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National Coconut Cream Pie Day

Food · May 8

Coconut cream pie: a crisp crust, a cool coconut custard filling and a tall layer of whipped cream or meringue, often topped with toasted coconut.

National Coconut Cream Pie Day falls on Saturday, May 8, 2027. That is 193 days away.

Coconut cream pie starts with a baked crust, usually pastry or graham cracker. The filling is a stovetop custard made with milk or coconut milk, sugar, eggs and shredded coconut, cooked until thick and then chilled until it sets.

The top is where bakers split into camps. Some pile on whipped cream. Others prefer meringue, browned in the oven until the peaks turn golden. Either way, a scattering of toasted coconut usually finishes it, adding a little crunch and a nutty smell that the soft filling cannot supply on its own.

A good slice holds its shape when cut, with clean layers you can see from the side. The custard should be smooth and cold, the crust firm enough to survive a fork. It shows up in diner pie cases and at family gatherings, and plenty of people know it as the pie someone in the family always brings.

Making one at home takes patience more than skill. The custard needs steady stirring so it does not scorch, and it has to cook fully so the eggs thicken it properly. Then comes the hard part, which is waiting several hours in the fridge before cutting. Because it is a dairy and egg pie, it belongs in the refrigerator rather than on the counter, and leftovers should go back in soon after serving.

Toasting the coconut yourself takes only a few minutes in a dry pan or the oven, but it browns fast, so it is best watched closely and pulled once it turns light gold.

Ways to celebrate

• Bake a coconut cream pie and let it chill fully before slicing.
• Toast shredded coconut in a dry pan for a crunchy topping.
• Order a slice at a local diner and compare crusts.
• Try both whipped cream and meringue tops to pick a favorite.
• Share a family coconut cream pie recipe with a friend.

Dates

All national days on May 8

Also on May 8

• Victory in Europe Day
• National Give Someone a Cupcake Day
• No Socks Day
• National Train Day
• National Windmill Day

Categories: Food days