If you grew up in the 1960s in Texas you probably had a slice of this creamy, tropical dessert at one time or another. Taste those sweet memories and make some new ones with this old fashioned, family favorite!
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Table of Contents
❤️ Why you'll love it
- A huge hit on warm, lazy, summer days (great for backyard BBQs, too)
- No-bake recipe only takes five minutes of prep
- One of the easiest pies you'll ever make—uses super simple ingredients
This no-bake millionaire pie tastes similar to ambrosia salad and is just like the sweet treat made popular by the Furr's Cafeteria restaurants.
Packed with nutty, tropical flavors, the creamy filling is fluffy, light, and rich—spooned into a delicious graham cracker crust, one bite tastes worth a million bucks!
Love these easy, vintage recipes? Try this fluffy pineapple pie from my mom's 1941 Better Homes and Garden cookbook!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- Use a premade pie crust or homemade graham cracker crust. If you like pie a little less sweet, you can use a regular pie crust.
- Out of graham crackers? Pie crust is just as tasty when made with shortbread cookies or Pecan Sandies!
- Some people like to use marshmallows instead of shredded coconut.
- Substitute the toasted pecans with macadamia nuts, if you prefer.
- Stir in some mandarin orange slices for an extra citrus flavor.
- Feel free to use Cool Whip from the store or make your own whipped cream using the link in the recipe card below.
- Make this delicious pie into bars to serve at potlucks. Simply press the crumbs into the bottom of a 13x9-inch pan and double the filling.
- Some people call millionaire pie "Pina Colada pie." Make an adults-only version by swapping the pineapple juice with rum.
- Garnish the top with little cocktail umbrellas before serving for a cute finish.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- In a large bowl, combine the coconut, crushed pineapple, and sweetened condensed milk.
- Stir in the maraschino cherries, pecans, fresh lemon juice, and pineapple juice. Add the cherry juice to adjust the color.
- Gently fold in the whipped topping in two additions.
- Spoon the creamy pie filling into the shell and chill. Top with additional whipped topping just before serving.
🎥 Video
Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).
🥫 How to store leftovers
Storing this no-bake dessert is as easy as making it! Cover the pie with plastic (or place it in a lidded pie plate) and refrigerate for up to four days.
You can also freeze millionaire pie for up to six months. Just be sure to cover the pie very tight in two layers of plastic wrap. Then, add a layer of foil—just for extra protection.
From frozen, let the pie thaw slowly in the fridge. Don't try to speed it up using the microwave or you risk having soup! You can even enjoy it semi-frozen for a fun summer treat during warm weather days.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Lemon juice helps thicken no-bake pie recipes (similar to my lemon icebox pie.) You can't leave it out! If you really need a swap, lime juice works in a pinch and will taste just as good, too.
- Drained pineapple is key—too much liquid and your filling won't set. First, let the juice run out of the can. Then, dump the pineapple into a sieve and press it down with a thick layer of paper towels.
- The maraschino cherry juice gives the pie its pretty pink color. Add more or less depending on how you want it to look.
- Watch nuts carefully when toasting—they go from pale to charred in an instant. Check below the recipe for a general time frame for the nuts.
- Prepping the pie in advance? Wait to add the extra whipped topping until just before you are ready to serve.
- Spray the underside of the plastic wrap with cooking spray before you cover the pie so that the filling doesn't stick to it.
- Put the pie in the freezer for about 45 minutes before you want to cut it so the slices are pretty and clean.
- This million-dollar pie recipe is very rich, so you can technically cut it into ten servings and no one will complain!
👩🍳 FAQs
Sure thing! You can make the easy pie up to three days in advance and keep it refrigerated. I do recommend leaving the whipped topping off until you're ready to serve it, just in case it deflates a little.
Smooth the whipped topping with the back of a spoon or a spatula. Then, put a little into a piping bag with a star tip and add dollops around the edges. Finally, garnish with some maraschino cherries or sprinkle on crushed pecans for an Instagram-worthy finish.
Millionaire pie does go by quite a few names. I've heard it called million-dollar pie, Hawaiian millionaire's pie, and billionaire pie—those people really enjoy it!
📚 Related recipes
- No-Bake Banana Pudding Pie is a Southern dessert that tastes like summer. It's easy, only needs six ingredients, and everyone loves it.
- Creamy, rich, and tropical, Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake combines two classic desserts into one decadent, delicious confection.
- When the temps get high, don't turn on the oven. Strawberry Ice Cream Crunch Cake tastes sweet and refreshing like your fave childhood treat!
🍽️ Serve with...
- Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast is great for a cookout and the savory, smoky flavor tastes perfect before a tropical millionaire pie.
- Southern Cornbread Salad—your new favorite side dish for cookouts, potlucks, and easy summer dinners served al fresco.
- Tropical Pineapple Sangria is refreshing on a hot, summer day and simply perfect for a party.
What’s new? Check out my Restless Chipotle & Co. Store on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness! Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!
📞 The last word
Whether you call it Millionaire Pie, Pina Colada Pie, Hawaiian Pie, or something else -- this old-fashioned no-bake recipe is absolutely the best!
Be sure to make it soon. And let me know in the comments if this is one of those recipes that was part of your childhood...
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Millionaire Pie
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 prepared crumb crust
- 1 cup coconut, sweetened flaked
- 20 oz pineapple, crushed - well drained and 1 tablespoon reserved
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained & chopped
- ½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, I use Eagle Brand
- 5 tablespoons lemon juice, or lime juice
- 1 tablespoon pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice, optional
- 1 ½ cups whipped topping, divided - I used my homemade Cool Whip or you can use Cool Whip from the store.
- ¼ cup toasted coconut for topping
- 1 cup whipped topping, for top
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine coconut, crushed pineapple, maraschino cherries, pecans, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and pineapple juice. Add maraschino cherry juice for pink color if desired.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Gently fold in ¾ cup whipped topping using an over and under movement.
- Fold in the remaining ¾ cup topping but don't over-mix.
- Spoon into crust.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Before serving top with remaining 1 cup whipped topping and sprinkle with toasted coconut, if desired.
Notes
- Spray the inside of your plastic wrap with cooking spray before you cover the pie so that the filling doesn't stick to the wrap.
- Be sure to drain as much juice from the pineapple as possible or your filling won't set up.
- Wait to add the extra topping to the top of the pie until just before you are ready to serve.
- Put the pie in the freezer about 45 minutes before you want to cut it so the slices are pretty and clean.
- You can make it up to 3 days ahead of time and keep it refrigerated..
- Place coconut on a microwave safe dish in a thin layer.
- Microwave on high for 15 seconds.
- Stop and stir.
- Microwave for 15 more seconds.
- Stop and stir.
- Continue until you've got it as golden as you like.
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Lay the chopped nuts out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Toast, stirring often, for about 5 -8 minutes, or until they are toasted to your liking.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
✍🏻 A note from Marye...
I know y'all don't always like the stories bloggers tell so when I have one I try to put it at the very bottom so you can read or skip as you like.
This exquisite bite of Americana is, or was, a popular dessert at Furr's Cafeterias in Texas during the 1970s and before. They may still serve it - I honestly haven't been to a Furr's in years.
Actually I think we went to Furr's when we were in Fort Worth and Wyatt's Cafeteria when we were in Dallas....
It doesn't matter - they both had this wonderfully creamy pie.
I always thought it was called "million dollar pie" and I felt special that Dad spend that kind of money on me - until I learned to read and found it it was something like $1.59!
This is from the second batch of images I shot in 2020.
First published: May 2018. Last updated June 13, 2023 for images and readability.
Laurie says
I remember my mom making this. I'm so glad to find the recipe and I'm going to give it a try for our Labor Day cookout. Thanks!
Ari says
This is going to sound stupid but I’m allergic to pineapple. Can it be substituted?
Marye says
I'm sure it could - I've never tried.
Doris says
Looks great but haven’t tried it yet. I’ve made Ambrosia for 40 years for Christmas morning (along with Cape Cod eggs). This year I may try the pie instead but add mandarin oranges and maybe some small marshmallows. Would this work if I replaced the graham cracker crust with a prepared shortbread crust? Thanks
Marye says
I'm sure it would.
Shirley says
Your recipe is clear and concise. Updated picture makes the pie very appealing. Haven't made it yet but have signed up for the email. Looking forward to wonderful recipes to try. Thanks for your hard work.
Marye says
Thanks!
Gerita says
Hi, Marye. I am going to be a stickler here. This is Furr's Billionaire pie, with a "B". Their Millionaire pie has a butter, powdered sugar, egg bottom layer and topped with a heavy whipping cream, pineapple and pecan upper layer. Both absolutely wonderful creations. I sure miss Furr's Pie Kitchen and Furr's cafeteria in Lubbock.
JoAnn says
All I can say is ymmmmmm!
Terez says
I made this today and it was so delicious! I also toasted almonds with my pecans and coconut. pretty tasty!
Cam Swart says
I remember this as so yummy. I'm making it for Christmas this year