Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (2024)

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This Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie recipe tastes like a coconut crème brulee! An easy coconut pie with a flaky crust that’s filled with loads of shredded coconut set in a baked custard.

This recipe and photo have been updated in 2018

Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (1)

Homemade Coconut Custard Pie

I am constantly trying to push my comfort zone when it comes to baking. The best way to challenge yourself is to try and try again! Often times, I will test recipes from cookbooks, new and old. What I love about older cookbooks, is that the details are very vague, and it leaves the interpretation up to you.

This Old FashionedCoconut Custard Pie was adapted from a cookbook that was copyrightfrom 1933, and this edition was printed in 1937. The pages are an aged yellow, and it smells like the library. There are some notes inside the front cover from the pervious owner, and all the photos are in black and white. These are the best kind of cookbooks!

Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (2)

The original name for this was “Vanity Fair Coconut Custard Pie”. I have never baked anything like this before. The ingredients are simple: 3 eggs, sugar, a dash of salt, milk and lots of coconut. After it is baked, it reminds me of crème brulee in that the filling is a baked custard.

When I originally cut into this pie, I wasn’t sure if it was quite right, but after looking through several updated versions of the recipe, I saw that it in fact resembled the vintage pie.

I baked this recipe a second time, adding my own spin to the recipe. Instead of using all regular milk, I substituted 1 cup of coconut milk. The original recipe, while full of coconut flakes, did not have enough flavor for me. So I decided to also add one teaspoon of coconut extract, and I doubled the amount of coconut flakes that the recipe called for. I was much happier with the second version.

Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (3)

Since the filling is pretty much pure liquid, I was not sure if the crust would get soggy. Turns out it was actually perfect! It was soft, yet flaky. I decided that I would keep this pie refrigerated, but the recipe did not specify. I think I liked the idea of a cold pie better for the summer anyway!

This pie definitely needs to cool all the way before serving. The filling will still be a bit jiggly, which will make you question whether it is done for not. I still used a toothpick to see if it was baked through, and it was. As it cools, it will become more firm. This is typical with custard pies.

Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (4)

For the crust, you should use your favorite recipe or you can try my favorite easy pie crust.I usually end up freezing one. I also have a gluten-free pie crust that you can also use.

Remember, that with any pie crust, it is better to work with it cold! I struggle to make the prettiest edges, but practice makes perfect, right? I find that I have been more successful with a Crisco based pie crust recipe. The edges tend to shrink less because Crisco has a higher melting temperature.

This pie can be made in a standard 9-inch pie dish in either a regular or a deep dish pie. Since I updated the recipe that is significantly less liquid, and a deep dish pan is not needed.

When I served this pie to my friends, they suggested that it would be awesome with a drizzle of raspberry sauce, and I couldn’t agree more!

Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (5)

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Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (6)

Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 10 reviews
  • Author: Julianne Dell
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 slices

Description

This Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie is similar to what you would imagine a coconut crème brulee might be. The flaky pie crust is filled with loads of shredded coconut set in a baked custard.

Ingredients

  • 1 Pie crust shell, prepared
  • 3 Large eggs, beaten
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1 cup milk (I used non0fat)
  • 1 cup coconut milk, mixed
  • 2 cups shredded coconut, sweetened
  • Whipped cream for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450° F.
  2. Prepare a pastry pie shell, roll about and place in pie plate. Trim and flute the edges.
  3. To prepare the filling start by whisking the eggs, gradually adding in sugar and salt. Whisk until smooth and frothy.
  4. Add coconut extract, milk and coconut milk. Be sure to mix the coconut milk before adding to the eggs.
  5. Last, add the shredded coconut and whisk into the filling. Pour batter into prepared pie shell.
  6. Place pie plate on lower rack in your oven. Bake at 450°F for 20 minutes.
  7. After 20 minutes, turn the oven down to 350° F and cover the crust with foil to prevent burning. Bake for another 20-25 minutes.
  8. Pie will still be slightly jiggly on top, but stick a toothpick around the pie to ensure the filling has baked. If there is any bubbling or liquid on top, dab it lightly with a paper towel.
  9. Allow pie to cool completely before serving. I suggest to refrigerate and serve cold. Serve with whipped cream or a raspberry sauce.

Notes

This recipe and photo have been updated in 2018 to reduce the amount of liquid in this recipe.

