Vermont designated apple pie as its state pie in 1999.
The designation was enacted by Vermont lawmakers and took effect on May 10, 1999. The law is unusually specific about how the pie should be served, recognizing cold milk, cheddar cheese, or vanilla ice cream as appropriate accompaniments.
The choice fits Vermont’s agricultural identity. Apples are an official Vermont state fruit, and the state is also strongly associated with dairy farming, maple production, and rural food traditions. Apple pie therefore connects several familiar elements of Vermont culture rather than representing only a dessert.
A common mistake is confusing the state-pie date with the year Vermont adopted the apple as its state fruit. Both designations are associated with 1999, but they are separate entries. Another mix-up is treating the serving instructions as a recipe requirement: the law names possible accompaniments, not mandatory ingredients inside the pie.