Old Fashioned Coconut Custard Pie Recipe

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Coconut custard pies are often a staple for holiday dinner desserts but it is a refreshing summer dessert also - just drizzle a little mango curd on your serving plates and over the top of the pie! Add a dash of nutmeg if creating for your holiday menu.

This pie is not too fancy and not too complicated to make - so grab your kids and have them help you create it.

• This pie is best baked in a sweet pie dough but a flaky pie dough or graham cracker crust will also work nicely. Alternatively, the pie may be baked without a crust for a crustless coconut custard pie.
• Bring the eggs and whole milk to room temperature before mixing the custard filling. Cold eggs and milk could cause the filling to separate. If you are in a hurry, simply warm the milk slightly in the microwave and place the eggs in a bowl of warm water for several minutes.
• Use sweetened and shredded coconut for this pie. You don't need to toast your coconut before mixing the pie filling. We are sprinkling coconut on top of this pie prior to baking to create a crunchy top.

• The ingredients for this coconut custard pie are added one after the other. Whisk gently but thoroughly after the ingredients are added. Fold in the shredded coconut.
• Bake the pie on a cookie sheet or a pie drip catcher. My preference is to use a pie drip catcher with a hole in the center. This will allow heat to reach the bottom crust more easily.

I recommend chilling your pie crust prior to baking the pie. This will reduce the chances the pie crust will shrink or burn. My Sweet Pie Dough works wonderfully with this pie as it produces a buttery soft crust and holds it's shape well during baking.

Can I freeze this pie?

• Coconut custard pies should not be frozen. The custard may separate during the defrosting time.

What is a coconut custard pie vs a coconut cream pie?

• Coconut custard pie is made with an egg and milk filling that sets up and thickens in the oven. Coconut cream pie is a custard, but it's cooked on the stove and placed in the refrigerator until set.

How do I know when my pie is finished baking?

• You will know that the coconut custard pie is done when the center of the pie only wiggles slightly.

Does coconut custard pie need to be refrigerated?

• Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature. This will take approximately three hours. Once the pie is fully cooled, place in the refrigerator for storage. Allow the pie to come to room temperature prior to serving (approximately one hour). Note: never put a hot pie in the refrigerator.

Love coconut and want a few more dessert ideas? Check out the following recipes:

Coconut Macaroons Without Condensed Milk

German Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Mango Tart with a Coconut Graham Cracker Crust

Chocolate Coconut Cookie Bars