No Bake Coconut Cream Pie made with instant coconut cream pudding mix, cream cheese, and a ready to use graham cracker crust. It's a mix between a coconut cheesecake and no bake coconut cream pie.
EASY COCONUT CREAM PIE MADE WITH INSTANT PUDDING
You will just love this easy coconut cream pie recipe! So simple to make thanks to the instant pudding mix and a store bought graham cracker crust. It's no secret that I love no bake dessert recipes around here and this coconut cream version just may be one of my very favorites.Â
I love using instant pudding mix in no bake pies because it's easy, tastes delicious, and it makes this pie recipe so simple to make that anyone can do it.
I have never had great success with making a cream pie from scratch (aka - without instant pudding). I find that the flavor is lacking and it's not ever the right texture. So even if you think you don't like instant pudding in pie recipes, just make this and it may change your mind.Â
HOW TO MAKE EASY NO BAKE COCONUT CREAM PIE
Graham Cracker Crust OR Shortbread Crust - These are the ready to use crusts that you will find in the baking aisle at the grocery store. I have used both a graham cracker crust and a shortbread crust and they have both been delicious. At some stores you can find the ready to use Nilla Wafer crusts. If my store has that one, that is the one I prefer to use in this recipe.Â
Coconut Cream Instant Pudding Mix - Make sure you are getting the coconut cream instant pudding (like what is pictured below) and not the cook & serve pudding.Â
Half & Half - This is half milk and half cream. You want a higher fat milk for this recipe so you get that really thick texture. Try and use the highest percentage fat milk that you have. Half & Half is the preferred choice but you could also use whole milk or 2%.
Cream Cheese - I use regular, full fat cream cheese because it tastes the best and has a better texture to it. Lots of people have used reduced-fat cream cheese with great results.Â
Granulated Sugar - Some may worry that this will give the pie a grainy texture. I can promise you that it does not. Make sure you blend it well with the cream cheese. If you're still worried about it then go ahead and use powdered sugar in it's place.Â
Cool Whip - This makes the coconut cream pie so easy to make! But yes, read below for ways to substitute it if you prefer not to use this ingredient.Â
TIPS & HELPFUL HINTS
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How long will coconut cream pie last in the fridge?
- This pie will last in the fridge for several days. It does need to be refrigerated for 8 hours, or overnight, before serving. Once served it can stay in the fridge for at least 5 days. I actually think the leftovers get better and better the longer the pie sits in the fridge. I feel like the flavors come together more and the pie gets this really thick texture to it.Â
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What can I use instead of Cool Whip?
- If you don't want to use Cool Whip in this recipe then go ahead and make your own whipped cream and use it in place of the Cool Whip. Add 1 cup heavy whipping cream into a bowl along with 3 tablespoons powdered sugar. Beat it on low speed, increasing speed as needed, until stiff peaks form. This will take about 3-4 minutes.Â
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Can I make coconut cream pie ahead of time?
- Yes! No bake pie recipes are best if you make it the day before. This pie does need to refrigerate for 8 hours, or overnight, before serving. Don't try to rush it or else the pie won't cut as nicely and the flavor won't be as developed.Â
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How do I make toasted coconut?
- This pie is really good with toasted coconut on top of it. To make your own toasted coconut simply put about 1 cup coconut flakes onto a baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 4 minutes. Stir the coconut and bake for 4 more minutes. Stir again. Repeat this process until the coconut is lightly browned and toasted.
YOU WILL LOVE THESE OTHER NO BAKE PIE RECIPES
Banana Cream Pie - No browned bananas in this banana cream pie! Similar to this coconut cream pie but with banana pudding.Â
Black Forest Cheesecake Pie - Oreo cookie crust layered with no bake vanilla cheesecake, no bake chocolate cheesecake, and topped with cherry pie filling.Â
No Bake Snickers Cheesecake Pie - A no bake cheesecake filling loaded with chopped Snickers candy bars.Â
Lemon Pudding Pie - Layers of fresh lemon pudding and freshly whipped cream.Â
White Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie - Really old pictures but this pie is delicious with coconut cream instant pudding and a layer of white chocolate at the bottom of the pie.Â
Pistachio Cheesecake Pie - I love this pistachio pie! No bake cheesecake pie that tastes light and fluffy like a cream pie.Â
Coconut Cream Pie
Ingredients
- 1 ready-to-use graham cracker crust
- 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) coconut cream instant pudding
- 2 cups half & half milk
- 1 bar (8 oz) cream cheese softened
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 1 carton (8 oz) Cool Whip thawed
- toasted coconut for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the dry pudding mix powder with the half & half. Stir with a wire whisk until completely combined and creamy.Let it sit for about 5 minutes so it can thicken up. Evenly spread 1½ cups of the pudding into the prepared pie crust (this is the 1st layer). Set aside the remaining pudding.
- In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar and beat with a handheld mixer until combined. Fold in the Cool Whip and stir, using a spatula, until completely combined.Add half of this mixture to the remaining coconut pudding mix. Stir together until combined and add to the pie crust (as the 2nd layer).
- Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture on top (for the 3rd layer) OR you can save this layer and pipe it on top of the pie (like what I did in the pictures) before you serve it. Cover the pie with the enclosed lid from the graham cracker crust and let it refrigerate for at least 8 hours, but preferably overnight.
- If you saved the 3rd layer pipe that on top of the pie before serving and garnish the pie with toasted coconut.
Toasted Coconut
- Heat oven to 325°. Spread 1 cup of shredded sweetened coconut on a cookie sheet and bake for 4 minutes, stir, and bake for another 4 minutes until the coconut is browned and toasted. You may have to cook it for longer until it reaches a light golden brown color. Watch it carefully as it can burn very quickly.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, in the instructions you mention banana pudding mix but its not in the ingredient list. Coconut cream pudding mix is in the ingredient list. Is there an error? Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Yes, I was confused with the 'coconut' cream pudding as well? Please advise. Thank you!!
