IMPOSSIBLE PIE – Old Fashioned Recipe
Impossible pie is an old fashioned recipe that may even come from the Amish. I got this recipe from an old Mennonite cookbook that has been in my family for at least 40 years. This is a creamy coconut pie kind of like a custard. We like it because it is different from most pies and so quick and easy to make. No pie crust needed, it makes its own!
Impossible pie ingredients you will need:
Eggs
White granulated sugar
Butter
Vanilla extract
Ground nutmeg
All-purpose flour
Milk
Coconut
I do use less sugar and butter in my recipe than the original and we love it this way. You can top this delicious dessert with ice cream or whipped topping. It reheats well to and just a nice simple coconut custard style pie. This pie will rise during baking and fall once removed from the oven so don’t be alarmed if that happens.
This pie is so unique because it makes it’s own crust! It so simple to make and one you can easily throw together quickly. If you have followed out site for any amount of time you know that we love impossible pies and have quite a few. If you love this one you will definitely want to check out our Impossible Banana Cream Pie, Impossible Apple Pie and our Impossible Pumpkin Pie.
Many people remember this recipe from the Bisquick box and it’s definitely been around a long time! These style recipes are what my family loves, the ones that have been around a long time and have stood the test of time.
Why to try this super easy pie?
- This pie is perfect for any holiday from Christmas to the 4th of July. Since it’s so easy to make you can make it in advance.
- It’s also a great addition to any potluck or church function. You can switch it up and make a few different versions (see links above) and you don’t need a crust! Super handy!
- You can easily add different spices to make this pie suit your liking. Very versatile and don’t be scared to experiment with this one.
- This a great pie to start with if you are new to baking, you combine all the ingredients and add it to a pan! Simple!
“Thank you for posting this recipe. I learned about Impossible Coconut Cream Pie in home economics. As a teenager, this was my go-to dessert and my family enjoyed it as much as I did. Have always LOVED coconut and making it for my God daughters wedding shower brought back wonderful memories of home and family.” – Sandy
“It’s my first time making any “impossible” recipe and it really does make it’s own crust!” – Carrie
“I have made all three of the impossible pies on your website and now you have an apple one! Oh my.. I am adding it to my list. Thank you so much for posting such wonderful recipes, you have made me a cook.” – Jessica
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Impossible Pie
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 stick butter or 4 tablespoons softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Cream eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla with mixer.
- Add nutmeg, flour and milk and continue mixing until all ingredients are wet. Stir in coconut with a spoon.
- Spray a 10 inch deep dish pie plate with cooking spray and pour in pie ingredients. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 55 to 60 minutes until brown on top.
Notes
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My dear friend used to make this and gave me her Moms recipe (which is now lost) but I recall she used white cornmeal. Does anyone know of this recipe…would love to find it and make.
Can you make individual impossible pies if so what temp. and how long?
I have never tried that, so there is no way for me to say.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! My husband gave it high praises and suggested I make it for our next church potluck.
My deep dish pie pan is only 9″ so I made 3/4 of a recipe and that worked well.
This being my first impossible pie, I wasn’t sure what to expect the crust texture to be like. It was soft and moist even though lightly browned. Reminded us of the bottom of a Dutch baby oven pancake, both in texture and in flavor. Is that how it is when properly done? Regardless, we enjoyed it! Thx again!
Awesome!
I replace the milk with Ricotta Cheese.
I have made recipes similar to this in the past that call for all ingredients to be added to the blender. This is so much better made with the mixer! I’ll use this method again!
I have made this many times with coconut,just egg custard I sprinkle cinnamon on top it’s the best
Does it freeze well?
Ive never tried freezing but see now reason why it would be an issue.
Delicious! Would this work with gluten free flour? Else we can’t eat it! Thanks!
You can always try it, I don’t see why it wouldnt work, if its a flour that works well as a substitute.
I have made this coconut and also the pumpkin both were amazing Can I double the coconut and make it in a glass 9×13 dish ? Making for a crowd Thx so much
I think you probably could, you may have adjust the cooking time. Glad you enjoyed the pies!
Thank you for posting this amazing recipe. It is out of this world DELICIOUS!!!
Back when I was younger I recall eating a impossible pineapple coconut pie. Was wondering if you might have a recipe for this pie?
love this pie reminds me of my Grammy…I wish there was a recipe for it like apple pie?
There is, you can find the recipe easily by using our search box. Here is the link: https://thesouthernladycooks.com/impossible-apple-pie/
Pie looks really good I’m going to try it.
Beautiful pie, looked exactly like the photo.
I was leery of baking this since all the other recipes called for either baking mix or baking soda and baking powder plus AP flour.
I took a chance and subbed Gold Medal self rising flour for the AP.
Hubby is head over heels for coconut pie. I didn’t feel like doing a crust or making a custard.
Oh my goodness, what a pretty pie.
It was my dessert reward to him for having leftover chicken/gravy/mashed taters and corn the second night in a row.
I have been making this pie for years. I use the same ingredients, but I put everything but the coconut in my blender and blend on high for about 30 seconds. Then I stir in the coconut and pour into my dish and bake. Easy peasy and turns out great!
Hi,
I wanted to tell you that I substituted flour with whole wheat flour.
I substituted butter with coconut oil. I used non- fat milk and I submitted sugar with maple syrup. And guess what? It came out great!
Now my 3 yr. old daughter can eat it!
