This sweet Impossible Pie Recipe delivers a coconut custard pie that will have people exclaiming "but that's impossible" when you tell them how you made it.
You can see three distinct layers in the pie, right?
A pastry-like base.
A custard filling centre.
A crunchy top.
And what if I told you this pie was made in 5 minutes, by just mixing some common ingredients together in a bowl and pouring it into a pie dish, before baking?
It sounds impossible, but Impossible Pie is an amazing three-layered dessert that you really can whip up in a jiffy!
The Recipe for Impossible Pie
A little research around the web tells me this recipe was first recorded in the US in the late 1960s before becoming popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
It was also called "mystery pie" and "coconut amazing pie", but it was the Impossible Pie name that stuck.
And that's the name I came across in an old Women's Weekly cookbook and a community cookbook from my Mum's collection.
Ingredients for Impossible Pie
To make the Impossible Pie possible, you'll need:
- eggs
- plain flour (all purpose flour)
- milk
- vanilla extract
- butter
- desiccated coconut
- sugar.
The ingredient measurements can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
TIP: A reader has made this with success using coconut milk and gluten-free plain flour for a dairy-free and gluten-free version of this pie.
And dare I say that it's quite possible you have all of these ingredients on hand?
For ingredient quantities, keep scrolling to reach the recipe card at the end of this post.
You'll also need a pie dish of about 24 cm in diameter.
How to make Impossible Pie
Start by greasing the pie dish and pre-heating your oven to moderate (180 degrees celsius, fan-forced).
Lightly beat the eggs, melt the butter and sift the flour.
We're almost there!
Now, mix all the ingredients together until combined.
Pour into the greased pie dish and bake for 45 minutes.
The mixture will be very runny.
Don't panic, remember this pie seems impossible but it all works out.
The mixture will somehow separate as it's cooking to form a pastry bottom, a custard filling and a crunchy top.
This pie can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Serve hot with ice cream or cold with cream and fruit.
Recipe FAQs
Q. Why is it called Impossible Pie?
Person 1: This lovely layered pie took 5 minutes to make.
Person 2: But it's a three-layered pie with pastry, a custard filling and a crunchy top. That's impossible!
Person 1: It's true but it is impossible, Impossible Pie!
Q. Can you freeze Impossible Pie?
You can freeze this pie for up to three months. But it's so lovely made fresh, so make it up to eat straight away if possible.
Impossible Pie
Equipment
- pie dish (approx 24 cm)
Ingredients
- 4 eggs (lightly beaten)
- ½ cup plain flour (sifted)
- 2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 125 grams butter (melted)
- ¾ cup desiccated coconut
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Grease the pie dish and pre-heat oven to moderate (180 degrees celsius, fan-forced).
- Mix all ingredients together until combined.
- Pour into pie dish and bake for 45 minutes.
- Serve hot or cold.
Anonymous
I LOVE IMPOSSIBLE PIE
Grace
If I use almond flour instead of plain flour, would it turn out the same?
Thank you.
Libby Hakim
Hi Grace. I haven't tested this recipe with almond flour, sorry, but you could always give it a go! Happy cooking 🙂
Danell Maconachie
that's a really good question! I love replacing flour with almond meal 😁 I suspect you wouldn't get as good a pastry base with almond though...
margaret connell
Hi Libby Can you add lemon juice to this recipe. if so, should I recalculate the amount in the other ingredients? Thanks
Libby Hakim
Hi Margaret. Not sure about that one, sorry. I'd be more inclined to add a little lemon zest if I wanted to add a lemon flavour. The juice might affect the way the other ingredients work together. Good luck!
Lynn
Have friends who can’t eat dairy or gluten so made w a can of coconut milk and gluten free plain flour - came out great
Libby Hakim
Awesome! So pleased to hear that, Lynn. I'll add this to the post as a variation idea for others who might want to go for that option. Thanks! Libby
Michelle ayers
Can we substitute plain flour for GF plain flour? Thanks.
Libby Hakim
Hi Michelle! You could try though I haven't tested it myself with GF flour. Let me know how you go 🙂