Classic Coconut Cream Pie – The Stay At Home Chef

We are firm believers that pie is always a good idea. Had a bad day? Console yourself with pie. Had a good day? Celebrate with pie — even better with a dollop of whipped cream. You get the gist: we simply can’t get enough! There are so many types to choose from: fruit pies, vegetable pies (don’t knock sweet potato pie before you try it!), and even meat varieties always seem to sneak their way onto our menus. Lucky you, we’re always coming up with new pie recipes! Enter: The Stay At Home Chef’s perfected coconut cream pie. It’s filled with creamy and rich coconut that sits in a perfectly flaky crust. Finished with even more toasted coconut goodness on top and some homemade whipped cream, you won’t be able to stop after just one slice.

Do I Have To Toast The Coconut?

While toasting the coconut may seem like an unnecessary extra step, we promise it is worth the effort. Toasting brings out the deep and nutty flavor found in coconut. It also gives a crispy texture that is simply divine. Toasted coconut certainly elevates coconut cream pie to the next level!

Crust Options

As you can imagine, we love ourselves a homemade pie crust. If you’re feeling ambitious and want to create one yourself, we highly recommend our fool proof pie crust recipe. If not, that’s totally fine. Use your favorite store-bought version instead.

Use High-Quality Coconut Milk

The sumptuous coconut flavor in this recipe comes from coconut milk. We use an entire can of high-quality coconut milk whenever we can. Higher quality coconut milk has a higher fat content, so it does tend to taste better. That said, we know that you may be working with a strict budget. Use whatever you can afford!

What’s The Difference Between Coconut Custard And Coconut Cream Pie?

It’s all about the cooking methods. Coconut custard must be baked in the oven, while coconut cream pie is not. You will need to cook the creamy filling, but you do so in a saucepan on the stove. Once you’re done, you simply pour it into your pre-baked pie crust and let it set in the fridge. 

Troubleshooting: How Can I Thicken My Pie?

One of the reasons why this is the best coconut cream pie recipe evere is that the filling is creamy and thick. The key is in the added cornstarch. Just remember: you must stir the filling continuously, especially after you’ve added that thickening agent. If you don’t, the cornstarch will stick to the bottom of the pan. It could also make your filling fall flat. The egg yolks also work their magic on the consistency of this dessert. You shouldn’t have to worry about watery results thanks to these added ingredients. 

What Is Stabilized Whipped Cream?

Stabilized whipped cream is whipped cream that will hold its shape — it stays “stable.” Adding gelatin is key to helping it keep its shape. If you don’t want to use gelatin, you can replace it with agar-agar. This type of whipped cream is great for decorating, and we suggest that you pipe it on top for the most beautiful coconut cream pie. You can also simply spread it on with a spatula. Whatever you feel most comfortable with!

Optional Toppings:

You can absolutely serve this dessert as is. But, if you’re feeling fancy, consider adding these yummy toppings:

• Shaved chocolate
• Toasted almonds
• Fresh berries

Storage Instructions:

If you miraculously have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Enjoy it chilled — with some extra whipped cream of course!

If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious pie recipes: