Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (2024)

Impossible Pie is the easiest pie you will ever bake! It magically forms its own crust plus two delicious layers while baking.

Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (1)

This vintage pie has been around for a long time and I can see why. It’s easy to make and is scrumptious to eat!

Why is it called Impossible Pie? I think it has something to do with the fact that it bakes its own crust. All the ingredients are dumped into the pie plate and you let your oven work its magic to do the “impossible.” It comes out with three delicious layers!

The filling is an egg custard that’s creamy and smooth. The topping is a crunchy layer of coconut shreds. It looks a lot like my Coconut Pie, another of my easy pie recipes.

Grandma’s everywhere have recipes like this one. It’s easy to see why it’s stood the test of time. Did your grandma make Impossible Pie, too?

Make it for a scrumptious dessert to enjoy after a hearty meal. If you are looking for a recipe for a bake sale, it’s also a yummy one to do.

If you google Impossible Pie, you’ll see a bunch of different ways to make it. I’ve seen it made with lemon and Bisquick. Someone wrote that the recipe was on the back of the Bisquick boxes in the 1970s. Interesting!

Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (2)

Why You’ll Love Impossible Pie

  • It’s a very easy recipe. Just combine the ingredients, pour into a pie dish, and let the oven do all the work.
  • The flavors are easily adaptable by adding simple ingredients, swapping out the extract, or adding spices.
  • It’s the perfect pie for holidays but is easy enough to make anytime you have a craving for something sweet. The whole family will love it.
  • Amazing recipe for bake sales or church potlucks.
  • You probably have all the basic ingredients you need for it in your pantry right now!

Ingredients

  • Butter: I typically use unsalted butter in baked goods, but salted butter works out fine in most cases. Did you know that salt brings out sweet flavors? Culinary Lore explains how this works. However, if you’re watching your sodium, use unsalted butter. Remember to let it soften to room temperature before combining with the remaining ingredients.
  • Flour: I used all-purpose flour, but you may use cake flour if you prefer. For cake flour, you’ll need an additional 2 tablespoons of flour. It will sink to the bottom during the baking process to make the scrumptious crust.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pie just the right amount. Substitute the granulated sugar with brown sugar to give the pie more of a molasses or butterscotch flavor.
  • Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract is preferable, but imitation vanilla works in a pinch. Alternatively, you can use paste or fresh vanilla bean to add flavor.
  • Eggs: Use large eggs. Since this pie is a sort of custard pie, eggs are an essential ingredient!
  • Milk: Any type of milk works (low fat, skim, etc.), but whole milk yields the richest flavor.
  • Shredded Coconut: You can use sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut. Sweetened coconut will make a much sweeter pie (which I prefer), while unsweetened coconut is a nice balance with the other ingredients.
Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (3)

How to Make This Impossible Pie Recipe

Ready to make some Impossible Coconut Pie? Roll up your sleeves and let’s get started. You’ll see just how easy (and delicious!) it is for yourself.

  • Step One: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, add the butter, flour, cup of sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, milk and shredded coconut to a large bowl. Beat together until the mixture is combined.
  • Step Two: Pour custard filling into a greased 9″ pie pan. Bake for 1 hour at 350°F until the center is firm and the pie is golden brown.
  • Step Three: Cool this magical pie on a cooling rack and then let it chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it. I recommend waiting for a few hours to make sure the pie has completely firmed up.

See how simple it is? Make this delicious recipe once and you’ll always remember how to make it. This is a timeless dessert that you’ll serve again and again.

Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (4)

Here a few helpful kitchen tools you’ll need to have on hand to make this recipe.

This post contains affiliate links.

What to Serve with Impossible Pie

I like to serve mine with a little bit of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Add toasted coconut flakes, caramel sauce, or shaved chocolate for an extra decadent version. Of course, coffee and dessert is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (5)

Impossible Pie Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Put a baking sheet under your pie plate in case the mixture bubbles over while baking.
  • If you don’t have coconut, you can simply leave it out and enjoy an egg custard pie instead or try one of the variations below.
  • Dust a little powdered sugar over the top for added sweetness and a pretty presentation if you’re making this without the coconut.
  • Refrigerate overnight for richer flavor! It tastes even better the next day.
  • Use a deep dish pie plate for best results.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Add raisins. One commenter mentioned that her husband enjoyed a raisin pie that made its own crust, and the sweetness of the raisins would go perfectly with the other ingredients.
  • Incorporate warming spices. Cinnamon, ground nutmeg, or even apple pie spice or pumpkin spice can be added to this scrumptious pie for extra flavor.
  • Make Chocolate Impossible Pie. Add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder to this recipe to make a pie that any chocolate fan would love. Mix in a couple tablespoons of peanut butter to turn it into Chocolate Peanut Butter Impossible Pie.
  • Use buttermilk. You may have heard of Buttermilk Impossible Pie, as buttermilk desserts are quite popular in old-fashioned cookbooks. This could be a tasty option if you like pies with a little tang.
Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (6)

Storage Instructions

Since this pie is made with dairy and eggs to make a custard, it should be kept refrigerated. It’ll be good in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure you wrap the pie pan tightly with plastic wrap or store leftovers in an airtight container.

Can I Freeze Impossible Pie?

Since you may need your pie pan for other recipes, I recommend flash freezing the pie in the pan for an hour or two before wrapping individual slices in plastic wrap and storing them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

FAQ

What is Impossible Pie?

It’s an impossibly easy pie! Seriously, all you have to do is beat all the ingredients together, pour into a greased pie pan, and let it bake. It’ll form its own pie crust as well as a custard layer during the baking process.

What does Impossible Pie taste like?

It tastes like coconut custard, but you can easily adapt the flavor to your tastes. Impossible Lemon Pie is a yummy variation.

Can I omit the coconut?

Yes, if you don’t like coconut or have an allergy to it, you can leave it out to make a delicious egg custard pie.

More Vintage Pie Recipes

I love my old fashioned recipes and vintage desserts! I have a vintage cookbook you can snag at the bottom of this post. Just fill out the form to get it delivered to your inbox. In the meantime, check out these yummy pies.

  • Marshmallow Pie: Creamy and sweet. This rich no-bake pie is like heaven on earth.
  • Strawberry Cream Pie: Tastes like a dream. This easy summer pie is creamy, sweet and refreshing.
  • Pineapple Pie: Creamy, smooth and tropical. This pie is easy to prepare and guaranteed to be loved by all.
  • Oatmeal Pie: An old fashioned dessert just like Grandma used to make! Yes, I love my grandma’s recipes.
  • Shoofly Pie: A popular Pennsylvania Dutch pie recipe from the 1800s. It has nothing to do with bugs!
  • Millionaire Pie: Also known as Furr’s Cafeteria Pineapple Millionaire Pie. This easy vintage recipe takes minutes to prepare. Sweet and rich, it tastes like a million bucks!

You’ll also like Lemon Impossible Pie, Sugar Pie, Chess Pie and Fudge Pie.

Follow me on Instagram@simplystacieblog, Facebook atSimply Stacie, TikTok@simplystacierecipesor Pinterest at@simplystacieand let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (7)

Rate this Recipe

4.43 from 439 votes

Impossible Pie

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Servings 8

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

The easiest pie you will ever bake! It magically forms its own crust plus two delicious layers while baking.

Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • ½ cup salted butter softened
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup shredded sweeteened coconut

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • Add all ingredients to a large bowl and beat together until combined.

  • Pour into a 9-inch greased pie pan. Bake for 1 hour or until centre is firm and pie is golden.

  • Cool on a cooling rack and then put in the fridge until ready to serve. I recommend waiting a few hours so the pie has a chance to firm up.

Video

Notes

Reader tip: Mix the butter, sugar, flour and vanilla together first. Then add the eggs and milk. This is helpful to prevent clumping.

Place a baking sheet under the pie in case it runs over the top while baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 186mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course Desserts

Cuisine American

Keyword impossible pie, pie, vintage desserts

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Impossible Pie Recipe {The Best Old-Fashioned Pie!} - Simply Stacie (2024)

FAQs

What is impossible pie made of? ›

"Really easy and tasty dessert. The flour sinks to form a crust, the middle is a custard and the top is coconut. Serve chilled with a dollop of Cool Whip."

