Charming Rustic French Coconut Pie Recipe for Sweet Moments

Nestled in the heart of French pastry traditions, this rustic French coconut pie weaves a delightful tale of sweet indulgence.

Creamy coconut flavors dance through a golden, flaky crust that whispers of homemade comfort.

Each slice carries the warmth of classic French bakeries, blending tropical richness with delicate baking techniques.

The recipe celebrates simple ingredients transformed into a remarkable dessert that surprises and delights.

Buttery pastry cradles a silky coconut filling that melts on your tongue.

Warm or chilled, this pie promises a luxurious escape into culinary bliss.

Prepare to savor a slice of pure, elegant decadence.

What You’ll Need to Make French Coconut Pie Shine

• Pie Crust: Provides the foundation for the pie, holds the luscious filling; use refrigerated or homemade crust for best texture and flavor; ensure edges are crimped neatly for a professional look.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create golden caramelization; choose granulated white sugar for consistent results.
• Butter: Brings rich, creamy depth and helps bind ingredients; use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Milk: Creates smooth, silky texture in filling; whole milk works best for maximum richness.
• Eggs: Act as natural thickener and provide structure; use room temperature eggs for even mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes; pure vanilla extract recommended for best taste.
• Flour: Helps thicken filling and provides subtle structure; all-purpose flour works perfectly.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors; use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Shredded Coconut: Creates signature tropical flavor and delightful texture; choose unsweetened for more control over sweetness; fresh or packaged both work well.

Baking Tools for French Coconut Pie That Never Fails

• Pie Dish: Essential for holding and baking the pie, preferably a 9-inch standard size.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining all filling ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sugar, eggs, and other wet ingredients without lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps spread filling evenly and scrape mixture from bowl.
• Oven: Required for baking the pie to golden perfection.
• Toothpick: Used to test pie doneness by checking center filling.

How to Bake French Coconut Pie Like a Pro

• Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C) so it’s ready for the pie’s golden transformation.

• Create Pie Base

Gently place your pie crust into a waiting dish, making sure it hugs the edges perfectly. If you want extra crispiness, give it a quick pre-bake for about 10 minutes.

• Whip Together Filling

Grab a big mixing bowl and dance your whisk through sugar, melted butter, milk, eggs, vanilla, flour, and salt until everything blends into a silky smooth mixture. Fold in shredded coconut for that tropical twist.

• Fill The Crust

Pour your luscious coconut mixture into the waiting pie crust, spreading it out like a creamy blanket.

• Bake To Perfection

Slide your pie into the hot oven and let it bake for 45-50 minutes. Watch for a gorgeous golden top and a center that’s set just right – no wiggle room!

• Chill And Delight

Allow your pie to cool down and settle. For an extra wow factor, crown it with a cloud of whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted coconut before serving.

Switch It Up: Coconut Pie Twists You’ll Love

• Use room-temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and a consistent texture throughout the filling.
• Always let the pie cool completely before slicing to help the filling set properly and prevent a runny consistency.
• Substitute coconut milk for regular milk and use dairy-free butter alternative to create a completely dairy-free version of this classic pie.
• Prepare the entire pie up to two days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and making party prep easier.
• Toast the coconut flakes before adding to the filling for an enhanced nutty flavor and extra crispy texture that takes the pie to the next level.

Serve French Coconut Pie With Simplicity and Style

• Tropical Dessert Companion: Pair this luscious French Coconut Pie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a creamy, contrasting texture that enhances the pie's rich coconut flavor.
• Brunch Showstopper: Serve slices alongside fresh tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, or passion fruit to create a vibrant and refreshing breakfast or brunch centerpiece that celebrates island-inspired flavors.
• Elegant Finishing Touch: Garnish each slice with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few toasted coconut flakes to add visual appeal and an extra layer of nutty, caramelized crunch that complements the pie's smooth filling.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the pie's sweet profile with a chilled glass of Moscato or a light dessert wine that echoes the coconut's tropical notes and provides a delightful after-dinner experience.

Storing French Coconut Pie Without Losing That Texture

• Refrigerate leftover pie slices in an airtight container for 3-4 days to maintain freshness and protect the delicate coconut texture.
• Wrap the entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 2 months without losing flavor quality.
• Prepare the pie filling and pie crust one day before baking, keeping them separately refrigerated to save time and enhance flavor development.
• Always allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating, preventing condensation and maintaining the perfect custard-like consistency.

FAQs

• Is French Coconut Pie traditionally from France?

While the name suggests French origins, this pie is actually more commonly associated with Southern United States cuisine, particularly Louisiana. It has a rich, sweet flavor profile that combines creamy custard with toasted coconut.

• Can I use fresh or dried coconut for this recipe?

Both fresh and dried shredded coconut work well in this recipe. Just ensure the coconut is finely shredded for the best texture and even distribution throughout the pie filling.

• What makes the texture of French Coconut Pie unique?

The pie develops a crispy, slightly caramelized coconut top while maintaining a soft, custardy interior. This creates a delightful contrast in textures that sets it apart from other coconut desserts.

• Is this pie considered a difficult dessert to make?

Not at all! French Coconut Pie is relatively simple to prepare. The filling is essentially a one-bowl mixture that gets poured into a pie crust, making it an easy dessert for bakers of all skill levels.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 366 kcal

Servings: 9

Rustic French Coconut Pie Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delightful French Coconut Pie promises a tropical escape with classic southern charm. Crisp pastry and rich coconut custard create a perfect dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

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• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Configure the oven to 350F (175C), establishing an optimal baking environment for a golden, tempting dessert.
2. Crust Preparation: Carefully nestle the pie crust into a standard pie dish, meticulously crimping the edges for an elegant presentation. Briefly toast the crust to fortify against moisture infiltration.
3. Filling Fusion: Whisk together sugar, melted butter, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, and salt until achieving a silky, unified liquid. Incorporate shredded coconut, ensuring thorough and even distribution throughout the mixture.
4. Pie Assembly: Delicately pour the coconut-infused filling into the prepared crust, utilizing a spatula to create a smooth, consistent surface that eliminates potential air pockets.
5. Baking and Finishing: Slide the pie into the preheated oven, baking for 45-50 minutes until the surface transforms into a rich, caramelized golden-brown. Validate doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should emerge pristine with minimal residue.
6. Cooling and Presentation: Extract the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature, permitting the custard-like filling to stabilize and set. Optional: Embellish with toasted coconut flakes or a cloud of whipped cream before serving.

Notes

• Select High-Quality Coconut: Choose fresh, unsweetened shredded coconut for the most authentic and vibrant flavor profile in your pie.
• Prevent Crust Sogginess: Pre-bake the pie crust for 10 minutes to create a protective barrier that stops the filling from making the bottom soggy and maintains a crisp texture.
• Master Filling Consistency: Whisk ingredients thoroughly but gently to avoid incorporating too much air, which can cause the filling to become puffy or unstable during baking.
• Monitor Baking Carefully: Check the pie at 40 minutes to prevent over-browning; cover edges with aluminum foil if they’re turning too dark while the center needs more time to set completely.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 366
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg