Desserts

Buko Pie

Cooking 45 mins Prep 40 mins Serves 8
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Buko Pie

Buko Pie: Young Coconut Custard Pie

Buko pie, from Laguna, has a flaky crust filled with a creamy custard of young coconut meat. It is a popular pasalubong.

About Buko Pie

Buko pie is a flaky pie with young coconut custard from Laguna. It is a popular pasalubong (souvenir). The filling is creamy and the crust is buttery.

Buko pie is a specialty of Laguna province and a popular pasalubong (gift brought home). The creamy filling is made with young coconut (buko) strips in a sweet custard, and the crust is flaky and buttery. It is best enjoyed fresh with a cup of coffee.

Ingredient notes

  • Young coconut meat: tender and mildly sweet, the star of the filling.
  • Cold butter and flour: keep the dough flaky; do not overwork it.
  • Condensed milk and cornstarch: make the filling creamy and thick.
  • Egg wash: gives the crust a golden shine.

Tips for the best Buko Pie

  1. Seal the edges. To prevent leaks.
  2. Brush with egg. For a golden top.

What to serve with Buko Pie

Serve slices.

Variations and substitutions

  • Maja blanca: see Maja Blanca.
  • Mini: make mini pies.
  • Lattice top: for decoration.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate the baked pie for up to 4 days. Reheat slices in a 160 °C oven for 10 minutes to refresh the crust.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use dried coconut?

Fresh or frozen young coconut is best. Dried coconut changes the texture.

Why did my crust get soggy?

The filling was too wet or not cooled before baking. Cool it fully and bake until golden.

More Filipino recipes you might like

Kutsinta, Banana Cue and Puto.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • Flour600 ml
  • Buttercold, cubed240 ml
  • Ice water60 ml
  • Young coconut meatshredded720 ml
  • Coconut water240 ml
  • Condensed milkabout 400 g1 can
  • Cornstarch3 tbsp
  • Eggfor brushing1
  • Salt½ tsp

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cut the butter into the flour and salt, add ice water to form a dough and chill 30 minutes.

    ~30 mins
  2. 2

    Simmer the coconut meat, coconut water, condensed milk and cornstarch, stirring, until thick. Cool.

    low heat ~10 mins
  3. 3

    Roll out the dough, line a pie dish, fill with the coconut mixture and cover with a second crust. Seal and brush with egg.

    ~10 mins
  4. 4

    Bake at 190 °C until golden.

    high heat ~35 mins

Notes

  1. 1. Cooling

    Let the pie cool so the filling sets before slicing.

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Photo: Buko pie (Coconut custard pie) - Philippines 02.jpg by Obsidian Soul via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.