Best Coconut Cream Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why didn t my coconut cream pie set? ›

If you don't let the pie come to room temperature before serving the coconut cream filling will not have set and will be runny.

Undercooked Filling: If the cornstarch-thickened filling hasn't been cooked long enough to reach a boil and then simmered for a few minutes, it may not set properly, leading to weeping as it cools.

Cream of Coconut vs Coconut Cream

The biggest difference between cream of coconut and coconut cream is that cream of coconut is much sweeter. Outside of taste, coconut cream is also a much thinner texture than cream of coconut.

Coconut cream is often used to add flavor and richness to vegan and dairy-free dishes and desserts. It works especially well in recipes like sauces, curries, cakes, and custards. You can also use coconut cream to make a vegan version of whipped cream.

Blind Bake

The most common way to ward off a soggy pie crust is by a process called blind baking. Blind baking means you pre-bake the crust (sometimes covered with parchment or foil and weighed down with pie weights to prevent the crust from bubbling up) so that it sets and crisps up before you add any wet filling.

Make Sure the Pie Filling Is Hot

As the pie finishes baking in the oven, remove it when the meringue turns light brown. Removing the meringue before it has finished cooking can cause condensation. At the same time, don't overcook it, which can also cause weeping.

Why is my coconut cream pie filling runny? Be sure that you are not using low-fat ingredients. Make sure that the filling has the texture of a thick pudding before pouring it into your pie crust. The filling will thicken a bit more as it cools.

To fix this, you can cook the pudding mixture over low heat until it thickens, or add a thickener such as cornstarch or tapioca flour. Another possible reason for a runny banana cream pie is that the pie filling was not chilled properly before being added to the crust.

What is condensed coconut milk? This product is thick and sweet, it's made from coconut milk, water, sugar and usually a thickener. Best for using in drinks such as pina coladas or as a dairy-free substitute for condensed milk. It's not suitable as a substitute for coconut milk or cream.

The fat content of coconut milk should be roughly that of a dairy-based heavy cream. So, when a recipe calls for heavy cream, you just make a one-to-one substitution with coconut milk – so long as the fat content matches up.

Is canned coconut cream the same as full fat coconut milk? ›

Coconut cream is the same thing as coconut milk—coconut meat blended with water—but it contains less water. While coconut milk is thin like cow's milk, coconut cream is thick like whipped cream. You can find this fat-rich cream floating on the top of any canned coconut milk, or you can buy it in a dedicated can.

As with all things, moderation is key and reading labels to avoid added sugars is important. Sweetened coconut products, such as the flakes used in baking and the cream used for pina coladas, are best enjoyed in small portions so that the effects on cholesterol and blood sugar are minimal.

“Coconut cream is used in both desserts and curries, especially in Thai cuisine, where it serves as a base for cooking curry paste until the oil separates, enhancing the dish with a richer, more fragrant flavor and coconut milk is added in later for more body to the curries,” Suansilphong says.

Coconut cream is perfect for vegans, since it is plant based, as well as for those who are lactose-intolerant or those who have nut allergies. It contains no cholesterol and it's a great source of protein, antioxidants, phosphorus, magnesium, folate and potassium. Coconut cream is beneficial to hair and skin too!

Chilling overnight is key or the coconut cream won't harden and will likely be too soft to whip. Before whipping, chill a large mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes! If your coconut whipped cream is too stiff when whipping, add some of the reserved liquid from the can to help it blend smoother and create more air!

Easiest ways to fix a runny pie.

The easiest ways and hopefully ONLY ways you'll ever need to know are: Put your pie back in the high temp oven on the lowest rack until the filling is bubbly and the crust is brown. If needed, use a pie shield or aluminum foil to keep the crust from burning. Let your pie cool overnight.