What to Serve with Pie
While pie is usually a complete dessert all on its own, sometimes you need a little something to add extra pizzazz. Here’s a list of ideas for what to serve with pie! Whether you are serving up a pumpkin pie, apple pie, or a creamy no bake recipe, you’ll find great ideas for what to serve with pie on this list!
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What to Serve with Pie?
From the classic to the unexpected, there are a variety of toppings you can serve with pie! Use your recipe as inspiration…perhaps a no bake cookies and cream pie lends itself to a decadent fudge sauce. A classic apple pie is incredible drizzled with caramel or a dollop of whipped cream. Bold flavors like key lime are best served with something that will be comfortable in a supporting role, like a swirl of fresh homemade whipped cream.
Let’s get started with some ideas!
Whipped Cream
It’s the Thanksgiving Day classic. Whipped cream. While some folks opt for the spray can, I always make my own. My basic whipped cream recipe is easy and always turns out just right. You can make it a few hours in advance (or even a few days if you don’t mind if the texture isn’t as perfect) and sweeten it to your preference.
If you really want that spray can experience, but want to skip all the additives in the ingredients list, consider purchasing a reusable whip cream dispenser. These fun tools allow you to pipe on all the whipped cream you want and use your favorite whipped cream recipe too.
Whipped cream is a must for pumpkin pie, so if you are prepping for Thanksgiving dessert, don’t forget it!
Cool Whip
Note: Cool Whip is a registered trademark of KRAFT FOODS GROUP BRANDS LLC.
I gave whipped cream and Cool Whip their own headings, because some people take the debate between whipped cream and Cool Whip VERY seriously. And it’s true, they are quite different!
If you are serving Cool Whip, be sure to pop your container in the fridge four hours in advance of your meal/dessert so that it is softened and ready to scoop.
How much Cool Whip will you need for topping slices of pie? Each 8 ounce container contains about 3 cups of whipped topping, which is plenty for topping a pie completely.
If you are serving the Cool Whip as an accompaniment to your pie selections, I usually plan on one 8 ounce container for about 8-12 slices of pie. More is more!
Vegan/Dairy Free Whipped Toppings
If you or one of your guests is vegan or dairy-free, you’ll want to have a tasty vegan whipped cream option available. You can purchase SO Delicious Frozen Dairy Free Original CocoWhip which is a certified vegan option (also gluten-free). Tru Whip is another vegan option to check out.
Flavored Whipped Creams
Flavored whipped creams really take things up a notch. Try chocolate, chocolate-hazelnut, or cinnamon whipped cream on top of your pies for a fun twist. Check out the whipped cream flavors at Bellewood Cottage.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Pie served a la mode is certainly classic. Vanilla ice cream will taste great with just about anything, but I love it with a slice of warm apple pie the best. Use your favorite vanilla ice cream brand. Mine is Breyer’s Homemade Vanilla.
Vegan Ice Cream
If you are hosting a gathering that requires vegan options, you can still provide delicious ice creams to serve with the pies. There are lots of great vegan options for ice cream. Some popular choices include Oatly Frozen Desserts and So Delicious Dairy Free.
Chocolate or Caramel Sauce
For a little something extra, serve a decadent sauce to drizzle on top of pie slices. For an apple pie, caramel sauce is the ticket. A no bake cookies-and-cream pie? Grab that chocolate sauce.
Try making your own hot fudge sauce like this recipe from Sugar Spun Run for a really amped up dessert situation.
Cheddar Cheese
For apple pie! This is a true American pairing. I’ve honestly never tried it myself, but apparently serving up cheddar cheese with homemade apple pie is the way to do things. Have you tried it?
Pecan Pie Sauce
Pecan Pie Sauce is all the sauce with none of the pie. You can use a recipe like this Pecan Praline Sauce from Smitten Kitchen to top pumpkin pies, apple pies, sweet potato pies, etc. No need to make a separate pecan pie–just make this sauce!
Homemade Coconut Cream
For another vegan option, try preparing homemade coconut whipped cream to serve with pie.
Homemade No Churn Ice Cream
Want an easy homemade accompaniment to pie? Try no-churn ice cream! Yes, truly, no ice cream maker required. Try this simple no churn ice cream recipe from Spend with Pennies for a 3-ingredient ice cream (just sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream) for an easy option.
