“Make Way, Make Way!” for This Hawaiian Haupia Pie Recipe

In Disney’s enchanting film Moana, the rich tapestry of Polynesian culture is brought to life through vibrant storytelling, music, and traditions. One element that echoes this cultural homage is the culinary tradition, notably reflected in the beloved Hawaiian Haupia Pie.

Much like Moana’s journey of self-discovery and her deep connection to her heritage, Haupia Pie embodies the essence of Hawaiian flavors and traditions. This classic dessert, with its creamy coconut base and delightful simplicity, mirrors the film’s celebration of island life, creating a delicious bridge between the magic of Moana’s adventure and the authentic taste of Hawaii.

As Moana would, go ahead and ask the family to “Make way, Make way!” as you prepare this magical dish!

Hawaiian Haupia Pie

Haupia Pie is a widely popular pie found in Hawaii. It can have many different variations, like a sweet potato haupia pie, but the most popular is probably the chocolate haupia pie recipe. There are many bakeries in Hawaii that serve this delicious pie so it’s hard to say which bakery made this pie first but I think it is safe to say that it was Ted’s Bakery on North Shore Oahu that made it famous. Chocolate haupia pies are the perfect blend of chocolate, coconut, and cream and it just might be my favorite pie of all time. Ever.

Ted’s Bakery

Any time I had family or friends visit me in Hawaii, I would always take them to Ted’s bakery. Of course, the chocolate haupia cream pie was a favorite, but they have SO MANY delicious menu items it was (and is) so hard to choose. I am a big fan of the pineapple macadamia nut cheesecake and strawberry guava pie as well. To be honest, I never had anything at Ted’s that I didn’t like. If you visit Sunset Beach (or just pass through), you MUST stop in to Ted’s Bakery and get slice of pie (and maybe even a plate lunch). Have you been to Ted’s Bakery? What is YOUR favorite thing to get?

What Is Haupia?

Haupia, in a nutshell, is Hawaiian coconut pudding or custard. The coconut mixture is thicker than what most would consider “pudding” on the mainland and almost has a gelatin-like consistency. Think of it like a cross between pudding and gelatin. That’s the best way I can describe it to someone who has never had haupia before. The haupia layer is supposed to be thick and should not have a “cream pie” consistency.

What’s In Haupia Pie?

• Pie crust – You can use a pre-made pie crust or make your own. Try our favorite homemade pie crust recipe. You can also go non-traditional and use a graham cracker pie crust or Oreo pie crust.
• Coconut Milk (Unsweetened) – Use fall-fat only. If you use “light” or fat-free it won’t set up the same, or taste as good.
• Milk – We like to use whole milk in this recipe but you can use a lighter milk or even almond milk. It won’t be as rich if you don’t use whole milk but it will still be good.
• Sugar
• Thickener – In this recipe we use cornstarch and milk but you can also use arrowroot or agar agar. To learn more about these other thickeners when making haupia, check out our haupia recipe.
• Melted Chocolate Chips – Most people prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips because it is a nice balance of sweetness. We actually like using dark chocolate chips most of the time but it makes it VERY rich and not as sweet. If you like it really sweet, use milk chocolate chips. You can also use a cup of your favorite plain chocolate bar like Trader Joe’s chocolate bars or Hershey’s instead of chocolate chips.
• Whipped Cream – Homemade is best, just follow the instructions below. Add a little coconut extract and you won’t be disappointed.

Optional Toppings

It isn’t necessary to add any toppings to haupia pie, it is perfect as-is. You can even leave the whipped topping off and it will still be delicious. However, if you feel the need to get all fancy you can add a little bit of toasted coconut, crushed macadamia nuts or some dark chocolate shavings over the top of the pie dish. Don’t go too crazy with the toppings because you don’t want to take away from the deliciousness of the pie itself. Less is more when it comes to this pie!

Chocolate Haupia Pie

Chocolate haupia pie is a popular pie found in Hawaii. It's a rich chocolate pie with a coconut haupia layer and topped with whipped cream.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cooling time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs

Servings: 6

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Hawaiian

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Chocolate Haupia Pie

• 1 (9-inch) pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 ½ cups whole milk, divided
• 5 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk (not fat-free or light)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (see notes above)

Whipped Cream

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon coconut extract (optional)

Method

 

Chocolate Haupia Pie

1. Step 1: Generously pierce the crust with a fork before baking.
   
2. Step 2: Bake according to recipe or according to package directions, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the crust to cool.
   
3. Step 3: In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine ½ cup whole milk and cornstarch. Mix until cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside.
   
4. Step 4: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the remaining 1 cup of whole milk, coconut milk, and sugar. Bring to a simmer, whisking often.
   
5. Step 5: Stir the cornstarch mixture once more before slowly adding to the coconut milk mixture, whisking constantly. Continue whisking until the mixture becomes thick, like a thick pudding. (This coconut milk pudding is the haupia.) It is very important that the mixture is thick before moving to the next step.
6. Step 6: Place about half of the haupia mixture into a separate bowl and set aside. Add chocolate chips to the remaining mixture in the saucepan and stir until the chocolate chips are completely melted and well combined.
7. Step 7: Add the chocolate haupia mixture immediately to the cooled pie crust and smooth with a spatula until even.
   
8. Step 8: Carefully add the remaining haupia mixture over the top and carefully smooth over until even.
   
9. Step 9: Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours.
   

Whipped Cream Topping

1. Step 1: To make whipped cream, whip heavy cream, and sugar until stiff peaks form. Add coconut extract and whip for 30 more seconds.
   
2. Step 2: After the pie has cooled, cut into slices and top with whipped cream topping. You can use a piping bag fitted with a large star tip to pipe the whipped cream in a design over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Make Chocolate Haupia Pie

Haupia pie is SO EASY to make. The filling only takes a few minutes to make and the difference between the two layers is just a cup of chocolate chips. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool because it smells SO GOOD and you will want to take a bite immediately. It will be hard but your patience will be rewarded! Here’s how to make it:

Interested in more Disney Recipes?

From a yummy Dole Whip recipe to a Taylor Swift Cookie Recipe for “Fearless” Bakers, these recipes will transport you to the Disney Parks and movies. Check out Disney foodie favorites on our recipe page!

This post originally appeared on Favorite Family Recipes.