The easiest ever Coconut Pie. Just mix all the ingredients together, pour into a pie dish and bake. As it bakes, the batter separates into 3 distinct layers - a delicious soft pastry base, a creamy custard filling and a crunchy coconut topping. Eat a slice by itself or top it with whipped cream or ice cream for extra indulgence.
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Easy Coconut Pie
It's been a hectic couple of weeks at Foodle Club. We had two family weddings in one week, with family and friends arriving from South Africa and Australia to join in the celebrations.
We had a houseful. 4 people slept over at our house and another 4 in nearby hotels because we didn't have enough room. And everyone turned up at our house for meals. It was a huge task to make sure everyone was fed and watered. But I loved it. It was the first time in nearly 14 years that I and my three children had been together in one place.
Luckily my daughter from South Africa reminded me of this delicious coconut pie. This is ideal for large gatherings because it is quite a large pie and it only takes 5 minutes to throw together. As it bakes it forms the most deliciously soft pastry base, with a creamy custard filling and a crunchy coconut topping. And it's big enough for everyone to have a slice (or two slices because it tastes so good).
I've tried to capture the layers in the following photo. You should be able to make out the pastry layer at the bottom, with the custard filling sitting above it, with the crunchy coconut layer on top.
Ingredients for Coconut Pie
You can get the complete list of ingredients and full instructions on how to make this coconut pie on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
You don't need many ingredients at all.
- Eggs - you need 4 large eggs. If you don't have large eggs, medium will do.
- Sugar - 1 cup white sugar. You can cut this down to ¾ cup if you want a dessert that is less sweet.
- Flour - ½ cup. Use plain flour, not self-raising. This recipe does not need any baking powder.
- Milk - 2 cups - I used full fat, but you can use semi-skimmed if you like.
- Butter - ½ cup. Melt it in the microwave first, and let it cool down a bit before using. Don't add hot melted butter to the mixture or you stand a chance of cooking the eggs.
- Coconut - 1 cup. Use sweetened desiccated coconut from a packet from the supermarket.
- Vanilla extract or essence - this is optional but adds a nice flavour.
How to make Coconut Pie
- Sift the flour into a bowl and then add the rest of the ingredients (image 1 above).
- Give it a quick mix to combine (image 2 above).
- The mixture will be very loose and runny but don't worry this is perfectly normal. As the pie bakes it will separate into three distinct layers - a pastry base will form at the bottom with a custard layer above that and a crunchy coconut layer on top.
- Pour into a greased 12" pie dish (image 3 above) and place in a preheated oven (350F / 175F) for 1 hour (image 4 above).
- Keep your eye on it towards the end of the cooking time. The pie will be cooked when it feels firm to the touch and no longer 'jiggles'. The top will be golden brown.
- You may find that the pie cracks on top as it cooks. Don't worry - as the pie cools and settles the cracks will sink back together. You can sprinkle icing sugar on the top to disguise any remaining cracks.
- Once the pie is cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.
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📋The recipe
Easy Coconut Pie
(Click the stars to rate this recipe)
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- 12" diameter pie dish
Ingredients
- ½ cup (70g) plain all purpose flour
- 1 cup (100g) desiccated coconut
- 1 cup (200g) white sugar
- ½ cup (115g) butter melted
- 4 medium eggs
- 2 cups (1 pint) milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C
- Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl.
- Add all the remaining ingredients.
- Mix well to combine.
- Pour into a greased 12" baking dish.
- Place in the pre-heated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the baking dish.
Notes
Nutrition
I am not a nutritionist. The nutrition information has been calculated using an on-line calculator, and is intended for information and guidance purposes only. If the nutrition information is important to you, you should consider calculating it yourself, using your preferred tool.
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Soraya Jamie says
Hello... Love this tart.. You mentioned a custard layer.. How much custard do I throw in?? Thank you excited!
VJ says
Hi, you don't need to add any custard - just use the ingredients in the recipe. The tart will form a layer of custard as it bakes in the oven.
Kate says
I made this pie/Dessert yesterday and it didn’t turn out like it looks the 12 inch dish was far to big so it ended up very shallow not deep and I cooked it for 50mins at 175 and it was over cooked . The flavour was lovely so I will try it again !
VJ says
Hi Kate, Thank you for your comment. I have revisited this recipe and you are 100% correct. The pie should be cooked in a 10-inch dish for 45 minutes. I can only apologise and I really hope I didn't spoil your dessert. I've updated the recipe to reflect this.
I might add that your comments worried me so I made the pie again myself - following the recipe instructions - and apart from the issues you pointed out it turned out perfectly!
Kate says
Thank you for getting back to me that’s helpful , I will do it again in a 10inch dish and for 45 mins next time . I am just going to try your coconut and pineapple cake so wish me luck !
VJ says
Sorry for the late reply. I hope the coconut and pineapple cake turned out well!
Janet Devlin says
Easiest pie I ever made! Went exactly to plan. It is remarkable the way it separates into three layers. I made a caramel sauce to drizzle over the top - a couple of handfuls of caramel sweets melted over pot of boiling water. Add two tablespoons of hot water. When it is all liquid add in two tablespoons of cream (or milk) and some sea salt. Keep in a bottle or jar in the fridge. I think this would be wonderful served with some fresh cream and mango and kiwi slices.
VJ says
Thanks for letting me know. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.
Loving the idea of your caramel sauce though - sounds great!!!
VJ x
Denise says
Great recipe, so quick and easy, went down a treat. Clever how the layers do actually separate whilst cooking. definitely one to make again. Thank you 🙂
VJ says
Thanks Denise - glad it turned out well for you. 🙂
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
WOW! That is so clever. I love the idea of a pie that makes itself! Eb 🙂
VJ says
Thanks - you could say it's "as easy as pie" to make too. 🙂
Rosemary says
I will definitely be trying this recipe. I've made similar recipes with citrus but never with coconut!
VJ says
Hope you enjoy it 🙂
donna says
I love coconut, but no one else in my house is that keen. So I'd get to eat all of this yummy pie!
VJ says
I have a similar problem - hubby doesn't eat any desserts - so every time I bake one I either have to eat it myself or pass it on to my neighbour 🙂
Monika Dabrowski says
This cake looks amazingly fluffy and sounds easy to make and I love that about cakes! Fantastic recipe:)
VJ says
Easiest recipe ever - and you don't have to be too precise with the measurements either.