Sprinkles

Original: Classic nonpareils
Substitutes: Crushed colored sugar, holiday jimmies, or edible glitter. Anything bright and joyful works.