Introduction
Million Dollar Pie is a classic no-bake Southern dessert that tastes just as luxurious as its name suggests. Creamy, fluffy, and loaded with tropical flavors, this pie combines crushed pineapple, sweet coconut, crunchy pecans, and bright citrus folded into a light, cloud-like filling. All of it rests in a buttery graham cracker crust, creating a dessert that’s refreshing, rich, and incredibly satisfying.
This pie became popular because it delivers big flavor with minimal effort. There’s no oven, no complicated steps, and no special equipment—just simple ingredients mixed together and chilled until perfectly set. The result is a pie that feels indulgent yet light, making it ideal for warm weather, holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings.
Million Dollar Pie is especially beloved in Southern kitchens because it’s nostalgic and dependable. It’s the kind of dessert that shows up at church dinners, Sunday suppers, and summer cookouts, always disappearing quickly. Sweet pineapple adds moisture and brightness, coconut brings texture and sweetness, pecans add crunch, and citrus balances everything with a subtle tang.
If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that truly lives up to the hype, Million Dollar Pie is a timeless favorite that never goes out of style.
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, very well drained
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
½ cup chopped pecans
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
Optional: maraschino cherries or extra pecans for garnish
Preparation
Step 1: Drain the Pineapple
Drain crushed pineapple extremely well using a fine mesh strainer. Press out as much liquid as possible—this step is critical to ensure the pie sets properly and doesn’t become runny.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Base
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and fresh lemon juice until smooth and slightly thickened. This creates the rich, creamy base of the pie.
Step 3: Fold in the Whipped Topping
Gently fold the whipped topping into the condensed milk mixture until fully combined and light. Take care not to deflate the mixture.
Step 4: Add the Mix-Ins
Fold in the drained crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the filling.
Step 5: Fill and Chill
Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust and smooth the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until fully set and chilled.
Variations
Cherry Million Dollar Pie: Add chopped maraschino cherries for extra color.
Orange Twist: Replace lemon juice with orange juice and zest.
Toasted Coconut Version: Toast coconut before folding in for deeper flavor.
Nut-Free Option: Omit pecans for an allergy-friendly pie.
Cream Cheese Version: Fold in 4 oz softened cream cheese for extra richness.
Cooking Notes
Properly draining pineapple is essential for structure.
Use full-fat sweetened condensed milk for best texture.
Chill time allows flavors to meld and pie to firm up.
Do not freeze before fully setting in the fridge first.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Million Dollar Pie chilled, sliced cleanly, and garnished with extra pecans, coconut, or cherries. It pairs beautifully with coffee, iced tea, or lemonade and works perfectly as a refreshing dessert after a hearty meal. Ideal for summer gatherings, holidays, and potlucks.
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