What are the 5 tips for pie perfection? ›

Follow these steps and you'll impress your friends and family this season with tantalizing mile-high pies!
  1. 1 - Cold dough equals flaky crust. ...
  2. 2 - Overfill your pies on purpose ... ...
  3. 3 - Bake on the low rack. ...
  4. 4 - Hold down your pre-baked crusts. ...
  5. 5 - Hold off on slicing your pie.
Oct 30, 2017

How long should you let apple pie cool? ›

Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown. Cover edge of crust with 2- to 3-inch wide strips of foil after first 15 to 20 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Cool on cooling rack at least 2 hours before serving.

How do you cool a pumpkin pie? ›

The pie will look a little puffed when it comes out of the oven, but it will settle as it cools. Cool the pie on a rack (leave it on the baking sheet) to room temperature, a few hours. Slice or refrigerate until ready to serve.

What is a million dollar pie made of? ›

Million dollar pie is a classic icebox pie made with pecans, coconut, and pineapple in a whipped cream filling spread over a crumbly graham cracker crust. Put it all together and it's rich, creamy, tangy, and nutty.

What is Millionaire Pie made of? ›

Millionaire pie is a no-bake pie consisting of a rich base of sweetened condensed milk, Cool Whip, and cream cheese that's combined with crushed pineapple and pecans. The filling is then poured into a graham cracker crust and chilled in the refrigerator until set.

Should I chill my pie before baking? ›

Some recipes will instruct you to bake it right away. But I like to freeze the crust before pre baking. The chilling time allows the gluten in the dough to relax and prevent shrinking when baking. So I recommend freezing the pie crust for at least 1 hour before pre baking.

Should you cover a pie while baking? ›

Reducing the oven temperature after about 15 minutes allows the pie to bake fully without danger of burning. However, if the edge of the crust looks like it's browning too quickly towards the end of the bake, cover it with a pie shield or strips of aluminum foil.

What rack in the oven do you bake a pie on? ›

A pie's place in the oven is on the bottom rack. The worst mistake you can make with your pie is under-baking the bottom crust—it makes for a soggy, doughy mess. Baking your pie on the bottom rack will ensure that bottom crust gets nice and golden brown. Speaking of which: bake your pie in a glass pie dish.

Should I Prebake the bottom crust for apple pie? ›

You do not need to pre-bake a pie crust for an apple pie or any baked fruit pie really, but we do freeze the dough to help it stay put. Pre-baking the pie crust is only required when making a custard pie OR when making a fresh fruit pie.

Can I leave a pie out overnight to cool? ›

If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.

Why is my pumpkin pie wet on top after cooling? ›

The most common cause of a watery pumpkin pie is over baking. Take it out of the oven while the centre of it is still soft and jiggly. It'll finish setting as it cools. But there are other possible reasons, such as, using fresh instead of canned pumpkin.

Why are store bought pumpkin pie not refrigerated? ›

Why Are Store-Bought Pies Not Refrigerated? So that brings many of us to the question: Why are the pumpkin pies at the grocery store sitting out? Store-bought pumpkin pies include shelf-stable ingredients such as preservatives which allow them to last longer, even at room temp.

Why did my pumpkin pie crack while cooling? ›

The reason for this is that it is a sugar pie base - a flour set custard rather than an egg set custard. The reason pies crack is often due to the eggs in the pumpkin pie recipe - if they get over baked, the protein in them tightens up, and as it cools, it causes cracks in the pumpkin pie.

Why is there gelatin in pork pies? ›

While you can make a pork pie without the jelly, traditional pork pies have gelatin (some boiled pig trotters) added to preserve and keep the meat moist. You will often see a small hole in the lid of the pie where the jelly has been poured in.

Is pork pie cured meat? ›

Traditional pies use a mix of fat and cured meat, giving the filling a pink colour. They are often produced in moulds or forms, giving the outside of the pie a very regular shape. This method is simpler and cheaper for volume production, and hence the more common choice for commercial manufacturers.

Are meat pies real? ›

A meat pie is a pie with a filling of meat and often with other savory ingredients. They are found in cuisines worldwide. Meat pies are usually baked, fried, or deep fried to brown them and develop the flavour through the Maillard reaction.

Do meat pies have pork? ›

The meats allowed by FSANZ to make up at least 25% of a meat pie are beef, buffalo, camel, deer, goat, hare, pig, poultry, rabbit and sheep. Kangaroo meat, a leaner alternative, is also sometimes used.

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