Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

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4.99 from 186 votes
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Decadent Coconut Cream Pie with rich, creamy coconut custard topped with pillowy whipped cream and toasted coconut in a flaky homemade pie crust. Delicious dessert perfect for entertaining!

Closeup of blue plate and fork with Coconut Cream Pie covered in toasted coconut on top of thick whipped cream.

If you are a fan of coconut desserts, this Coconut Cream Pie recipe is one you will love! It has a delicious coconut custard and thick, amazing homemade whipped cream topped with tasty, toasty coconut flakes. My flaky pie crust is easy to make and is perfect for this pie. It is better than any I’ve had in any restaurant – and I can say it’s the best I’ve ever had. Not only is there a rich coconut taste in every bite – just look at that “mile-high” whipped cream! I love to serve it for entertaining guests and for special family meals. It’s a classic and a coconut lover’s dream! I am excited for you to try it!

How to Make Coconut Cream Pie

Making this pie is really one of those times where the effort pays off ten-fold when everyone takes their first bite. They begin with, “Oh my gosh, this is the best coconut cream pie I’ve tasted.” And then they ask, “Did you make this? Can I have your recipe?” I love it when that happens.

Here’s how this decadent pie is made.

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

Pie Crust – Make this crust according to the recipe and follow the Blind Baking instructions

coconut milk – Use sweetened or unsweetened according to your preference. Use coconut milk in the custard for the most coconut flavor, but you can substitute it with whole milk or half-and-half if you choose. But if you enjoy coconuts, I advise you to use coconut milk.

half-and-half

egg yolks – You use several egg yolks in the custard of this pie. Save the egg whites in a container in the refrigerator to make a meringue or a Pavlova! Yum!

sugar – Granulated sugar

cornstarch

butter – I use salted butter, but you can use unsalted if you wish.

salt – Use kosher salt

coconut flakes – Use sweetened flakes – The amount used for the coconut custard (1 1/2 cups) should be untoasted. There is an additional amount (1/2 cup) of coconut flakes used for the toasted coconut topping.

vanilla extract – I use my homemade vanilla, but you can use another pure vanilla extract if you want.

whipped cream – Use this recipe and the tips I share for perfect whipped cream. I do not advise using a store-bought whipped topping as a substitute for this. It is easy to make in minutes and is a deliciously important part of this coconut cream pie!

Tips for Perfect Whipped Cream

Start COLD and go HIGH.

Chill your mixing bowl and whisk (even the one to your electric mixer) in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Make sure that your heavy whipping cream is as cold as possible, too.

Add all of your ingredients to the super chilled mixing bowl and mix it on HIGH for about a minute – and that’s it! Deliciously perfect whipped cream!

Side view of blue plate holding coconut cream pie, with thick coconut custurd and pillowy homemade whipped cream.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the pie crust. Make the pie crust according to the recipe and instructions. Then follow the instructions to blind-bake the crust.

Toast coconut for topping. Evenly spread the coconut flakes for the topping on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in oven and toast as directed until the coconut just begins to brown. Watch it closely as it browns quickly once it starts, and you don’t want it to burn. Once toasted, remove from the oven and set it aside to cool.

Begin making the custard. Pour the coconut milk and half-and-half in a large liquid measuring cup. Add the egg yolks and mix well with the milks. Set aside.

Heat the custard. Add sugar and cornstarch to a saucepan over medium heat. After giving the milk/egg mixture another quick whisk, slowly add it to the saucepan and whisk it all together constantly.

Bring to a boil. Switch to a rubber spatula or wooden spoon and continue stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and let boil for one minute, stirring the whole time.

Remove from heat and add ingredients. After one minute of boiling, remove the saucepan with custard from the heat. Add the butter, untoasted coconut flakes, vanilla, and salt.

Pour custard into the pie crust. Spread the custard mixture evenly into the blind-baked pie crust. Cover it lightly with a wrap and refrigerate it until set, about 30 – 45 minutes.

Make whipped cream. While the custard is setting in the fridge, make the whipped cream according to the recipe and instructions. If you have a bit of time left until the custard is finished setting, put the whipped cream in the refrigerator to stay cold.

