Coconut Chess Pie

This delicious Coconut Chess Pie recipe takes 5 minutes of prep transforming pantry ingredients into an unforgettable dessert. Enjoy it with a generous dollop of whipped cream on top for a sweet ending to any occasion.

Ingredients to Make Coconut Chess Pie Recipe

Chess pies are a classic Southern dessert that never disappoints. A basic chess pie is much like a buttermilk pie or custard pie with a slightly different texture due to using cornmeal or flour to stabilize the filling. This variation of chess pie features flaked coconut for a decadent taste and texture akin to a French Coconut Pie. Ingredients to make a simple Coconut Chess Pie: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Pie Shell – One unbaked 9-inch deep dish frozen pie crust.
• Coconut – Sweetened flaked coconut, not fresh coconut.
• Filling – Buttermilk and melted butter for richness
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract enhances the filling with creamy floral notes.
• Whole Eggs – Large eggs and all purpose flour bind the filling.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness.
• Seasoning – Freshly ground nutmeg adds just a hint of spice.
• Whipped Cream – Fresh whipped cream or cool whip for serving.

How to Make the BEST Coconut Chess Pie

• Pie Shell – Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pie crust into prepared 9-inch pie plate and onto a baking sheet to move easily in and out of the oven. If using a frozen crust, there’s no need to thaw.
• Filling – Whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, eggs, sugar, flour and nutmeg until fully combined. Add coconut, stir to combine.
• Fill Shell – Pour mixture evenly into crust.
• Transfer to the Oven – Place into the oven. Bake per the recipe. Check halfway and cover the edges with foil. Bake or until the center is set when gently shaken.
• Remove from Oven – Cool completely on a baking rack.
• Serve – Slice and serve coconut chess pie with a dollop of whipped cream.

Tips for Making Southern Coconut Chess Pie

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Sheet pan, measuring cups and spoons, whisk, hand mixer, large bowl, 9-inch deep dish pie pan and wire rack.
• Use a Sheet Pan for Easy Movement: I highly recommend using a sheet pan to move the pie in and out of the oven easily. You don’t have to do this but it’s very helpful.
• Use Coconut Shreds: This recipe uses sweetened flaked coconut and not fresh coconut for the filling. Use a good quality brand of flaked coconut that has medium size shreds. Long stringy coconut doesn’t work as well here and makes the pie harder to slice evenly.
• When to Serve: You can serve this pie for dessert year-round. It’s perfect for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer picnics, tea parties or entertaining.

Recipe Variations

• Butter: You can use melted unsalted butter adding 1/4 teaspoon salt to the chess pie filling.
• Flour Substitution: You can use 1 tablespoon of yellow cornmeal in place of all purpose flour.
• Finely Shredded Coconut Works Best: If the coconut you’re using has long shreds meaning 1-inch or longer, you can pulse it a few times in a food processor to chop. Be careful and pulse in short bursts so you don’t turn it into a coconut pate.
• Pie Shell: You can use a quality frozen deep dish pie crust for this recipe to make prep time a cinch. Marie Callender’s or Mrs. Smith’s are both tasty. It’s not necessary to thaw the crust or blind bake the frozen crust prior to filling and baking.
• Pie Shell Using Pie Dough: You can also use a refrigerated crust or a homemade pie crust. Checkout my recipe for Flaky Pie Crust here. A homemade crust or a refrigerated crust, should be filled with pie weights and blind baked for around 8 minutes prior to filling.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store baked Southern Coconut Chess Pie covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer Storage: You can freeze this Southern-style chess pie for up to 2 months. When doing so, thaw overnight in the refrigerator prior to serving.

More Easy Pie Recipes to Make

• You’ll love the addition of fruit in this Pineapple Buttermilk Pie.
• Serve this Apple Crumb Pie warm with vanilla ice cream.
• You may also like this Chocolate Chess Pie for the chocolate fans at your table.
• Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie is a holiday favorite!
• Old Fashioned Egg Custard Pie comes together in no time with ingredients you already have on hand.
• My recipe for Sweet Potato Pie features a crunchy streusel that takes it to another level.
• Rich and decadent German Chocolate Pie.
• Rhubarb Pie from Affair From the Heart.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Deep Dish Pie Pan
• Measuring Set
• Mixing Bowls
• Pie Server