How To Store Coconut Cream Pie | The Best Way

The best way to store coconut cream pie is to either cover the pie with plastic wrap or put it into a cake or pie cover and store it in the refrigerator for 4 days. Coconut cream pie can also be frozen for up to 6 months if wrapped properly. Even so, the custard will tend to be watery when frozen and thawed.

For whole or partial pies, a pie container like this one will do the trick nicely for maximizing the shelf life of the coconut cream pie in the fridge or freezer. I also like how it works really well for keeping the pie safe during travel.

Storing Coconut Cream Pie

If You Have A Whole Leftover Pie:

The best way to store a coconut cream pie is to put the pie into a cake or pie cover, like this one found on Amazon. But, if you do not have a cake or pie cover, cover the pie with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Coconut cream, as well as other cream pies, can also be put into a freezer-safe container or wrapped in foil or plastic wrap and placed in the freezer for up to 6 months. However, cream and custard fillings tend to separate and be a little watery after having been frozen.

If You Only Have A Few Pieces Of Leftover Pie:

If you only have a partial leftover coconut cream pie, you can store the whole thing by putting it into a cake or pie cover or other airtight container or wrapping it with foil and/or plastic wrap and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freezing it for up to 6 months.

Or, you can cut the leftover pie into slices and store them separately in small airtight containers either in the refrigerator or freezer so that you can take them out individually and serve them whenever they are needed.

If You Are Making Multiple Pies:

If you are making several pies at the same time but do not expect to use them all at once, it is better to freeze the crust and the filling separately and put them together just prior to serving them.

Steps for freezing pie crust and filling:

1. Double-wrap the pie crust tightly in foil and/or plastic wrap and freeze until needed.
2. Make the pie filling, allow it to cool completely, and place it into an airtight container.
3. Freeze both the pie crust and pie filling until needed. Be sure to label each and include the date.

Thawing Instructions:

1. Remove the crust and the filling from the freezer and place them in the refrigerator to thaw at least 24 hours prior to serving the pie.
2. Be sure to stir the pie filling well because frozen and thawed custard tends to be watery, and pour it into the cooled pie crust.

Now just continue making the recipe as you normally would. If you do it right, no one will ever know that you made the pie crust and filling some time ago.

Can Coconut Cream Pie Be Stored Without Refrigeration?

Coconut cream pies and all similar pies cannot safely be stored without refrigeration and must be refrigerated as soon as possible after baking.

If the pie contains eggs and/or dairy products as ingredients, including milk, cream, buttermilk, sour cream, cream cheese, condensed milk, and evaporated milk, then it must be refrigerated as soon as it cools.

And, even savory pies like quiche that contain cheese must be refrigerated as soon as they cool.

How Long Will Coconut Cream Pie Stay Good If Refrigerated?

Cream pies, including coconut cream, will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, if wrapped well. Care should be taken when wrapping the pies for storage to ensure that they are either in an airtight container or wrapped well enough so that they do not absorb odors from other foods stored nearby.

Can Pie Be Frozen?

Most kinds of pie can be frozen, but the trick is to put them into an airtight container that will protect the pie from stacking damage in the freezer and from absorbing odors. Or, I recommend that you double-wrap them well in plastic wrap or foil. This adds a little extra protection.

But, keep in mind that custard and cream pies separate when frozen and tend to be watery when thawed.

How Long Will Coconut Cream Pie Stay Good If Frozen?

Coconut cream pie can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months, but custard and cream filling tends to separate and will be watery when thawed. Therefore, it is best to freeze the pie crust and the filling separately. Stir the filling well after thawing to reconstitute the custard so it won’t be watery.

How To Prepare A Pie For Freezing

The best way to prepare a pie for freezing is in an airtight container that will protect it from becoming damaged in the freezer. Otherwise, wrap the pie in at least 2 layers of plastic wrap, making sure there is a good seal. Then, add a layer of aluminum foil for good measure to protect from freezer burn and odors.

To me, a pie carrier like this one that also acts as a storage container for storage in the fridge or freezer is a must-have.

How To Thaw A Frozen Pie?

The best way to thaw a frozen custard or cream pie is to remove the pie from the freezer 12 to 24 hours before serving and unwrap the foil and plastic wrap. Allow the pie to thaw in the refrigerator to avoid condensation that would ruin the crust by making it soggy. 

A cream pie can also be thawed at room temperature if you are pretty sure you will eat the whole thing. I would not recommend thawing an entire pie at room temperature and then refrigerating what is left for another time.

How To Tell If Pie Has Gone Bad?

• When a custard or cream pie is beginning to go bad, the crust will become soggy and the filling will become watery, but it will still be safe to eat.
• But, any odd taste or smell is a sure sign that the pie has gone bad and should be discarded right away.
• If the pie begins to show signs of mold, it should be discarded immediately without tasting it.

Things To Help A Cream Pie Stay Good Longer

• Refrigerate a cream pie within 2 hours of making it.
• Keep the pie covered except when serving to avoid airborne contamination.
• Use a knife or pie server that is used only for that pie to avoid cross-contamination with other pies or types of food.
• When serving a pie, don’t leave it unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours.
• Custard and cream pies can be frozen for up to 6 months to use at a later date. But, keep in mind that freezing will change the texture of the pie filling.

Thanks for stoppin’ by!

Jelly Grandma

For more, don’t miss Does Pie Need to Be Refrigerated? | Ingredients Matter.