Homemade Coconut Cream Pie

by Michelle
January 14, 2021

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this made from scratch Coconut Cream Pie! A true coconut lover’s dream pie that will make your grandma proud! From a graham cracker and toasted coconut crust to a creamy coconut custard pie filling and a rum-spiked whipped cream topping, this pie is classic, timeless and sensational.

In a world where there are new food trends every time you turn the page on the calendar (or log onto Instagram), sometimes it’s easy to forget about or brush off the old-fashioned classics.

I often forget about the myriad of amazing desserts that our grandmas were making long before there were food blogs, foodies, food trucks, and food trends. Back then, there was just food and of course, desserts. Cooked and baked from scratch, passed down from generation to generation, made without a fancy mixer, and revered as something special whenever it graced the table.

When I think of classic desserts, coconut cream pie is the first that comes to mind.

What is Coconut Cream Pie?

If you are unfamiliar with coconut cream pie, let me introduce you to the creamy deliciousness that is this beautiful pastry.

Variations to coconut cream pie range from the type of crust used to the way the filling gets baked. A few things however remain the same:

Crust- Some recipes use a flaky pastry crust, I opt instead for a graham cracker crust. A slight variation from my best graham cracker crust recipe, this addictive crust also contains toasted shredded coconut to give every component of this divine pie a dose of coconut.
Coconut Custard Filling- This is the difference between a coconut cream pie and a coconut custard pie. A cream pie cooks the custard filling on the stove and sets in the fridge. A coconut custard pie, on the other hand, bakes the custard filling in the oven.
Whipped Topping– Would it be a coconut cream pie if it weren’t topped with whipped cream?? This rum-spiked whipped topping takes the pie to another level!

How to make coconut cream pie from scratch

Let’s break down the steps for making this coconut pie recipe into three different parts – the crust, the filling, and the whipped topping.

Toast the Coconut

I cannot stress to you the importance of toasting the unsweetened shredded coconut. It brings out the nutty flavor in the coconut and adds a depth so good your taste buds will thank you!

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Toast the coconut. Spread the 5 tablespoons of coconut in a small baking pan and toast in the oven until golden brown, about 9 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool. Reserve 1 tablespoon for garnishing the finished pie.

Make the Graham Cracker Crust

Since the custard filling cooks on the stove and sets in the fridge it’s important to bake the pie crust before filling it with the creamy coconut center. Getting that crust packed in nice and tight means that it holds together beautifully when sliced instead of crumbling all over the place. To make the pie crust you:

Pulse the graham crackers and the remaining toasted coconut in a food processor until the crackers are broken down into coarse crumbs, about ten 1-second pulses. Process the mixture to evenly fine crumbs, about 12 seconds more.
Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl and stir in the sugar to combine; add the melted butter and toss with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Empty the crumb mixture into a 9-inch glass pie plate.
Press the crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate with a measuring cup to form a tight crust.
Bake the crust until deep golden brown and fragrant, about 22 minutes. Cool the crust on a wire rack while making the filling.

Make the Filling

A silky coconut cream filling packs in the sweet coconut flavor. To make your filling:

Simmer coconut milk, whole milk, shredded coconut, ⅓ cup of the sugar, and the salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar.
When the mixture reaches a simmer, whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl to break them up, then whisk in the remaining ⅓ cup sugar and cornstarch until well combined and no lumps remain.

Gradually whisk the simmering liquid into the yolk mixture to temper it, then return the mixture to the saucepan, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until 3 or 4 bubbles burst on the surface and the mixture is thickened, about 30 seconds.
Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla and butter.

Pour the filling into the cooled crust, press a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling and refrigerate until the filling is cold and firm, at least 3 hours.

Make the Whipped Cream Topping

Finish this delightful pie off with a rum-spiked whipped cream that truly takes this timeless classic a notch above. To make the whipped cream:

Beat the cream and sugar in the chilled bowl of an electric mixer at medium speed to soft peaks.
Add the rum and vanilla and continue to beat to barely stiff peaks.
Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled filling.
Sprinkle the reserved 1 tablespoon toasted coconut over the whipped cream and serve.
Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.

Baking notes

Where to find unsweetened shredded coconut?

This recipe calls for unsweetened shredded coconut, which is different than what you usually find in the baking aisle – sweetened shredded coconut.

I have typically found unsweetened coconut in the natural foods section of the grocery store, and you can buy it online from a variety of places (see link above).

Why does my custard pie get watery?

When you are making the custard it can sometimes be tricky to find the right balance between a nice firm filling and a filling that never quite sets. The biggest culprit when it comes to a runny filling is not letting the cornstarch get going when cooking the filling. You want it to become thick and bubbly before tempering the egg yolks. If it doesn’t get to this point, the filling won’t set and firm up correctly.

Topping and serving tips

If you are not into a rum-spiked whipped cream you can try a few different toppings instead.

Omit the rum and make a regular homemade whipped cream.
Use store-bought whipped topping (i.e. Cool Whip) for the topping to save time.
Try a whipped topping made out of coconut, like So Delicious Coco-whip, for an extra dose of coconut-y goodness!

Storage and shelf life

Storing leftovers: Store the finished pie in the refrigerator for up to 1 day covered with plastic wrap.
Make ahead: If you want to make this pie in advance, you can prep until you have put the filling in the crust. Then press the plastic wrap directly on the filling and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I would not add the whipped cream topping until less than a day before serving, as it will weep a bit.
Freezing instructions: To freeze coconut cream pie, allow the filling to set in the refrigerator for 3 hours with plastic wrap directly covering the filling and then cover with an extra layer of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil before moving to the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thawing directions: Thaw the pie to the refrigerator overnight, then top with whipped cream and serve.

More delicious coconut recipes:

Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

Get your forks ready for a slice of this decadent Coconut Cream Pie. The combination of the coconut-packed graham cracker crust with the creamy coconut filling topped with the light, airy rum whipped cream will have you licking your plate clean!

If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe! ❤️️