My husband and sat there for 55 minutes and watched evolve. ( We
have no life lol. We love it! Thanks,
Joanne
I usually only have skim milk on hand. Would that be okay for this recipe? Thank you.
I would think it would work fine. Thanks!
I was looking for a Coconut Custard Pie and when I saw this recipe and read the comments.
Yes, this is the one! I am so glad I did make this pie, very, very, very tasty and easy to make.
One question, could you provide the nutrition breakdown of this pie?
Always like to keep an eye on those calories.
Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
So glad it was a hit! We don’t provide nutritional information, you are welcome to plug any of our recipes into any online nutritional calculator to find that information. Thanks!
I made this but the crust was all soggy !!!!!!!!!!! What did I do wrong???????
Sounds like you didnt cook it long enough.
Fantastic and even better the next day! Cannot go wrong with this easy delight!
I grew up on my mother’s rendition of this pie and will always love it…not only for its simplicity but its delicability. One simply cannot go wrong with this “Impossible Pie,” which gets it name from the following: how can something so easy to make be so outstandingly delicious? “That’s impossible.” Enjoy and you surely will delight your friends and family!
Can this recipe be made using Almond Milk?
I would have no idea, I’ve never made it with almond milk. Good luck!
Yes, I use vanilla almond milk to make mine and it turns out great!
I made this recipe a few days ago, and hubby liked it so well that he asked for a repeat. I assured him that wasn’t a problem till I realized I didn’t have more coconut. I did discover some raisins in the pantry, so instead of 1 cup of coconut, I used 1 cup raisins. (I did plump them in some warm water.) They did just stay in a layer on top of the crust instead of coming to the top, but the pie was really good! So now I have 2 new recipes!
This looks wonderful! I would imagine that it would work well in a small springform pan when baked, what do you think?
I have never tried it but see no reason why it wouldn’t work.
If I use pre-sweetened coconut, would I omit the sugar?
It should be fine the with the sugar but of course you can omit if you like. It’s your preference. Thanks!
My coconut is unsweetened. Would it work or should I toss it with a little sugar before adding?
You can use unsweetened, it will be fine the way the recipe is written. Of course you can always add more sugar if you like.
Can it be frozen for later?
Helen
I’ve never tried it, but it probably would work fine.
I forgot the butter…is my pie ruined?
I hope not, Pat, but I cannot advise you since I have never left the butter out.
I got this recipe 40 years ago. Since I was working full time with 4 teens and a hubby to feed, I was always looking for recipes that were easy and fast and delicious and this one fit the bill. Just want all of you to know if you don’t have coconut or don’t like it you can leave it out and you have an egg custard pie. It is also just as delicious.
I’ve made it with Bisquik but can’t find my recipe that I got from my cousins mother in law who is Amish!
Hello!
Thank you for posting this recipe.
I learned about Impossible Coconut Cream Pie in home economics. As a teenager, this was my go-to dessert and my family enjoyed it as much as I did.
Have always LOVED coconut and making it for my God daughters wedding shower brought back wonderful memories of home and family.
Blessings,
Sandy
That is just wonderful!!
Is there no crust to this pie? Or did I miss it?
Hi, if you read the beginning of this entry it explains that this is an Impossible pie and doesn’t need a crust, as it makes its own. 🙂
I am allergic to coconut; what can I use in place of it in the Impossible pie? Thank you,
Marilyn
One person in this thread used raisins and said it worked well. I would try macadamia nuts… keeps the tropical theme and the gentle crunch with supernatural flavor. Just a thought…
I made it with well desined crushed pineapple. Amazing. Didn’t do anything different hust added the pineappke.
I tried this recipe only thing is I had to bake it a little while longer because the 60 minutes wasn’t enough it still wasn’t done all the way
Ovens vary and this recipe works great for me with the temperature posted. You might check your oven temperature. Hope you enjoyed the pie.
What’s the name of the cook book?
reminds me of the chess pie my mom used to make
I loved it. Baked as recipe indicated with no tweaks. Am making tonight again for family, but used one cup sugar and one cup flour this go around (because they will want it sweeter and I’m curious what the extra flour will do). This posted recipe was perfect for me, I ate half at one sitting :/ would be great with a little sweetened whopped cream I think. But I love homey tastes and my family goes for super sweet. Hence, the teeaks. Thank you for posting.
You’re very welcome Rhonda! I’m so glad you and your family are enjoying this recipe. We love it too 🙂
I Have been looking for this for a long time we used to make this when I was a kid and I loved it it was devoured every time my mom made it so now I can make it with my son thanks for sharing this
Wonderful! So glad you found it!
Very very easy to make!!! And I had everything in my pantry 🙂
Wonderful!
i just love all your recipes they are wonderful thank you so much for shareing
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Sally. So happy you are enjoying the recipes and thank you for letting us know. Have a great week ahead and a Happy Thanksgiving.
Can you use something beside coconut. I really don’t like coconut, but I love custard pies.
I have not tried leaving the coconut out or substituting in this recipe, Edna. Here is an easy custard pie with no coconut you might like. https://thesouthernladycooks.com/2014/05/07/easy-peasy-custard-pie/
I have had a recipe for Impossible Pie for many years. Unaware it was an Amish Pie. I will give this slightly different version a try.. Looks very good. thank you. Sue
I hope you enjoy it!
The pie looks so yummy. I think the name is also quite interesting… impossible pie. haha! Will try it soon.