This old-fashioned coconut custard pie has a creamy egg custard filling, just the right amount of sweetness and is loaded with coconut. This pie is super easy to make, mixes up in just 5 minutes and only requires a whisk, a bowl, a spatula and a few ingredients to create.
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Coconut custard pies are often a staple for holiday dinner desserts but it is a refreshing summer dessert also - just drizzle a little mango curd on your serving plates and over the top of the pie! Add a dash of nutmeg if creating for your holiday menu.
This pie is not too fancy and not too complicated to make - so grab your kids and have them help you create it.
Ingredient Tips
- This pie is best baked in a sweet pie dough but a flaky pie dough or graham cracker crust will also work nicely. Alternatively, the pie may be baked without a crust for a crustless coconut custard pie.
- Bring the eggs and whole milk to room temperature before mixing the custard filling. Cold eggs and milk could cause the filling to separate. If you are in a hurry, simply warm the milk slightly in the microwave and place the eggs in a bowl of warm water for several minutes.
- Use sweetened and shredded coconut for this pie. You don't need to toast your coconut before mixing the pie filling. We are sprinkling coconut on top of this pie prior to baking to create a crunchy top.
Recipe Tips
- The ingredients for this coconut custard pie are added one after the other. Whisk gently but thoroughly after the ingredients are added. Fold in the shredded coconut.
- Bake the pie on a cookie sheet or a pie drip catcher. My preference is to use a pie drip catcher with a hole in the center. This will allow heat to reach the bottom crust more easily.
Pie Crust
I recommend chilling your pie crust prior to baking the pie. This will reduce the chances the pie crust will shrink or burn. My Sweet Pie Dough works wonderfully with this pie as it produces a buttery soft crust and holds it's shape well during baking.
FAQs
Can I freeze this pie?
- Coconut custard pies should not be frozen. The custard may separate during the defrosting time.
What is a coconut custard pie vs a coconut cream pie?
- Coconut custard pie is made with an egg and milk filling that sets up and thickens in the oven. Coconut cream pie is a custard, but it's cooked on the stove and placed in the refrigerator until set.
How do I know when my pie is finished baking?
- You will know that the coconut custard pie is done when the center of the pie only wiggles slightly.
Does coconut custard pie need to be refrigerated?
- Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature. This will take approximately three hours. Once the pie is fully cooled, place in the refrigerator for storage. Allow the pie to come to room temperature prior to serving (approximately one hour). Note: never put a hot pie in the refrigerator.
More coconut desserts
Love coconut and want a few more dessert ideas? Check out the following recipes:
📋 Recipe
Coconut Custard Pie
Equipment
- 1 Pie Pan 9"
- 1 Pie Drip Catcher or
- 1 Cookie Sheet Pan
Ingredients
- 1 Pre-rolled pie crust My Sweet Dough recipe works wonderfully for this pie
- 2 Large Eggs, room temperature
- 4 Ounces Unsalted Butter, melted (1 stick)
- 7 Ounces Granulated Sugar (1 Cup)
- 2 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg (optional)
- ¾ Cup Whole Milk, room temperature (6 fluid ounces)
- 1 ½ Cups Sweetened Shredded Coconut (for pie filling)
- 2 tablespoon Sweetened Shredded Coconut (for sprinkling over pie)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Melt butter and let cool slightly.
- Add eggs to a bowl and whisk lightly.
- Add sugar to the bowl and whisk lightly.
- Add melted butter to the bowl and whisk lightly.
- Add flour to the bowl and whisk lightly.
- Optional: add nutmeg to bowl and whisk lightly.
- Add milk to the bowl and whisk lightly.
- Stir in 1 ½ cups coconut flakes.
- Pour filling into pre-rolled 9" pie crust.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons coconut flakes over top of pie.
- Place on a cookie sheet pan or pie drip catcher. Bake for 45 - 50 minutes. Check pie after 35 minutes and cover crust with a pie shield or wrap loosely in foil if crust is turning too dark.
- Cool for at least 2 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers - if you have any!
Elizabeth says
I really enjoy the flavor of coconut, so I'm glad I came across this recipe! Adding the optional nutmeg gives it that extra touch of flavoring.
Janie says
Loved this coconut custard pie! It was the perfect dessert to have. My kitchen smelled so good while it was baking too!
vidya says
another delish recipe from you.. i am someone who loves desserts with coconut so this one really is calling out to me
Hari says
Awesome recipe! This Coconut pie is soooo tempting. Thanks for sharing!
Amy Liu Dong says
I love coconut so much and this dessert is so easy and delicious!
Nanny says
Tried this with a bit more coconut than in the recipe. It turned out delish - hope to make it again using your pie dough recipe.
Jill says
love this coconut custard pie recipe! The perfect amount of coconut flavor and so delicious!
Linda says
I so prefer this to coconut cream pie. Beautiful texture, delicious and I absolutely love how the top gets so golden!!!
Natalie says
Loved the flavor and how simple I made this coconut pie! I'll be sure to make it again soon, thanks!
Emily says
I love this nostalgic pie, it had just the right amount of sweetness with just the right amount of coconut flakes! It's so much better than anything store-bought!
Nancy says
Wow. I’m addicted to this coconut custard pie. Store bought are usually to sugary for me. This was on awesome.
Audrey says
Such a delicious and classic recipe.
Alexandra says
I am a huge coconut lover, and this pie is just perfection. The perfect creamy texture and lovely flavour of coconut - one to make regularly!
KelliAn says
Wonderful pie recipe! Just the right amount of coconut.
CanGee says
I love anything coconut. I added an extra cup of coconut and the pie was really good.