If you love rich, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth desserts, then this French Coconut Pie is about to become your new favorite treat. Picture this: a perfectly flaky, golden crust cradling a luscious, custard-like coconut filling that’s both creamy and slightly chewy, with a beautifully caramelized top that adds just the right amount of toasty sweetness. Sounds like a dream, right?
This pie is a true Southern classic, with a touch of French inspiration, and it’s the kind of nostalgic, no-fuss dessert that brings back memories of cozy family dinners and holiday gatherings. But don’t let its fancy name fool you this pie is incredibly easy to make! No special techniques, no hard-to-find ingredients. Just mix, pour, and bake.
So whether you’re making it for a dinner party, a holiday spread, or just because you’re craving something utterly delicious, trust me this pie will steal the show.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably Easy – No complicated steps. Just mix the ingredients, pour them into a pie crust, and let the oven do the work!
- Incredible Texture – The filling is rich, creamy, and slightly chewy thanks to the coconut, while the top gets perfectly caramelized.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Whether you’re serving it for Thanksgiving, Easter, or a casual family dinner, this pie is always a hit.
- Stores Beautifully – It tastes just as amazing (if not better) the next day, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert.
Ingredients
(Full measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom!)
- Pie crust – The crispy, buttery foundation that holds all the creamy coconut goodness. You can use a homemade crust or a good-quality store-bought one.
- Eggs – They provide structure and give the filling its signature custardy texture.
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens the pie and helps create that golden caramelized top.
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness and depth of flavor.
- Evaporated milk – Gives the filling a creamy, smooth consistency without making it too heavy.
- Shredded coconut – The star ingredient! It adds flavor, texture, and toasts beautifully as the pie bakes.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors.
- Vinegar or lemon juice – A little acidity balances the sweetness and brightens the overall flavor.
How to Make French Coconut Pie
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out your pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. If you want an extra crispy bottom, you can blind-bake it for about 5 minutes, but it’s not necessary!
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until the mixture looks pale and slightly thickened. This helps create a light yet rich texture in the filling.
Add in the melted butter, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and vinegar or lemon juice. Stir everything together until smooth.
Step 3: Fold in the Coconut
Gently fold in the shredded coconut until it’s evenly distributed. Pro tip: If you love a deeper coconut flavor, lightly toast the coconut in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding it!
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
Pour the coconut mixture into the pie crust, spreading it evenly. Place the pie in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is slightly jiggly but set.
Step 5: Cool & Serve
Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing. This allows the custard to firm up and ensures clean, perfect slices.
Pro Tips for the Best French Coconut Pie
- Use a homemade pie crust for extra flavor. If you have the time, a buttery, flaky homemade crust takes this pie to the next level!
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing. The filling sets as it cools, making it easier to cut. If you slice too soon, it may be too soft.
- Want a crispier top? Sprinkle a little extra sugar on top before baking for a beautiful caramelized finish.
- For a flavor boost, add a splash of rum or almond extract. Just ½ teaspoon of dark rum or almond extract can add a subtle depth of flavor that makes this pie even more irresistible.
- Serve it slightly warm. A few seconds in the microwave before serving brings out the flavors beautifully.
How to Serve French Coconut Pie
This pie is delicious on its own, but if you want to take it to the next level, try pairing it with:
- A dollop of whipped cream – Light and airy, it balances the richness of the filling.
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream – Because warm pie + cold ice cream = heaven!
- A drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce – For an extra indulgent touch.
- A cup of hot coffee or tea – The bitterness of the coffee cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
- Keep the pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors get even better over time!
- Store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep it from drying out.
Freezing
- This pie freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Reheating
- Microwave – Warm a slice for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
- Oven – If you prefer a crispier texture, reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes.
FAQs about French Coconut Pie
Can I use sweetened coconut instead of unsweetened?
Yes! Sweetened coconut will make the pie slightly sweeter, but it works just as well. If you prefer a balanced sweetness, consider reducing the sugar slightly.
Do I need to prebake the pie crust?
Not necessarily! The filling bakes long enough that the crust cooks perfectly along with it. But if you prefer an extra-crispy bottom, blind-bake it for 5-7 minutes before adding the filling.
Can I use regular milk instead of evaporated milk?
You can, but the texture won’t be as rich and creamy. If substituting, use half-and-half or mix whole milk with a little extra butter for added richness.
Why did my pie crack on top?
Overbaking can cause cracks. The pie is done when the center is slightly jiggly but set it will firm up as it cools.
More Baking Tips & Insights
If you love baking as much as I do, you might be curious about some essential baking ingredients and techniques. Check out these helpful articles to level up your baking game:
- How Important Is Brown Sugar in Cookies? Learn how brown sugar affects the texture, flavor, and chewiness of your cookies! Read more here
- Can I Bake Sourdough Discard by Itself? Discover a simple recipe and a comprehensive guide to using sourdough discard in baking. Find out here
- Why Did Rice Krispies Change? If you’ve noticed a difference in your favorite cereal, here’s everything you need to know about the change. Learn more here
- Original Ingredients in Rice Krispies Wondering what went into the classic Rice Krispies recipe? Here’s a breakdown of its original ingredients. Check it out here
Final Thoughts
And there you have it a rich, creamy, utterly irresistible French Coconut Pie! Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or just treating yourself to something delicious, this pie is guaranteed to impress.
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, bake this beauty, and get ready for rave reviews!
Print
French Coconut Pie
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This French Coconut Pie is a rich, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth dessert with a luscious custard-like coconut filling that’s creamy, slightly chewy, and perfectly caramelized on top. With its flaky golden crust and deeply satisfying coconut flavor, this pie is a true Southern classic with a French twist. It’s incredibly easy to make—just mix, pour, and bake! Perfect for the holidays, family gatherings, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
For the Pie
- 1 (9-inch) pie crust – Store-bought or homemade
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (240ml) evaporated milk
- 1 ½ cups (135g) shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out your pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. If you want an extra crispy bottom, you can blind-bake it for 5 minutes, but this step is optional.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. This helps create a light yet rich custard.
Mix in the melted butter, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and vinegar or lemon juice until fully combined and smooth.
Gently fold in the shredded coconut until evenly distributed. (Pro tip: For a deeper coconut flavor, lightly toast the coconut in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding it!)
Pour the coconut mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is slightly jiggly but set.
Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing. This allows the custard to firm up, ensuring clean, perfect slices. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm.
Notes
- For a crispier top, sprinkle a little extra sugar on top before baking for a caramelized finish.
- Want an extra depth of flavor? Add ½ teaspoon of dark rum or almond extract to the filling.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing to get perfect, clean slices.
- To store: Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze slices for up to 3 months.
- Reheat slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern, French
Keywords: French coconut pie, coconut custard pie, easy coconut pie, southern pie recipe, homemade pie, old-fashioned coconut pie