Coconut Cream Pie Recipe
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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!
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!
Table of contents
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!
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
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.
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
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
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
My mom is a pie-maker extraordinaire. So her crust + this coconut cream filling = magic. I made it (exactly as the recipe states) for the first time a few weeks ago to rave reviews. I was bit pressed for time and will leave more time for the filling to cool next time. I left a couple of slices for a family friend and he emailed me to say that it is the best coconut cream pie he’d ever had … and that is his favourite pie. It made my whole week!
I made two different recipe’s for this pie. This recipe was one of them. I made them today for Christmas. This one is the one every one raved about. This is truly the best pie I have had. Thanks Robyn for the best and thanks to everyone else for the tips. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!
Hi Robyn-I live in a South Carolina Sun City community and part of the July 4th festivities included a pie baking contest which I entered using your recipe. My pie and your recipe took first place and everyone who had an opportunity to taste the pie following the judging said it was the best coconut cream pie they had ever tasted. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
Heavenly! I bake all pies & cakes from scratch – pie crusts, too. I come from generations of bakers and must tell you that I have replaced a wonderful decades old coconut meringue pie recipe with this one. Will be baking two of these delectable pies this coming weekend for company.
What could make the custard not set? Could it be that I didn’t use the canned coconut milk? I followed the cooking instructions to a T…
It is just sitting in the crust staying runny!
Made this pie for Father’s Day and it was so easy and it turned out great!
I am excited to try this recipe. My first time making a pie, but I have a quick question.
I’m thinking about taking a shortcut, and using a pre-made (store bought) pie crust. I looked at your pie crust recipe and noticed you mentioned to pre- bake or to not.
So my question is if using a pre-made pie crust, does this coconut cream pie recipe need me to bake the pie crust or use it as is?
Thank you!!
Does the whipped topping made with heavy whipping cream get runny if not served
right away?
I made this for Mothers Day. It was absolutely the best pie I have ever had. Delicious!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Danielle!
Hi Daniele
Did you use unsweetened or sweetened coconut milk for this recipe?
Thanks
The can I purchased didn’t say if it was sweetened or unsweetend. The brand I purchased was EL MEXICANO and on the front of the 13.5 FL OZ can (400ml) It says Natural Flavor Leche De CoCo Coconut Milk. Hope this helps.
I think thus recipe is going t be great but I hate to waste egg whites so how do you think it will turn out if I use 3 whole eggs??
Custards only work when they’re made with just egg yolks, it’s what gives them that creamy consistency. A whole egg would turn it more into scrambled egg texture.
Egg whites, however, can be saved and frozen for later use.
If you save enough, you can make angel food cake, or used to make pure white cakes. Or just a few can make a nice batch of meringue cookies.
When my pregnant best friend was craving coconut cream pie with a chocolate crust (we had it at an out of town restaurant), I couldn’t say no. I had made another version before and while everyone liked it, I didn’t think it was “the best”. The custard part was just lacking for me. This time I decided to try a different recipe. I ended up starting out with a different recipe, but when that didn’t set, I found this one. I was a little concerned with the crust I was using (it was already made) because of an earlier comment about how it might now work with a graham cracker crust. This custard was fantastic! And it turned out fine with the orea crumb crust. Everyone loved it. Its definitely my go to recipe now. Thanks for the recipe.
My husband and I love coconut cream pie and had some recently at a nearby restaurant. It was fabulous and inspired me to make one for my husband when he came home from the hospital after surgery. I searched the net and, like you, found many recipes for this dessert. I gave this one a try and he LOVED it. He told me he thought it better than the one from the restaurant. I think the coconut milk really made a difference in the tastiness and I threw in more coconut than suggested. I will be making this next week when we have relatives visiting and now I know it’s easy and delicious. This recipe is great as is and is very easy to make.
Hello
Is the coconut milk supposed to be sweetened or unsweetened?
Thanks