Top the custard with whipped cream. Once the custard is set, spread the whipped cream on top and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Top with toasted coconut and serve. When ready to serve the pie, top it with the toasted coconut, slice, serve and enjoy.

Storage Tips

To refrigerate – Cover the pie well and store any leftover pie for up to 3 days.

To freeze – If you wish to freeze coconut cream pie, do not add the whipped topping or toasted coconut topping to the top of the pie yet. After the custard has cooled and it has completely set in the pie, you can wrap it well and store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze it for 2-3 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add the whipped topping and toasted coconut just prior to serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does coconut cream pie need to be refrigerated?

Yes. This pie contains many dairy ingredients that require refrigeration. If not refrigerated, bacteria can grow if kept at room temperature. Once you’ve served the pie, if there is any leftover, wrap the pie and promptly store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to make sure my pie isn’t “watery”?

Make sure to follow all of the directions when making the pie. Don’t skip the cornstarch in the custard – it helps to thicken the custard when used as instructed.
The time the pie sits in the fridge for the custard to set is important – because not only is it important for the custard to set, it’s important for it to be completely cooled before adding the whipped cream.

Other Favorite Pie Recipes

Classic Peach Pie – always a hit with those juicy peaches!

Best Pecan Pie – heirloom family recipe!

Apple Pie – what a classic!

Peanut Butter Pie – so easy and no bake!

…and so many more pies to try!

So many of my readers love this pie as much as my family does! I can’t wait for others of you to try it.

Here’s my Coconut Cream Pie recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

4.99 from 186 votes
Decadent Coconut Cream Pie with rich, creamy coconut custard topped with pillowy whipped cream and toasted coconut in a flaky homemade pie crust. Delicious dessert perfect for entertaining!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the Toasted Coconut Topping

  • 1/2 cup (60 g) flaked, sweetened coconut

For the Coconut Custard

  • 1 1/2 cups (362 g) coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 cups (341 g) half-and-half
  • 5 (70 g) egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup (149 g) sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (28 g) cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon (14 g) butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (180 g) flaked, sweetened coconut
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 g) vanilla extract
  • Whipped Cream

Instructions 

  • Prepare pie crust according to blind-baking instructions of recipe.

For the Toasted Coconut Topping

  • Spread coconut evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Place into 350º F oven for 8-10 minutes until coconut has just begun to turn brown.
  • Set aside to cool.

For the Coconut Custard

  • Pour coconut milk and half-and-half into a liquid measuring cup. Add egg yolks and whisk together with milks. Set aside.
  • Add sugar and cornstarch to a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk egg and milk mixture together once more and then slowly begin to add to the sugar and cornstarch, whisking together constantly.
  • Bring custard mixture to a boil. Switch to a rubber spatula or wooden spoon and continue to stir constantly. Boil one minute.
  • Remove from heat and add butter, coconut, vanilla and salt.
  • Spread custard into pie crust. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until set, about 30-45 minutes.
  • Spread whipped cream on top of coconut custard. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • When ready to serve, top with toasted coconut.

Notes

For the coconut milk in this recipe, you can use sweetened or unsweetened according to your personal preference. 

Storage Tips

To refrigerate – Cover the pie well and store any leftover pie for up to 3 days.
To freeze – If you wish to freeze coconut cream pie, do not add the whipped topping or toasted coconut topping to the top of the pie yet. After the custard has cooled and it has completely set in the pie, you can wrap it well and store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze it for 2-3 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add the whipped topping and toasted coconut just prior to serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 518kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 365IU | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

4.99 from 186 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Review




647 Comments

  1. Robyn Stone says:

    You can use whichever you prefer. I use regular coconut milk that does not have any added sugars. You may want to reduce the amount of sugar in the custard if you use the sweetened coconut milk, Rachel.

  2. Lee says:

    5 stars
    Every time I think about making this recipe, I get ridiculously giddy! I had no idea in my 41 years of life I liked this pie until I had a bite of someones at a restaurant. Ive made this 3 times and I think about eating this pie more than I should. Thank you for an awesome recipe. Its my only go to!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thank you, Lee. This has been a family favorite at my house for years. So glad you like it as much as I always have.

