Coconut Cream Pie is a dessert that brings tropical flair and old-fashioned comfort together in one irresistible slice. With its flaky pie crust, silky coconut custard filling, and billowy whipped cream topping, this pie is a celebration of texture and flavor. Sweet, creamy, and loaded with coconut, it’s the kind of dessert that makes a quiet afternoon feel like a special occasion.
The heart of this pie is the coconut custard – a rich and velvety filling made with milk or cream, egg yolks, sugar, and a generous amount of shredded coconut. It’s smooth and sweet, with just enough thickness to hold its shape when sliced. The coconut brings a chewy texture and subtle nutty flavor that keeps every bite interesting. A flaky, buttery crust provides contrast and structure, balancing the softness of the filling and topping.
Topped with a cloud of freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes, Coconut Cream Pie feels indulgent but never too heavy. The whipped cream adds lightness, while the toasted coconut enhances both flavor and aroma. It’s a dessert that tastes as lovely as it looks, with a simple elegance that works for everything from summer cookouts to winter gatherings.
Coconut Cream Pie is best served chilled, making it a refreshing choice during warmer months. It pairs well with a cup of coffee or a fruity iced tea and makes a beautiful finish to a light meal or seafood dinner. Leftovers are a welcome treat the next day, and the pie holds up well when stored in the refrigerator.
Whether you’re making it for a holiday celebration, a birthday, or just because you love coconut, this pie never fails to please. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and just tropical enough to transport you with each bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar granulated
- 1/4 cup cornstarch for thickening
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 pieces egg yolks lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- 1 cup whipped cream freshly made for topping
- 1 piece pie crust pre-baked 9-inch
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and slowly whisk a small amount of hot mixture into the egg yolks; return all to pan.
- Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
- Remove from heat; stir in 1 cup of coconut and vanilla. Pour into baked pie crust.
- Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Before serving, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with remaining coconut.
Nutrition
This pie was an absolute hit at our family gathering! Super easy to make and the coconut flavor is so rich! Definitely a 5-star dish!
Coconut is life! Love this pie, making it for the 3rd time this month. Yummy!
I dunno… I’ve tried coconut pies before, and they weren’t that great. What’s so special about this one?
Coconut really does make everything better! I’m so glad you love this pie. It’s my favorite too!
I tried making this and ended up with a runny mess. I followed the recipe but it didn’t thicken. Maybe I mismeasured something?
Just okay. I’ve had better coconut pies before. Needs more coconut flavor.
I totally disagree! I thought the coconut flavor was perfect. Maybe just add more coconut next time?
Coconut cream is my favorite! I added a bit of lime zest to give it a kick and it turned out awesome! Yum!
Easy to make. My kids loved helping with the whipped cream. Will definitely try again!
I found this recipe a bit tricky. The custard didn’t thicken for me, ended up running all over the place!
This pie was a hit at our family gathering! So creamy and delicious.
That’s awesome! I love coconut cream pie! Gonna try this recipe soon!
It’s just ok. Didn’t taste like the ones from the bakery. I think it needs more sugar or something… 3/5.
Coconut is the best! Might add some chocolate chips next time for extra flavor.
Chocolate chips sound like a great idea! I bet that would make it even more delicious. 🍫
This is NOT how you make a pie! Real pies use apples, not coconuts! 🤦♂️
Not sure what went wrong. My pie crust was soggy and the filling was too sweet. Wouldn’t make again.
Y’all, this was like a tropical vacation in my mouth! Sooo good! Highly recommend it to everyone. Yum!
I think I messed it up somewhere. It came out too runny. What did I do wrong?
Maybe you didn’t cook it long enough? The cooking part is really important for thickening.
Yum! I love coconut! This is like a tropical vacation on a plate!
Coconuts are not good for health. Why are we making pies with them? I don’t get it.
Easy to make! Just used a store-bought crust, made my life easier. Yum!
I followed the recipe step by step and it turned out perfect! My family loved it!
This pie is really delicious! Super creamy and that coconut flavor is amazing.
It was ok, but I think I added too much sugar. Next time I’ll cut back.
Yum! So good! 😍 I added a little lime zest and it was the perfect twist!
Lime zest? Really? I don’t think that goes well with coconut. Stick to the basics! 🥴
That sounds amazing! Lime zest is a genius idea for this pie. I’ll have to try it out! 🍰
I dunno about pies, but this is too sweet for me. Maybe I just don’t like coconuts?
This pie was a hit at our family dinner! So delicious and creamy. Will make again!
I found the filling way too sweet for my taste. Maybe reduce the sugar next time?
Followed the recipe exactly but it just didn’t thicken for me. What did I do wrong?
This pie is fantastic! The coconut flavor is so rich and creamy. I made it for my family and they loved it! Definitely a keeper!
Coconut pie?? Isn’t it the same as coconut pudding? I don’t get it…
I tried this recipe but the filling turned out too runny. Didn’t thicken like it should have. Maybe I skipped a step?
Way too sweet for my taste. I think next time I will cut the sugar down. But it’s pretty easy to make.
My kids devoured this! I barely got a piece myself. Super yummy and easy!
So glad to hear your kids loved it! It really is a hit at our house too!
Great recipe but I added a pinch of salt and used coconut milk instead of whole milk for a twist. Just wow!
I love the idea of using coconut milk! Sounds delicious! 😍
Waste of time! I don’t understand the hype. Just tastes like sugar and milk to me. 🤷
This is the best coconut cream pie I’ve ever made! Super easy and delicious! My family loved it.
Coconut is my favorite! I used unsweetened coconut by mistake but it was still good.
ok
This pie is a hit at every family gathering! I can’t believe how easy it was to make. Definitely 5 stars!
OMG this is my new favorite dessert! Thank you so much for sharing! Will make this again for my next party!
You’re welcome! Enjoy making it, and I bet it will be a hit at your party! 🌴
Looks good, but is it really that easy? I struggle with pies. 🤔
Coconut pie? Isn’t that just a fancy pudding in a crust? 🤔
I’ve tried many coconut cream recipes and this one is among the best! I can’t believe how easy it was! Yum! 😋
So glad you loved it! It’s super easy, right? I added a bit of lime zest and it was even better! 🍈
I don’t know, it seems a bit too simple. Can it really be that good? 🤔
Just made it. But my cream deflated and it looked ugly. Taste was okay, but my sister was making fun of me! 😂
Don’t worry! It happens to the best of us. Just need to practice a bit more with the whipped cream. At least it tasted okay! 😅
Your sister sounds mean! 😂 The look of food isn’t everything; as long as it tastes good, that’s what matters!
I don’t know.. it turned out really runny. Maybe I messed up the cornstarch part? Followed all the steps exactly but it didn’t set.