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Coconut Macaroon Pie
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Inspired by the sold-by-the-slice pies that seaside vendors offer in Yelapa, Mexico, food writer and recipe developer Paola Briseño-González created this pay de coco (“coconut pie” in Spanish). She aptly describes the tropical sweet treat as a coconut macaroon in pie form. Both the filling and crust are sturdy enough that a slice can be eaten sans fork, as one would enjoy a piece while out for a walk on the beach in Yelapa. This pie is best served slightly warm or at room temperature rather than chilled. Store extras well wrapped at room temperature for up to three days.
8 to 10
Servings
Don’t use sweetened shredded coconut or the filling will wind up too sugary. Also, be sure to use regular (full-fat) canned coconut milk; light coconut milk will yield a filling that’s watery in both texture and flavor.
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195
grams (1½ cups) all-purpose flour
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¼
teaspoon table salt
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57
grams (4 tablespoons) salted butter, cut into pieces
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57
grams (¼ cup) vegetable shortening, cut into pieces
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225
grams (2½ cups) shredded unsweetened coconut, divided
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14
ounce can coconut milk
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214
grams (1 cup) white sugar
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1
tablespoon cornstarch
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1
tablespoon lime juice
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1
teaspoon vanilla extract
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¾
teaspoon table salt
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4
large eggs
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01Heat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the middle position. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then make a well in the center; set aside.
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02In a small saucepan, combine the butter, shortening and ¼ cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, stirring to melt the solids. As soon as they’re melted and the mixture is simmering, pour it into the well of the dry ingredients. Working quickly, stir with a silicone spatula until the dry ingredients are evenly moistened and without any dry patches; the dough will be very soft and resemble wet mashed potatoes. Turn it out onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and, using your hands, form it into a 6- to 8-inch disk.
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03Cover the dough disk with another large sheet of plastic wrap and roll it into a 12-inch round of even thickness. Peel off the top sheet of plastic. Using the bottom sheet, carefully flip the round into a 9-inch pie plate, centering it as best you can. Ease the dough, still on the plastic, into the corners and up the sides of the pie plate. Carefully peel off the plastic. If needed, patch any tears in the dough. Trim the excess dough and flute or crimp the edge. Carefully line the dough with a large sheet of foil, gently pressing it into the corners and up the sides, then fill with about 2 cups pie weights.
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04Bake until the dough is set, about 20 minutes. Carefully lift out the foil with weights, then prick the pie shell all over with a fork to deflate any air bubbles and prevent additional ones from forming. Bake until the shell is lightly browned, another 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Reduce oven to 350°F.
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05In a blender, combine 135 grams (1½ cups) of the shredded coconut, the coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch, lime juice, vanilla and salt. Puree, scraping the blender jar once or twice, until the mixture is as smooth as possible, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the eggs and blend until combined, about 10 seconds.
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06Pour the puree into a large bowl. Stir in the remaining 90 grams (1 cup) shredded coconut, then pour the mixture into the pie crust. Bake until the filling is lightly browned and puffed at the edges and the center is slightly domed, 55 to 60 minutes.
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07Cool on a wire rack; the filling will settle during cooling. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.