Leave it to Costco fans to turn a simple food court run into a viral fall dessert. The latest obsession? Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Sundae, a DIY mashup of the store’s classic pumpkin pie and vanilla soft serve for the ultimate spiced-and-creamy treat.
What began as a quick TikTok video has snowballed into a full-on trend. As clips of people assembling it in Costco parking lots rack up views, curiosity is spreading fast, everyone’s wondering the same thing.
What’s the deal with Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Sundae, and how do you make it?
What’s Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Sundae?
Like most viral food moments, Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Sundae hack found its momentum on TikTok.
Across the app, fans are showing how to turn two of the warehouse’s most beloved staples, the $5.99 pumpkin pie from the bakery and a $1.99 vanilla soft serve from the food court, into one irresistibly cozy dessert.
One video from @eatsbyrachel captures it perfectly: pie, ice cream, and a spoon, all coming together in classic Costco fashion. The steps are simple, and very on-brand for the warehouse favorite:
The steps are simple, and very on-brand for Costco:
- Buy the pumpkin pie (the full 3.6-pound pie, because this is Costco).
- Grab a vanilla soft serve cup from the food court.
- Spoon in layers of pie and ice cream, alternating until your cup is full.
- Stir, dig in, and immediately achieve cozy fall bliss.
“There’s something about that smooth, spiced pumpkin pie filling paired with creamy ice cream,” Morgan says in the clip, before taking a bite and nodding in pure satisfaction.
At less than $8 total, this Costco pumpkin pie and soft serve combo is not just indulgent, it’s budget-friendly.
TikTok and X (Twitter) React to the Pumpkin Pie Sundae
As soon as the video hit TikTok and Instagram, the Costco pumpkin pie sundae trend took off. People either fell head over heels for it or rolled their eyes at the idea of a “hack” that involves buying an entire pie.
“so would you try this pumpkin pie sundae hack at costco do you like costco’s pumpkin pie”, @thehatemodern
“I’m getting so sick of those ‘hack’ posts that make it seem like something easy but then it’s something like buying a WHOLE COSTCO PUMPKIN PIE and a soft serve at the food court to make a pumpkin pie sundae like??? Stop it!!!!”, @TheAmazingMugi
It’s the perfect mix of cozy enthusiasm and internet chaos.
Half of social media is in the Costco parking lot spooning pie and ice cream together, while the other half is laughing about how absurdly on-brand this hack is.
Why Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Sundae Works So Well
At first, the Costco pumpkin pie dessert hack might sound a little extra. But once you think about it, it makes perfect sense.
Costco’s pumpkin pie has long been a cult favorite. It’s huge, rich, and perfectly spiced, not too sweet, with that classic custardy texture. Pairing it with vanilla soft serve adds balance: cool, creamy, and just the right contrast to the warm pumpkin flavor.
The textures also work beautifully, the flaky crust, dense pie filling, and melting ice cream come together in a way that feels nostalgic and comforting. It’s like Thanksgiving dessert in a cup, but with Costco-level scale and affordability.
The Joy of Costco Food Hacks
The best part of any Costco trend is the joy people bring to it. This Pumpkin Pie Sundae isn’t a menu item, it’s a community creation. In one TikTok, a shopper builds it right in her car, layering soft serve over pumpkin pie into a melty masterpiece that instantly lit up the comments.
“That big ass pie was only $6?!” one person shouted. Another wrote, “It’s only $8 total? I’m doing this tomorrow.” Others chimed in with ideas, “This with a warm crumb apple pie 🤤.”
It’s a reminder that Costco isn’t just a store, it’s a culture. People love hacking it, sharing it, and turning everyday warehouse finds into viral comfort food moments.
How to Make Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Sundae at Home
If your local store doesn’t have the food court soft serve, don’t worry, you can easily recreate the Costco pumpkin pie sundae recipe at home.
Here’s how:
- Step 1: Pick up Costco’s pumpkin pie (it’s in the bakery near the cheesecakes).
- Step 2: Buy a tub of Costco’s vanilla ice cream or your favorite store brand.
- Step 3: Warm a slice of pie slightly in the microwave, about 15–20 seconds.
- Step 4: Add a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream, and top with caramel drizzle, chopped pecans, or whipped cream.
Optional: add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or crushed graham cracker crumbs to make it extra fancy.
Variations and Remix Ideas
Fans online have taken the Costco pumpkin pie sundae hack even further.
- Some are blending it into a pumpkin pie milkshake.
- Others are swapping in Costco’s pumpkin cheesecake for a tangier flavor.
- A few are trying it with Costco’s apple pie for a warm-and-cold combo.
- And of course, caramel or butterscotch drizzle makes it taste like fall in a cup.
So, Is Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Sundae Worth the Hype?
Whether you call it a “hack,” a “secret menu item,” or just a really clever idea, Costco’s pumpkin pie sundae has officially become the dessert of the season.
It’s cozy, cheap, and delightfully chaotic, everything we love about fall wrapped into one messy, delicious bite.
So next time you’re doing a Costco run, grab a pie, hit the food court, and make your own Costco pumpkin pie sundae TikTok moment. Just be warned: once you try it, regular pumpkin pie might never taste the same again.
