Description
This easy impossible coconut pie recipe bakes its own golden crust, creamy filling, and delicate topping from one simple pour. It’s perfect for busy home cooks, offering minimal cleanup and a comforting, tropical flavor for a foolproof homemade dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, or sweetened for a sweeter pie
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar, can reduce to 0.33 cup for lighter touch
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour, or 1:1 gluten-free baking blend
- 4 large eggs
- 1.5 cups whole milk, or full-fat canned coconut milk for dairy-free
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted (or salted butter, omitting extra salt)
- 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract, or vanilla bean paste
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prep Dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9-inch (23 cm) pie dish.
- Combine Dry & Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the 0.5 cup granulated sugar, 0.5 cup all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the 4 large eggs, 1.5 cups whole milk, 0.25 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 0.5 teaspoon ground cardamom until just combined and smooth, avoiding overmixing.
- Gently Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until just combined.
- Add Coconut & Pour Into Dish: Gently fold in the 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, then pour the mixture into the prepared 9-inch pie dish.
- Bake Pie Until Golden: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely Before Serving: Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours (or 120-180 minutes) before slicing and serving.
Notes
If your pie seems too jiggly after baking, it just needs more cooling time to set properly. For a sweeter pie, use sweetened flaked coconut. For a lighter touch, reduce sugar to 0.33 cup (note: texture might be slightly less firm). A good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend (with xanthan gum) can be used for a GF option. Full-fat canned coconut milk can replace whole milk for a dairy-free alternative (note: texture may be slightly denser). A sprinkle of nutmeg or a dash of almond extract can be added for warm spice notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 140 g)
- Calories: 400 calories
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg