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Impossible Pie

The original impossible pie, a sweet and creamy coconut dessert pie.
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or scroll for handy tips and a little nostalgia.

impossible pie slice on plate.

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.

impossible pie

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.

impossible pie recipe

Impossible Pie ingredients

To make the Impossible Pie possible, you’ll need:

  • eggs 
  • plain flour (all purpose flour)
  • milk
  • vanilla extract
  • butter
  • desiccated coconut
  • sugar.
impossible pie ingredients

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.

how to make impossible pie
impossible pie method

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.

impossibe pie close up

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 slice on plate.

Impossible Pie

The original impossible pie, a sweet and creamy coconut dessert pie.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Australian
Keyword: impossible pie
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 240kcal

Equipment

  • pie dish (approx 24 cm)

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 1/2 cup plain flour (sifted)
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 125 grams butter (melted)
  • 3/4 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.

Notes

TIPS:
The uncooked pie 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.
FAQs:
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!
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.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 106mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg
Recipe Rating




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Michelle ayers

Monday 20th of February 2023

Can we substitute plain flour for GF plain flour? Thanks.

Libby Hakim

Tuesday 21st of February 2023

Hi Michelle! You could try though I haven't tested it myself with GF flour. Let me know how you go :)

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