Southern Classic: Homemade Coconut Cream Pie

November 4, 2022 122 Comments

4 Nov

Southern classic recipes are the best! So are southern pies.

my Story behind pie making

There seems to be a story behind many of our favorite foods even a coconut custard pie.

My husband likes pies with whipped cream or meringue on the top. I don’t make them.

I think I was intimidated by the sky high meringue some pie makes I knew!

weekly pies by my mom

My mom made a pie each week. She only made 2 types and they were absolutely delicious! Apple and Cherry. There might be ice cream for the cherry but there was only a slice of cheddar cheese for the apple.

Years ago I found I could not measure up to many of the wonderful southern cooks who always brought stunningly beautiful and delicious pies to pot lucks and served to top off a great meal. My specialities lay elsewhere.

Southern classic coconut pie recipe

One Christmas I ran across a blog, Add a Pinch. I read a few recipes and knew this woman HAD to be a southerner. She posted recipes that mirrored many of my own family recipes.

Turns out Robyn is a southern woman from several generations of southern women! I am too!

She had a pie recipe that I knew would make my poor deprived husband drool. Shh, I had to change the name because he only wanted coconut custard pie.

new pie traditions

That Christmas dinner, I asked Jessica, our soon to be daughter in law. She is a very good cook and was willing to make the pie. Last Thanksgiving she made an incredible apple pie. See here for that recipe.

Meg often pitches in too. She love to bake.

So she did make that pie. It was so good she had to make another pie the very next day!

Just little overboard.

behind the scene pie story

There is more behind the story. Over the years we have hosted many people on holidays who were from home, like we were for many years. I would ask what is a favorite dish on this holiday? Then I try to add that to the meal.

I thought I asked Jessica but I don’t think I did that year.

When I asked her to make the pie she told me it was one she and her mom had at Christmas!

They added bananas which we left out. It is now part of our best menu choices.

It’s a new tradition. A very delicious tradition!

Linda @ bushelandapickle.com

Coconut Custard Pie

3.26 from 114 votes

Delicious classic custard pie; a family favorite from Robyn @ Add a Pinch

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 10

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

1 pie crust recipe or graham cracker crust recipe
Pie Topping:
1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut
Custard:
1 1/2 cup coconut milk
1 1/2 cup half & half
5 egg yolks microwave the whites for the dogs
3/4 cup sugar
4 tbls cornstarch
1 tbls butter
1 1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut freeze left over, keeps beautifully
1 1/2 teas vanilla
Whipped Topping:
2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 teas vanilla

Method

Prepare crust according to instructions
Topping:
Spread coconut evenly on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes until coconut just starts to turn toasty brown
Set aside to cool
Custard:
Pour together coconut milk & half & half in liquid missing cup
Whisk in egg yolks
In a heavy bottom sauce pan, add sugar , cornstarch.
Over med-low heat slowly add while whisking in egg & milk mixture
Whisk constantly!
Constant stirring will prevent scorching or curdling of custard mixture
Bring custard mix to a boil.
Continue to stir constantly using a wooden spoon or heat resisting spatula
Boil for ONE minute
Remover from heat
Add butter, coconut and salt blending well
Spread custard mix into cooled pie shell
Cover lightly with plastic wrap pushing wrap lightly close over custard mixture and refrigerate for 30 – 45 minutes
It will not make a firm set; this is custard
Whipped Topping
Add sugar to whipping cream in a large bowl
Whisk with electric mixer until stiff peaks form
Add vanilla; whisk until blended in
Spread off cooled custard pie
Sprinkle cool toasted coconut evenly over top
Enjoy!

This pie makes a beautiful presentation but once you cut, the yummy custard covers your plate for a “very m m m m” satisfying taste! Remember it is so good we had to have another one the very next day!

What recipe is your family’s favorite?

~~~~~~~~

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. The products are similar and items our family enjoys. Thanks for your purchases.