• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Whipped
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Pies & Tarts

How to Make the Perfect Coconut Cream Pie at Home

Published: Jul 8, 2023 · Modified: Sep 23, 2023 by Sandrine Pearson · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe

Experience the joy of baking with this delightful Coconut Cream Pie recipe. This pie, filled with rich and creamy coconut custard, nestled in a crisp, buttery crust, and topped with airy whipped cream, is a delightful mix of textures that will make your taste buds sing. Its tropical flair is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a fantastic way to end any meal.

A Slice of Coconut Cream Pie gets separated from the pie on a table top

Enjoying this Coconut Cream Pie and craving more sweet treats? Don't miss our mouth-watering No-Bake Kinder Cheesecake, perfect for every dessert lover!

Prefer To Watch Instead Of Read?

Jump to:
  • Prefer To Watch Instead Of Read?
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • 🍴 Equipment
  • Storage
  • Top tip
  • FAQ
  • Related
  • How to Make the Perfect Coconut Cream Pie at Home
  • Food safety

Ingredients

All the ingredients needed for the Crust
The Crust
All the ingredients needed for the Fillings
The Filling
All the ingredients needed for the toppings
The topping
  • Sweetened coconut flakes
  • Butter
  • Vegetable shortening
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cold water
  • Coconut milk
  • Whipping cream
  • Cornstarch
  • Eggs
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Freshly baked Sweetened coconut flakes spreaded on a baking sheet, Directly from the oven

Prepare and Bake Coconut

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C), spread out the coconut flakes on a baking sheet, and bake until they turn golden. This should take around 10-12 minutes. Set them aside to cool.

A baked, golden brown pie crust in the pie mold

Make the Pie Crust

In a blender, mix flour, salt, cold butter cubes, and cold vegetable shortening. Add cold water and blend until the dough starts to come together. Form a ball with the dough, refrigerate for 45 minutes, and then roll out the dough to fit a 9-inch Pie Mold. Bake the crust at 350°F (177°C) for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

A creamy, luscious blend being cooked in a pot

Prepare the Filling

In a pot, combine and heat the coconut milk, whipping cream, vanilla extract, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and cornstarch. Gradually incorporate the hot mixture into the egg mix, then combine all in the pot and heat until it comes to a boil.

Incorporating toasted coconut flakes into the creamy pie filling, adding texture and enhancing the coconut flavor

Add Coconut to Filling

Remove the filling from heat and stir in a cup of the toasted coconut flakes.

The assembly of the coconut cream pie, with the filling

Assemble the Pie

Pour the filling into your prepared pie crust and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 3 hours.

Coconut cream pie topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of additional toasted coconut flakes, ready to be served.

Prepare and Add the Topping

Whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until firm, then spread it over the chilled pie. Sprinkle the remaining toasted coconut flakes on top. Slice and serve your delicious homemade Coconut Cream Pie.

Hint: Make sure the pie crust is thoroughly baked before adding the filling to avoid sogginess. Temper eggs properly to prevent scrambling in the filling, and allow the pie to cool before adding the whipped cream to prevent melting.

Substitutions

For those with dietary restrictions:

  • For a dairy-free version, use a non-dairy milk alternative like almond or coconut milk, and a non-dairy whipped topping. Use a dairy-free butter substitute in the crust.

Variations

Consider these variations to suit your guests or your personal preference:

  • For a chocolate coconut cream pie, add a layer of chocolate ganache on the bottom of the crust before adding the filling.
  • For a fruity twist, add a layer of fresh or canned pineapple chunks over the filling before topping with whipped cream.

🍴 Equipment

Roasted Coconut:

  • Baking Sheet: To evenly spread and bake the coconut flakes; helps get a golden color.

Pie Crust:

  • Blender/Food Processor: To mix flour, salt, butter, and shortening quickly; helps in achieving the right dough consistency.
  • Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough; ensures even thickness.
  • 9-inch Pie Mold: To shape the pie crust; it's the right size for this recipe.

Baking the Pie Crust:

  • Fork: To poke holes; helps prevent puffing.
  • Parchment Paper and Weights (like dried white beans): To blind-bake the crust; prevents shrinking.

Coconut Filling:

  • Saucepan: To heat ingredients; helps blend flavors.
  • Whisk: To mix eggs and cornstarch; avoids lumps.

Topping:

  • Hand Mixer: To whip cream; creates firm peaks.

Most Useful Equipments:

It would be the Blender/Food Processor. It's versatile and saves time in both the crust and filling steps. Also you need a 9-inch Pie Mold for this recipe

Storage

Store this pie in the refrigerator, covered, for up to four days. Due to the custard filling, it's not recommended to leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours.

Top tip

To prevent a soggy bottom, ensure your pie crust is properly pre-baked and cooled before filling.

FAQ

Can I use pre-made crust?

Yes, but homemade crust has a better flavor and texture.

Can I use unsweetened coconut flakes?

Yes, but the pie will be less sweet.

Can I use light coconut milk?

Yes, but the filling will be less rich.

Why is my filling runny?

It might not have been cooked long enough. It should be thick and bubbling before you remove it from heat.

Can I make this pie in advance?

Yes, it can be made a day ahead and refrigerated.

Can I freeze this pie?

It's not recommended as the filling can separate and become watery.

Why is my crust tough?

It might be overworked or overbaked.

Why did my whipped cream topping deflate?

It might be overbeaten, or the cream was not cold enough before whipping.

Can I make this pie without a mixer?

Yes, but whipping the cream by hand can be strenuous.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Two coffee Éclair with chocolate on a cutting board.
    How to Make the Best Coffee Eclair at Home
  • Glazed Honey Crullers on a cooling rack.
    How to Make Crispy and Sweet Glazed Honey Crullers
  • a white plate topped with a slice of cheesecake.
    How to Make the Perfect Cheesecake Every Time
  • two white plates topped with slices of Double Chocolate Cheesecake.
    How to Make Double Chocolate Cheesecake with Oreo Crust
Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
A Slice of Coconut Cream Pie gets separated from the pie on a table top

How to Make the Perfect Coconut Cream Pie at Home

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Experience the joy of baking with this delightful Coconut Cream Pie recipe. This pie, filled with rich and creamy coconut custard, nestled in a crisp, buttery crust, and topped with airy whipped cream, is a delightful mix of textures that will make your taste buds sing. Its tropical flair is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a fantastic way to end any meal.

  • Total Time: 5 hours, 25 minutes
  • Yield: 1 Pie

Ingredients

Roasted Coconut:

1 ½ cups (110g) sweetened coconut flakes

Pie Crust:

½ cup (115g) cold butter

2 tbsp (25g) cold vegetable shortening

1 ¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour

¼ tsp (1g) salt

¼ to ⅓ cup (60ml to 75ml) cold water

Filling:

2 cups (470g) coconut milk

1 cup (225g) whipping cream

⅓ cup (38g) cornstarch

½ cup (100g) sugar

2 large eggs (100g)

½ tsp (2g) salt

1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract

Topping:

1 cup (225ml) whipping cream

1 tsp (5g) sugar

½ tsp (2.5g) vanilla extract

Instructions

Roasted Coconut:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Place the coconut flakes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Set aside for later.

Pie Crust:

  1. In a blender, combine the flour, salt, cold butter cubes, and cold vegetable shortening. Pulse a few times until the butter is the size of peas.
  2. Add the first measurement of cold water and pulse a few more times. If the dough doesn't come together, add a little more water.
  3. Transfer the dough onto your work surface and form 2 balls, one larger than the other. Refrigerate the larger ball for 45 minutes. The smaller ball can be frozen for later use.

Baking the Pie Crust:

  1. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 3mm to fit a 9-inch Pie Mold
  2. Poke holes all over the crust with a fork.
  3. Place the crust in the mold and press it down firmly to prevent it from moving while baking.
  4. Trim off the excess dough. Refrigerate for another 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
  6. Line the pie crust with parchment paper and add weight on top (e.g., dried white beans).
  7. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the paper and beans.
  8. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Coconut Filling:

  1. In a pot, bring coconut milk, whipping cream, vanilla extract, salt, and sugar to a boil.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and cornstarch until homogeneous.
  3. Gradually add a small amount of the hot mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
  4. Once the hot mixture is incorporated, pour the egg mixture back into the pot.
  5. Whisk constantly over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil.
  6. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of the toasted coconut flakes.
  7. Immediately pour the filling into the prepared pie crust. Refrigerate until completely chilled, approximately 3 hours.

Topping:

  1. Using a hand mixer, whip the whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until firm peaks form.
  2. Cover the chilled pie filling with whipped cream.
  3. Sprinkle the remaining toasted coconut flakes on top.
  4. Cut the pie into slices and enjoy!

Equipment

Image of Blender

Blender

Buy Now →
Image of 9-inch Pie Mold

9-inch Pie Mold

Buy Now →
  • Author: Sandrine Pearson
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Wait time: 3 hours, 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Food safety

  • Ensure all cooking surfaces and utensils are clean.
  • Refrigerate the pie promptly after it cools to room temperature.
  • Never consume raw dough due to the risk of foodborne illness from raw flour and eggs.
  • Ensure to use fresh, high-quality dairy products to avoid spoilage.

Your culinary adventure awaits with this Coconut Cream Pie. Enjoy the process and the delicious results. Happy baking!

More Pies & Tarts Recipes

  • A slice of pumpkin pie sits on top of a table.
    How to Make the Perfect Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
  • Mississippi Mud Pie sits on a white plate near another pie.
    How to Make the Ultimate Mississippi Mud Pie
  • A Piece pie on the edge of a knife getting ready to be put in a plate.
    How to Make Homemade Pecan Pie: Step-by-Step Guide
  • A perfectly cut rectangle bar of a pecan pie
    How to Make Rich and Nutty Pecan Pie Bars at Home

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vadimir.j

    August 12, 2023 at 4:03 am

    This recipe = culinary perfection!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Primary Sidebar

Hi there, I'm Sandrine!

I'm a professionally-trained pastry chef, and here at Whipped, I share unique dessert recipes and baking tips to help you bake with confidence. If you looking for me, I'm always in the kitchen (even in my dreams!)

More about me →

  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Footer

↑ back to top

Info

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us

  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Food

  • Recipes

Copyright © 2026 Whipped on the All rights reserved.