The Dreamiest Hawaiian Haupia Pie Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Haupia pie stands as a delectable tropical treasure that whispers sweet stories of hawaiian culinary traditions.

Soft, creamy layers promise a delightful sensory journey through rich coconut landscapes.

Silky textures and subtle tropical notes dance across eager taste buds with remarkable grace.

Coconut cream elevates ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary experiences that tantalize and surprise.

Light, refreshing ingredients blend harmoniously, creating a sophisticated yet approachable treat for every palate.

The dessert represents more than just a recipe—it embodies cultural connection and gastronomic artistry.

Subtle nuances of island-inspired flavors weave complex emotional memories into each delectable bite.

Haupia Pie With a Tropical Twist

• Crunch and Melt Magic: The macadamia nut crust delivers a rich, buttery crunch that perfectly contrasts with the silky smooth coconut filling, creating a delightful texture explosion in every bite.
• Tropical Flavor Explosion: Blending coconut cream, extract, and toasted coconut shavings transforms this pie into a Hawaiian-inspired dessert that transports you to a beachy paradise with its intense, creamy coconut profile.
• Quick and Elegant Dessert: This pie comes together surprisingly easily, taking just over an hour to prepare, making it an impressive yet simple dessert for dinner parties, potlucks, or special weekend treats that looks like it took hours to make.
• Chocolate Surprise Layer: The unexpected chocolate layer adds depth and richness, creating a beautiful two-tone effect that elevates the traditional haupia pie from classic to conversation-starting dessert.

What Makes Haupia Pie So Refreshing

• Macadamia Nuts: Rich, buttery nuts that provide a delicate crunch and unique flavor to the crust.
• Cold Butter: Ensures flaky texture and helps create layers in the pie crust.
• Flour: Provides structure and binding for the crust.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the ingredients without warming the dough.

• Coconut Cream: Delivers intense coconut flavor and creamy texture.
• Milk: Adds smoothness and helps create a silky filling.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and balances other flavors.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent for the filling.
• Water: Used to create a slurry with cornstarch for smooth thickening.
• Coconut Extract: Enhances the coconut flavor profile.
• Chocolate: Adds a rich, dark layer to the filling for visual and taste contrast.

• Heavy Cream: Creates light, fluffy whipped topping with rich texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream.
• Coconut Shavings: Provides a crunchy, toasted garnish with tropical flavor.

Follow These Steps for Silky Haupia Pie

Step 1: Prepare Nutty Crust

• Cold cubed butter
• Flour

Pulse the mixture until combined. Gradually introduce ice water until the dough becomes crumbly. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 20-60 minutes. Roll out the dough and gently place into an 8-inch pie dish. Bake at 350 Fahrenheit for approximately 15 minutes. Let the crust cool completely.

Step 2: Create Creamy Coconut Filling

• Coconut cream
• Milk
• Sugar

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add coconut extract and the cornstarch slurry. Cook until the filling thickens and becomes smooth. Divide the filling in half. Pour the first half into the prepared crust. Mix chocolate into the remaining filling and carefully layer on top. Use a spatula to create an even surface.

Step 3: Add Dreamy Topping

Whip heavy cream with sugar until stiff peaks form. Toast coconut shavings in the oven at 350 Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Allow the pie to cool completely. Generously spread whipped cream over the top and sprinkle with toasted coconut shavings. Chill before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Haupia Pie Tips That Keep It Smooth and Sweet

• Crush Nuts Perfectly: Use a food processor and pulse macadamia nuts in short bursts to avoid turning them into butter, ensuring a fine, even texture for the crust.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Rest the pie crust in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to prevent shrinking and help maintain its shape during baking.
• Prevent Lumpy Filling: Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly and add gradually to the coconut mixture, stirring constantly to avoid clumps and achieve a smooth, silky consistency.
• Layer Chocolate Carefully: Pour the chocolate-infused layer gently over the white coconut layer, using a spatula to create clean, distinct layers without mixing.
• Toasting Coconut Pro Tip: Watch coconut shavings closely while toasting, as they can burn quickly; stir occasionally and remove from oven when golden brown for the best flavor and crunch.

