Martha Stewart’s Coconut Cream Pie Recipe Is Actually One of Her Favorites and It’ll Probably Become One of Yours Too

Any way you slice it, Martha Stewart is a well-known master of pie-making. And just in time for holiday feast menu planning, her December 4 recipe tutorial on the Martha Stewart Youtube channel dives into making a coconut cream pie — what she calls “an old-fashioned deep pie, which is very satisfying and delicious.”  

Beginning with a premade disk of her pate brisse (the French version of classic pie pastry), she takes the guesswork out of a flaky crust with tricks only Martha can deliver: blind baking with dried beans and crumpled parchment paper, wrapping the dough around the rolling pin for “fool-proof” counter-to-pie-plate transfer, and finishing off with a pretty spoon-handle fluted edge. 

The decadent custard is made from a concoction of egg yolks, whole milk, shredded coconut, and coconut milk brought to a simmer and whisked to perfection. It’s then placed into the fridge until set (party planners, take note: This make-ahead custard can be chilled for up to two days). 

Martha cautions that you have to be patient with this filling, keeping your eyes on the prize (or pie, in this case). “Custard like this requires slow cooking and gentle heat in order to prevent separation or curdling,” she explains.

Once the crust is filled with the custard, she tops off her masterpiece confection with homemade whipped cream and browned toasted coconut flakes. And, according to Martha, just a dollop won’t do. “I like to make sure I cover the entire custard,” says the baking maven.

Want to skip the crust? The coconut custard can also be a favorite standalone treat. “Just put this into custard cups and feed it to the kids as coconut pudding,” she says. Or, if that’s not their style, you can always ply the little ones this holiday with more portable treats like Martha’s giant oatmeal cookies. 

If your holiday is a little too hectic, you can also delight your guests with Martha’s slow cooker cheesecake — a three-hour, fix-it-and-forget-it delight — and keep the coconut cream pie for yourself. We won’t tell. 

Watch the full coconut cream pie video below and get the recipe here.