It's from Jell-O brand and it's instant pudding in coconut cream flavor.
Yes, but the instructions call for banana pudding, but there's no banana pudding in the ingredients list. Are the ingredients wrong or are the instructions wrong?
Ooops. So sorry, it is supposed to be the coconut cream instant pudding mix NOT banana, lol 🙂 Thank you for letting me know. I will go correct my mistake now.
Could you use regular milk instead of half and half
Yes you can. Just be sure you wait a few minutes so the pudding can get nice and thicken when you mix it with the milk.
so the recipe saying "banana pudding mix" is a typo error .. the correct pudding is "coconut cream pudding" .. right???
Yes you're right. So sorry. I just typed the wrong kind of pudding. It is coconut cream instant pudding mix 🙂
Could I use cook and serve putting mix ? I don’t care for instant . Thank you
No, this recipe was specifically designed for the instant pudding.
There was no instructions on how to make pie crust using vanilla wafers. How many wafers are needed to make crust
This recipe calls for a store-bought ready to use graham cracker crust. If you want to make your own then I would look on Pinterest or google a 'graham cracker crust' recipe. I don't have one here on my blog but I know there are lots out there. I hope that helps.
I found a recipe for a nilla wafer pie crust. It called for 60 nilla wafers, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 stick of butter. Mix together the crushed wafers, sugar and melted butter, press into pie tin (makes 2) Bake at 350 for 10 min and cool completely before filling.
Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this as I know a lot of people have wanted to make a homemade Nilla Wafer crust.
This pie looks delicious. Can this pie be made two days in advance of serving?
Yes you can. I always make no bake pies a day or two in advanced. They're always so much better if they have sat in the fridge for a day or two. Enjoy!
This pie is fabulous! It's the Best no bake coconut pie I've ever eaten, but it's much better to me with 3 good Tblsp. of sugar mixed with the cream cheese rather than 5 or 1/3 cup. It's not as rich and heavy.
This pie is fabulous! It's the Best no bake coconut pie I've ever eaten, but it's much better to me with 3 good Tblsp. of sugar mixed with the cream cheese rather than 5 or 1/3 cup. It's not as rich and heavy.
This is the best pie I have ever made! Easy and delicious!
I actually used banana pudding mix and skipped the coconut. Was so good!
It still says banana pudding mix
Weird! I remember fixing this after someone else mentioned it awhile back. Maybe it did not save or something. I will fix it again and thanks for letting me know. It is supposed to be coconut cream pudding mix 🙂
I haven't made this yet. I gained 5 pounds just reading the recipe! Thanks for having a printable recipe. I don't have the computer in my kitchen so a printed version is much easier to work with.
So glad you love the printing function. I try to make it as easy as possible because I also love to print out recipes. Thanks for your comment and I hope you find some recipes you enjoy.
I hate when folks put a rating when they haven't made the recipe BUT please allow me because this is exactly what l love and have been looking for! THANK YOU kindly! I'm making this within the next few days (don't have coconut pudding on hand) but a thousand thanks ~ stay well!
I made this pie and it was delicious. So easy to make.
I love making this easy pie and everyone loves eating it! We have very few grocery stores where I live so have had to use both cooked coconut pudding or instant vanilla pudding. The coconut pudding has much better flavour, but because it is usually warm, it does deflate the whipped topping somewhat. I have also switched to making my own whipped cream as it is more natural and I can make with less sugar. Great recipe overall.
Delicious!!! This pie was a hit!!! Followed recipe exactly!
I have been looking for a coconut pie recipe ,but couldn't find one i liked until now. Thank you so much ,I plan on making it in the next few days. It looks awesome!!!
Do you think this recipe can be used to make in a springform pan or will the pudding base leak? Thinking about making a ginger snap crust ( I made one before this way using a no bake lemon coconut cheesecake, but there wasn’t a pudding base)
You could try it... The pudding won't leak through the crust. It's a thick pudding mixture that sets up even more in the fridge.
I just know its gonna be good thank you
I made this, the recipe can make 2 pies. Delicious.
That's good to know about the two pies! Thanks for your comment and rating. I appreciate it.
Sorry, but in your ingredients list, it does call for a ready made nilla wafer pie crust. I couldn't find one so I found the recipe to make it.
Yes you can make your own Nilla Wafer crust or use a store-bought graham cracker crust if you can't fine the Nilla Wafer crust.
I’m having trouble finding instant coconut pudding. I’ve even looked on the Kraft website in US and Canada and nothing is listed. Have they stopped making it?
Hello; It caught my attention on Pinterest this cake and it's fine for those who do not have much time or do not know from pastry. But I'm from the ancient ha ha ha that I like to do it from scratch.
It is true, fruit creams from scratch do not know the same as packaging because they put flavorings, sometimes, not very healthy
Trick; Always put concentrated pasta from ...... In this case coconut , in addition to coconut milk and coconut cream.
I am Spanish, I am in Spain and I use the brand "Home Chef" or "Lorrain", both excellent quality.
The Japanese cheesecake is terribly insipid, but with the concentrated cheese pasta is another level.
Take care of yourself, see you here. Kisses
Delicious
I haven’t tried it yet besides licking the spatula! Lol. I know I will like it, anything with cream cheese or coconut I can’t dislike! Only issue I came across was there was so much filling for my pie crust that it was soo tall on top lol. I couldn’t put the top on it.
I followed recipe exactly. Anyone else have this problem?
That can happen for sure, just because of the sizes of the packaged ingredients. What you can do instead is pipe on the 3rd layer along the outside instead of layering it on top.