Best Storage Tips for Haupia Pie That Lasts

• Refrigerate: Carefully cover the haupia pie with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Preserve Texture: Keep the whipped cream topping separate from the pie when storing. Add fresh whipped cream just before serving to prevent soggy texture and maintain the cream's light, airy consistency.
• Gentle Reheating: Warm individual slices briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds at 50% power. Avoid overheating to prevent the chocolate layer from separating or the crust from becoming tough.

Serve Haupia Pie With These Island-Inspired Pairings

• Pair with Tropical Cocktail Bliss: Sip on a refreshing Mai Tai or Piña Colada that echoes the coconut notes in the haupia pie, creating a Hawaiian-inspired dessert experience that transports you to a beachside paradise.
• Match with Smooth Coffee Companions: Choose a rich Hawaiian Kona coffee or a creamy latte to complement the pie's chocolate and coconut layers, balancing the sweetness with a warm, robust beverage.
• Elevate with Nutty Liqueur Embrace: Drizzle Frangelico or Amaretto around the plate, enhancing the macadamia nut crust and adding a sophisticated liqueur undertone that deepens the dessert's complex flavors.
• Serve Alongside Fruity Sorbet: Add a scoop of mango or passion fruit sorbet to cut through the pie's richness, creating a bright, refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate between bites.

Variations That Give Haupia Pie a Personal Spin

• Tropical Chocolate Macadamia Delight: Swap half the coconut cream with dark chocolate ganache for a richer, more decadent pie experience. Sprinkle roasted macadamia pieces between layers for added crunch.
• Passion Fruit Paradise Pie: Replace chocolate layer with tangy passion fruit curd, creating a bright, zesty contrast to the creamy coconut base. Garnish with fresh passion fruit seeds for extra tropical flair.
• Mango Coconut Dream: Incorporate puréed ripe mangoes into the coconut filling, adding a golden swirl of tropical sweetness. Top with caramelized mango chunks instead of toasted coconut for a vibrant presentation.
• Spiced Rum Hawaiian Fusion: Infuse the filling with a splash of dark rum and ground cinnamon. Fold in toasted macadamia nuts directly into the filling for a warm, boozy Hawaiian-inspired dessert.

Haupia Pie Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Hawaiian haupia pie marries silky coconut custard with a buttery graham cracker crust, creating a tropical dessert paradise. Creamy layers of traditional Hawaiian sweetness invite paradise seekers to savor each luxurious, cool bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

Flour

• 1.25 cups flour (standard) or 1.5 cups flour (American)
• ½ cup macadamia pieces
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 can coconut cream (13.5–15 ounces)
• 1 cup whole milk

Binding and Thickening Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup cold and cubed butter

Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:

• 3–5 tablespoons ice water
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼–½ cup toasted coconut shavings

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crush macadamia nuts in a food processor until they reach a fine, sandy consistency.
2. Add chilled butter cubes and flour to the nut mixture, pulsing until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Drizzle ice water into the processor, continuing to pulse until the dough just begins to come together.
4. Shape the dough into a compact disk, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to firm up.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F and roll out the chilled dough into a thin, even layer.
6. Carefully transfer the dough to an 8-inch pie dish, trimming and crimping the edges neatly.
7. Blind bake the crust for approximately 15 minutes until lightly golden, then set aside to cool.
8. Prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with water until completely smooth.
9. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine coconut cream, milk, and sugar, whisking constantly over medium heat.
10. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then stir in coconut extract and the prepared cornstarch slurry.
11. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the filling thickens to a pudding-like consistency.
12. Pour half of the coconut filling into the prepared crust, creating an even base layer.
13. Mix melted chocolate into the remaining filling, creating a rich, marbled effect.
14. Carefully spread the chocolate-infused filling over the first layer, smoothing with a spatula.
15. Toast coconut shavings in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
16. Whip heavy cream with sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form.
17. Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
18. Before serving, generously top the pie with whipped cream and sprinkle with toasted coconut shavings.

Notes

• Prep ahead by chilling the pie crust dough for optimal texture and easier handling.
• Toast coconut shavings carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning.
• Use full-fat coconut cream for a richer, more luxurious pie filling consistency.
• Create a smooth chocolate layer by ensuring the cornstarch slurry is fully incorporated.
• Whip cream just before serving to maintain its light, airy peak structure.
• Chill the pie thoroughly to help layers set and intensify the flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg