Impossible Pie

I’ve never met a pie I didn’t like, but custard-based pies are certainly my favorite. I love the creamy contrast of textures, their wonderful flavor and the fact that they’re often served cold. But sometimes putting together a pie crust to bake a pie feels like too much work, and I don’t have the desire to go to the grocery store to pick up a store-bought pie crust either. This impossible pie recipe solves that issue because it doesn’t call for a pie crust, period. And despite its name, an impossible pie is the opposite of impossible to make!

What is impossible pie?

Impossible pies became popular in the 70s after Bisquick printed the recipe on the back of its box. The recipe calls for simply blending all the ingredients together and pouring the mixture into a pie dish (yes, without a crust!). The pie bakes in under an hour, forming multiple layers.

Even though there’s no pie crust in the dish, a slight crust-like texture forms on the top, with a creamy custard base and notes of vanilla and coconut throughout. The pie is impossible in the sense that it’s impossibly easy to throw together. Impossible pies have many different variations now, including lemon impossible pie and even a savory cheeseburger impossible pie.

Ingredients for Impossible Pie

• Butter: Melt and cool a stick of butter to add rich flavor to the pie.
• Granulated sugar: For flavor and sweetness, 1 full cup of sugar is added to the pie filling.
• Eggs: Let your eggs come to room temperature for easier incorporation into the pie mixture. Eggs help create a luscious custard pie.
• All-purpose flour: While Bisquick was used in the original back-of-the-box recipe, we call for a small amount of all-purpose flour to thicken the pie filling instead.
• Salt: A pinch of salt goes a long way in balancing the sweetness in this impossible pie recipe.
• Milk: This pie filling requires plenty of liquid for a creamy texture. Use 2% milk, or swap in whole milk if desired. Alternatively, use heavy cream for an even creamier pie.
• Coconut: Shredded coconut not only plays a role in the flavor of this pie, but it also creates a wonderful texture. Use sweetened shredded coconut vs. flaked coconut for the best results.
• Vanilla extract: Infuse this pie with flavor with the addition of vanilla extract. Use your favorite brand of vanilla extract.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Dust the top of the finished pie with a touch of confectioners’ sugar for a lovely appearance before serving.

Directions

Step 1: Blend the ingredients

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Blend together the melted and cooled butter, sugar, eggs, flour and salt.

Then, add the milk, coconut and vanilla extract. Pour into a well-greased deep-dish pie pan.

Step 2: Bake the pie

Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. If desired, dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Editor’s Tip: When it’s done, the top of the pie should be golden and the pie should jiggle just slightly.

Impossible Pie Variations

• Infuse with lemon: Lemon and coconut are a wonderful pairing. Zest a lemon into the blended mixture for vibrant flavor.
• Add berries: Fresh blueberries or raspberries would be a wonderful addition to the pie. Once the mixture has been poured into the prepared pie pan, top it evenly with small berries and bake as directed.
• Incorporate some spice: Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to add warm spices to your pie. Simply incorporate 1 teaspoon into the blended mixture.

How to Store Impossible Pie

Because it’s a custard-based pie, impossible pie should be stored in the refrigerator. Wrap it with storage wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can you freeze impossible pie?

Impossible pie freezes very well. Wrap the pie in a layer of storage wrap and a layer of aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer bag. Freeze the pie for up to two months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.

Impossible Pie Tips

Can you make impossible pie without coconut?

Not a fan of coconut? Leave it out. The shredded coconut enhances the flavor and texture of this impossible pie, but it can be left out if preferred.

Should impossible pie be served warm or cold?

Part of the appeal of impossible pie is that it can be served at any temperature. Let it cool slightly out of the oven to enjoy it warm, try it at room temperature or serve impossible pie straight out of the refrigerator.

What else can you serve with impossible pie?

Impossible pie is a wonderful blank canvas to dress up with fruit or a drizzle of melted chocolate. The pie can be served with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn this into an a la mode dessert. A scoop of coconut gelato would be divine too.

Can you make impossible pie with a classic pie crust?

The beauty of impossible pie is that it bakes into layers and forms its own crust-like section. However, if you want to pair it with a traditional butter pie crust, you can. Pour the mixture into a parbaked pie crust and then finish baking the pie for 45 to 50 minutes.