McDonald's Holiday Pie Is Back On the Menu

Apple pie may have started the McDonald's dessert craze, but the chain's Holiday Pie has been getting all the fandom in recent years. As we head into the holidays, we eagerly await any news of its return for the season—and now, that sweet time of year has finally arrived.

McDonald's keeps the return details of its Holiday Pie under wraps each year—it's a secret kept as close to the chest as Starbucks' PSL return date. But fast-food insider Markie Devo just revealed on Instagram that the pie is being rolled out this week. According to his post, the beloved treat has already been spotted in Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania and should be on nationwide menus by the end of this week.

"The pies usually have a slow roll-out, check your app daily. I know NY gets them last. They should be at most participating locations by the end of this week," the post reads.

This sounds about right since in 2023, the pie appeared on the menu on November 15. In 2022, it began rolling out around the end of November.

If you're wondering how long you have to enjoy the beloved item, we'd venture a guess that the pie will be sticking around until after New Year. Last season, the chain began rolling out the Blueberry & Créme Pie, which ultimately replaced the Holiday Pie as a specialty pie on the McDonald's menu, around January 9. So while you might still be able to nab a Holiday Pie in January, its days on the menu are numbered past the holiday season. The availability will also depend on how quickly supplies run out at different McDonald's locations. So if the pie is quite popular in your area, it will likely be gone from the menu sooner.

What Is the McDonald's Holiday Pie?

Going strong since 1999, the McDonald's Holiday Pie is a seasonal treat that makes an appearance on the menu once a year. It's pretty similar to the iconic apple pie. It consists of a flaky, buttery pie crust shell and a delicious, rich vanilla custard filling. It is topped with a sugar glaze and an adorable sprinkling of rainbow sprinkles, so the pie can look the part. According to the chain's website, the Holiday Pie has 260 calories, which is pretty comparable to the Apple Pie (that one has 230), so the indulgence isn't an over-the-top one.

As far as the actual flavor goes, most people are fans. "They're delicious, I just had two for lunch," said one person on Reddit, and many agreed. "These are my favorite," and "I love taking them home and popping them in the toaster," were just some of the responses.