  3. Lynne says:

    Have you ever used a shortbead crust? And if made the day before should I wait to put the whip cream on until the next day

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I haven’t used a shortbread crust with this pie, Lynne. I would wait until the day I served the pie to top it with the whipped cream. Hope you enjoy the pie!

  4. Rachel Leeman says:

    Hello! I’m wanting to make this for Thanksgiving this year. I went to the store and bought the ingredients I didn’t have but I picked up sweetened coconut milk? Can I use it? Or do I need the unsweetened for this recipe??

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Rachel, I use the unsweetened coconut milk in my pie. If you use the sweetened coconut milk, you may want to reduce the sugar in the custard a little so it is not too sweet. Hope you enjoy!

    2. Dave Coble says:

      Robyn,
      Thanks for this custard recipe.
      I make a very rich banana pudding/cheesecake. I wanted a layer for the topping. I was using just whipped cream. It just wasn’t enough. I found this custard by accident and gave it a try.
      Oh have mercy! The perfect custard for the cheesecake!! Marvellous perfection! Thanks again.
      Dave Coble

  5. McKenzi says:

    Just making my Thanksgiving recipe list and am planning on making this! Since this is “Mile High” does the one cup of heavy cream make enough whipped cream for this pie? Or do you double it?

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I use the full recipe of my Perfect Whipped Cream Recipe, which makes 2 cups, for the Coconut Cream Pie. Enjoy!

  6. Dawne Holz says:

    Can I freeze this pie for a day or so? It might be easier to transport frozen and will have time to thaw.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      You can freeze the pie, Dawne. After step 5 and the pie has set in the refrigerator, wrap securely with freezer wrap and freeze. Let the pie thaw before adding the whipped cream topping and serve.

    2. Dawne says:

      Actually, the whipped cream froze very well. After fully chilled, I added the whipped cream and toasted coconut. Then sealed it in a pie carrier and put the whole thing into the chest freezer (0 degrees F). It transported perfectly and was thawed in time for dessert (about an hour later). Fabulous recipe – the best CCPie ever.

    3. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks for letting me know how well freezing the pie worked, Dawne. Thanks.

    4. James says:

      How do you get it to boil while constantly stirring at medium low heat? It’s taking me forever

    5. Robyn Stone says:

      James, if the custard is not thickening after a few minutes, turn up the heat. I use a gas stove so mine may be hotter than yours at medium low heat. It should not take long for this custard to thicken. Hope you enjoy.

  7. louise says:

    It doesn’t state that the pie crust is cooked before adding the pie filling. I always make a custard pie like this in a baked pie shell but,I just read a receipe that had an unbaked pie shell and the pie went into the oven to be baked

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      As I state in the instructions, Louise, you will blind bake the pie crust before adding the custard. Hope you enjoy!

  8. Ai says:

    Hi Robyn,
    IN the Custard filling part, what is half and half, I appreciate if you can let me know, I am coconut drinks, I aim deffinatelly will made it.

    Thanks in advance,
    Ai

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      It is half whole milk and half heavy cream. I buy it in refrigerated cartons at my grocery store. Hope this helps.

  9. Vickie says:

    Hello Robyn!
    Thank you in advance for what looks to be a most awesome recipe! In the past, I’ve been intimidated by making puddings and custards because my eggs seem to cook in little bits in the pudding and I always have to try to strain them out, making the pie so much more work! I want to make this for my 84 year old Mother who loves fresh coconut cakes and coconut cream pie!
    I have a homemade crust that turned out good that I was telling her about, that she wants to try. And so I feel confident, that with your recipe, all will go smoothly! Thanks again for sharing!
    God bless!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks, Vickie. Hope you and your mother enjoy the pie.

  10. Angela says:

    Is the coconut milk required in this recipe, canned or in the carton that you can drink?

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I use canned unsweetened coconut milk for this recipe, Angela. Hope this helps!

    2. Chris says:

      After looking at dozens of recipes yours was easy to follow and just simple to make. The filling turned out perfect I did use1 cup of canned coconut milk and half and half. Rave reviews and will definitely make this pie again.

    3. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks, Chris. So glad you loved this pie.