53
The anticipation of McDonald’s Holiday Pie makes this time of year even sweeter! The buttery, flaky crust, creamy vanilla custard filling, and colorful sprinkles make it an irresistible seasonal dessert. But here’s the catch—it’s not always available everywhere, and the wait can leave you craving those classic bites.
Table of Contents
How to make McDonalds Holiday Pie
The McDonald’s Holiday Pie is a seasonal dessert pie with a flaky, buttery crust, filled with sweet custard, glazed with sugar, and topped with rainbow sprinkles.
Ingredients
- 1 package of refrigerated pie crusts (store-bought or homemade if you prefer)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)
- Sugar, for sprinkling
- For the Vanilla Custard Filling
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar or icing glaze, for topping
- Rainbow sprinkles, for that festive touch
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vanilla Custard Filling
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt over medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid clumping.
- Cook the mixture until it thickens into a custard, about 5–7 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and allow the custard to cool completely. Cover it with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap touches the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
Step 2: Assemble the Pies
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the pie crusts and cut them into small rectangular shapes (about 4×3 inches for each piece). You’ll need two pieces per pie—one for the base and one for the top.
- Spoon about 2–3 tablespoons of the cooled custard onto one rectangle, leaving room at the edges to seal.
- Place another rectangle on top, gently pressing the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for that classic pie look.
- Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar for a touch of sweetness.
Step 3: Bake the Pies
- Place the assembled pies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and flaky. Keep an eye on them as cooking times may vary depending on your oven.
Step 4: Decorate Festively
- Once the pies have cooled slightly, drizzle them with a simple icing glaze (made by mixing powdered sugar with a splash of milk until you achieve the right consistency).
- Sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over the glaze to mimic the festive decoration of McDonald’s Holiday Pie.
Tips for Perfect Holiday Pies
- Make Ahead: Prepare the custard a day ahead to save time. Allow ample time for it to cool and thicken.
- Crust Options: Want extra flakiness? Brush your crust edges with butter before baking.
- Customization: Add a drop of food coloring to the custard to make it even more festive—a light yellow or pastel pink works beautifully.
- Don’t Overfill: Too much custard filling may cause the pie to burst while baking, so stick to a small amount for the perfect result.
- Experiment: If you’re feeling extra creative, try swapping the custard with another filling, like chocolate pudding, for a fun twist.
What to serve with
While McDonald’s Holiday Pie shines on its own, pairing it with complementary flavors and treats can elevate your dessert experience.
- Coffee: Pair your Holiday Pie with a warm cup of freshly brewed coffee or a seasonal latte (think peppermint mocha or cinnamon-spiced coffee). The slight bitterness of the coffee balances out the sweetness of the pie perfectly. Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of holiday spices (like nutmeg or cinnamon) to your coffee for an extra festive touch.
- Hot Chocolate: A rich, velvety hot chocolate works wonders with the buttery pie crust. Add marshmallows or drizzle some caramel over your hot chocolate for a decadent pairing. Mix in holiday-themed flavors like mint or vanilla to enhance the festive vibes.
- Milkshakes or Ice Cream Floats: A vanilla or eggnog milkshake can be a fun, chilled pairing. For adults, a splash of rum or whiskey gives the milkshake a holiday twist. Alternatively, add a scoop of ice cream to soda (like root beer or cream soda) to create a fizzy float that complements the pie’s sweetness.
- Tea: Light teas, such as peppermint, chamomile, or cinnamon-apple herbal tea, pair nicely with the Holiday Pie, providing a soothing balance to the dessert’s decadence.
Ingredients Substitutes
Recreating McDonald’s Holiday Pie at home is a fun kitchen adventure, but sometimes you might not have the exact ingredients on hand—or need alternative options to suit dietary restrictions or preferences.
Flaky Crust Substitutes
The flaky pie crust is a signature feature of McDonald’s Holiday Pie. While store-bought crust is convenient, you can explore these alternatives:
- Homemade Pie Dough: If you don’t have store-bought dough or prefer baking from scratch, make your own! Combine all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, sugar, salt, and ice-cold water to create an easy pie crust. Much like the store-bought version, keep the butter chilled for a flaky result.
- Puff Pastry: For an extra buttery and flaky texture, use packaged puff pastry sheets instead of regular pie dough. Puff pastry will yield an airier and more layered crust, giving the pie a refined touch.
- Gluten-Free Pie Crust: To make this recipe gluten-free, swap regular pie dough for your favorite gluten-free pie crust mix or a pre-made gluten-free option. You can also try making a homemade crust using gluten-free flour and xanthan gum for elasticity.
- Phyllo Dough: If you want to try something unique, use phyllo dough. Stack several sheets brushed with melted butter to achieve flaky layers—but be aware that phyllo is more delicate and may require gentler handling.
Vanilla Custard Filling Substitutes
The creamy vanilla custard layered inside the Holiday Pie is what makes this dessert so rich and indulgent. If you need alternatives due to allergies, taste preferences, or ingredient availability, consider these swaps:
- Dairy-Free Milk Alternatives: Replace whole milk with almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or soy milk to make the custard filling dairy-free. Coconut milk is particularly creamy and will give the custard extra richness.
- Egg Replacements: The egg yolks in the custard are key for thickening, but you can replace them depending on the dietary needs:
- Sweetener Options: Swap granulated sugar for alternatives like maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, or monk fruit sweetener. Keep in mind that liquid sweeteners may require slight adjustments to the recipe’s consistency.
- Flavor Variations: If vanilla extract is unavailable, substitute it with almond extract, maple flavoring, rum extract, or a touch of brandy for a fun twist.
- Pre-Made Pudding or Custard: Don’t want to make custard from scratch? Use store-bought vanilla pudding, custard mix, or pastry cream. Simply prepare the pudding according to package directions, allowing it to cool before inserting it into the pie shells.
Final Thoughts
McDonald’s Holiday Pie is a treat made for celebration, and pairing it with complementary flavors and textures makes it even more special.The anticipation of McDonald’s Holiday Pie makes this time of year even sweeter! The buttery, flaky crust, creamy vanilla custard filling, and colorful sprinkles make it an irresistible seasonal dessert. But here’s the catch—it’s not always available everywhere, and the wait can leave you craving those classic bites.
More Pie Recipes:
- Copycat Kraft Apple Pie Mac and Cheese Recipe
- A Wisconsin Christmas Pie Recipe
- Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package of refrigerated pie crustsÂ
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)
- Sugar, for sprinkling
- For the Vanilla Custard Filling
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Powdered sugarÂ
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vanilla Custard Filling
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt over medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid clumping.
- Cook the mixture until it thickens into a custard, about 5–7 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and allow the custard to cool completely. Cover it with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap touches the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
Step 2: Assemble the Pies
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the pie crusts and cut them into small rectangular shapes (about 4x3 inches for each piece). You’ll need two pieces per pie—one for the base and one for the top.
- Spoon about 2–3 tablespoons of the cooled custard onto one rectangle, leaving room at the edges to seal.
- Place another rectangle on top, gently pressing the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for that classic pie look.
- Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar for a touch of sweetness.
Step 3: Bake the Pies
- Place the assembled pies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and flaky. Keep an eye on them as cooking times may vary depending on your oven.
Step 4: Decorate Festively
- Once the pies have cooled slightly, drizzle them with a simple icing glaze (made by mixing powdered sugar with a splash of milk until you achieve the right consistency).
- Sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over the glaze to mimic the festive decoration of McDonald’s Holiday Pie.