Nutrition Information:

1 slice

373

24.2g

257.5mg

23.6g

36.4g

1.9g

6g

70.4mg

  • Category: Pie
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

More CoconutPie Recipe you might like:

Coconut Cheesecake Pie from Taste and Tell

Coconut Chess Pie from Crazy for Crust

Almond Joy Pie from Life Love and Sugar

Other recipes from Beyond Frosting you might like:

Coconut Cream Pie Cookie Cups

Coconut Cream Pie

Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (9)

Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe - A Coconut Lover's Dream! (2024)

FAQs

Why is my Coconut Custard Pie watery? ›

Troubleshooting: Why Won't My Coconut Cream Pie Set? To ensure that you don't end up with a watery, weepy pie filling, after adding the egg yolks, keep the filling at a low boil for long enough. Slowly heat the filling, and keep it at a low boil for at least a full minute (60-90 seconds).

How long does store bought Coconut Custard Pie last? ›

Custard pies (ex. Sweet Potato Coconut, Cardamom Tahini Squash, or Apple Butter Custard) are best eaten within 2 days of purchase if stored at room temperature. However, they can also be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

What are the mistakes when making custard? ›

Experts Reveal 12 Big Custard Mistakes You're Probably Making
  1. Not Knowing The Difference Between Starch-Thickened And Egg-Thickened Custards. ...
  2. Not Knowing The Difference Between Stovetop And Baked Custards. ...
  3. Adding The Eggs To Your Custard Too Quickly. ...
  4. Overcooking Custard. ...
  5. Cooking Custard At Too High A Temperature.
May 5, 2024

What is the thickener commonly used in custard pies? ›

Many custard recipes/formulas use cornstarch as the thickening agent. The amount of liquid a starch grain can attract (absorb) and how concentrated the starch grains are in the liquid affect the thickness of the final product.

How do you keep a custard pie from being runny? ›

Custards firm up as they cool, so if you're after perfectly clean, sharp slices, your pie needs to be fully set—and the only way to accomplish this is with an overnight rest in the fridge. Cover the pie with plastic wrap or foil, chill overnight, and bring to room temperature before serving.

What's the difference between coconut cream and coconut custard pie? ›

The difference between coconut cream pie and coconut custard pie comes down to how the filling is prepared. Coconut cream pie filling is prepared on the stovetop and poured into a fully baked crust. The pie is then chilled for several hours to allow the filling to set. Coconut custard pie is cooked in the oven.

Why does my custard pie taste like eggs? ›

Why does my egg custard pie taste like scrambled eggs? Overbaked custard can lead to an eggy flavor and rubbery consistency. Make sure to bake the custard pie until slightly jiggly in the center.

Can you leave custard pie out overnight? ›

If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.

Can I freeze a custard pie? ›

Custard or Nut-Based Pies

This includes pies like pumpkin, sweet potato, and pecan. Avoid freezing custard or nut-based pies unbaked because the uncooked egg filling can curdle when it's thawed. These pies freeze successfully after they've been baked — but for no more than one month.

Can you leave coconut cream pie out overnight? ›

Pies with dairy and egg that fall in the cream pie category, such as our Coconut Cream Pie or a chocolate mousse pie, should always be refrigerated, according to Stephens and Wickenden.

Should custard pie jiggle when done? ›

Ultimately, the amount of jiggle is the most universal rule in judging the doneness of a non-crusty crusted custard pie. Unfortunately, it is also the most difficult to describe without being able to show in person. A majority of chess pies will be done they have a slight jiggly tremble to them.

Why does my custard pie weep? ›

However if the proteins are overcooked, either by using a temperature that is too high or just cooking for too long, then the proteins will come together so tightly that they will start to squeeze out water and this causes the weeping in an egg custard (or the scientific term for this is syneresis).

What can cause a custard pie to have a soggy bottom crust? ›

A soggy bottom crust happens when the wet filling of your pie soaks into the raw pie dough beneath before it's had a chance to set, causing it to become sodden and gummy. This is particularly problematic with both fruit pie and custard fillings because they have high moisture content.

How do you keep custard pie from getting watery? ›

Prebake your crust

Prebaking provides insurance against soggy bottoms during a low and slow bake, which custard pies demand.” A preheated baking stone helps your pies brown on the bottom.

How to fix runny custard pie? ›

The first option is to mix two tablespoons of flour with four tablespoons of cold water for every cup of custard you've made. Mix the flour into the water well, then whisk it into your custard mixture as it cooks on the stove. You can follow the same steps with cornstarch instead of flour if you prefer as well.

How do you fix a runny coconut cream pie? ›

Runny custard: You may have undercooked your custard. If it fails to thicken after bringing it to a low boil, it can be fixed by stirring in a slurry of equal parts cornstarch and water. Mix the two together and whisk it into the hot custard. Bring to a boil, stirring, until thickened.

Why did my custard turn out watery? ›

There's not a whole lot of room for mistakes with traditional milk or cream, sugar and egg custard. One degree during cooking can make a difference in the texture. When overcooked, it toughens, the liquid is squeezed out, and it turns into scrambled eggs and juice.

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