My Quest: To find a recipe for The Famous Chocolate Haupia Pie
Do you remember Gidget: Frankie Avalon, Sandra Dee and James Darren? That film was in Malibu 1959, but brought on a host of beach and surfer movies in the early 1960’s when I was just a babe, but they were played a long while on the TV. Those movies were “the bomb” at the time, and Sunset Beach surfing became famous the world over and a dream location that few could ever dream of visiting.
Well, I finally got there. Oh, about 50 years later. The waves and water Vanja will never forget. His day swimming on the North Shore of Oahu is his number one event during our two weeks on the island last January (2013). Of course, I was also scouting out the famous food stops, and Ted’s Bakery was on “the list”. We drove by it more than twice. Missed it completely the first day around the North Shore. And we were looking. In 1950 Torojiro Nakamura, a former sugar plantation worker, and his son Takemitsu (Ted), had the opportunity to buy land in Sunset Beach, and from 1956 to 1987 ran a small grocery store and surf spot. Ted integrated a full on bakery and restaurant into the store in 1987. Their garlic shrimp is to be one of the best on the North Shore, as well… but, one could never keep up with that race. We tried.
I really had no idea what to expect, but we headed there for coffee on our second day out with a car rental. We came from the Turtle Beach side and found it this time… but not without stopping to ask some locals. The sign is huge, but not visible from the road, and the place is really, right on the road. Talk about nondescript. We pulled in, parked, glanced at each other, and in we went. We have discovered the most incredible treasures in the oddest places, and the oddest places on the “must visit” lists.
I really did not know what to expect. This was a trip I had not researched. Mom had been diagnosed with colon cancer at 82 last August. Dad had 4 serious COPD exacerbations from September through to November. Mom’s surgery was in October. It was an exhausting fall where I was consumed with care giving. Thankful that I could and grateful for the relationships that developed with both mom and dad through the process… and both recovered triumphantly. This was a holiday for rest.
We had our coffee our on the blue powder coated metal table, joining another young couple there for a little early morning visit. Both were surfers, tattooed up the ying-yang, vibrant, healthy and oozing enthusiasm and vitality. “You have to try the Chocolate Haupia Pie.” The young fellow told me. That’s what Ted’s is famous for. You don’t come this far without trying his pie. So, we did. One haupia (coconut) and one chocolate haupia, as above. Apparently, these were made here, in a homemade fashion for years, until the tourism crowd (and there was no crowd on this day) made it impossible for them to keep up with the demand, and Ted’s had a company come it and develop the recipe to be made en mass.
Really, this is very “funny” as it depicted the food experience we had had all over the island, for the most part. Read the ingredients. Convenience food that is industrially made with a host of ingredients one can barely pronounce derived from a famous, house made pie from this iconic Sunset Beach surfer’s spot. What a shame. And, yup. It was good. But it didn’t feel good eating it, knowing what was in it. Why cater to the masses? Why not just make what you can bake and keep the original integrity of the place? In many ways, that is still there. Take a closer look at the inside photos, above. The casual honor system with the coffee is still there. It is still a little unpretentious spot with a whole lotta history that has taken place inside of its walls and across the street on the beach.
Anyone have a homemade recipe for either of these pies? I would love to see one and give them a try!
We are glad we spent our morning coffee there – and had pie for breakfast. I would say I was about 40 years too late to experience that old Gidget – Malibu Beach – Sandra Dee – Frankie Avalon surfer vibe… that was captured in those old movies. This is an interesting article on the history of the surfing in the area. Yet, Vanja caught a few great waves and we both breathed in the humid warm Sunset Beach air, visited with a couple of colourful strangers over coffee and stood on that same ground, marking our own moment in this space and place in time.
Which now has me on the quest for a homemade recipe for Chocolate Haupia Pie. Help me?
February 6, 2017: Today, I thank Jan – read the recipe she has shared in the comments below. I cannot wait to try it! Thank you, Jan!
It’s a shame that the pie is now mass produced but I am sure that somewhere on the island it must still be made in the timeless way.
That’s what I am hoping to find!
🙂
V
We love this pie, but we call it Hula Pie. Here is the recipe for that pie famous at Duke’s in Honolulu!
http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2009/9/25/Dukes_Hula_Pie_Hawaii_dessert_recipe
That Hula Pie dessert you had in Hawaii? Here’s the recipe.
by: Chris Bailey
posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Hula Pie
Ingredients:
1 9-inch chocolate cookie piecrust
1 half gallon macadamia nut ice cream (Seems like a lot of ice cream, but you’ll be piling it high.)
4 ounces chocolate fudge topping
1 shot of espresso or strong coffee
6 ounces macadamia nuts
Whipped cream
1. Bring fudge topping to room temperature.
2. Scoop ice cream into prepared pie shell, smoothing it into a rough dome, or bombe, as high as you’d like.
3. Warm espresso or coffee and mix into chocolate. Use a warmed knife to spread topping even over ice cream bombe.
4. Freeze until ready to serve.
5. Cover top of pie with a layer of whipped cream and chopped macadamia nuts before serving.
Can’t find macadamia nut ice cream in your local store? Just substitute good vanilla ice cream—soften it just a little and mix in chopped mac nuts. We actually prefer this option to store bought mac nut ice cream, as the flavor is more balanced and the texture of the nuts will remain firm, not soggy.
If you’d prefer to make your own pie crust, too, simply mix chocolate wafer crumbs (about a cup and a half) with a little sugar and about ¼ cup melted butter. Press the mixture into a pie pan.
Thank you SO much for this, Shelley!
This is a different recipe than the Chocolate Haupia Pie, but it is a favourite of Lauren’s (my daughter) and she will be over the moon to have this recipe to make for Aaron…. one of their favourite memories: watching the sunset over the ocean at Duke’s in Honolulu while eating their Hula Pie.
XO
Valerie
Dear Valerie,
I was reading your delightful blog this morning and was glad to sent you this recipe I found in seconds on my pc. Good luck with it.
Hannie Poll – The Netherlands
How to make Hawaii chocolate haupia pie. Here’s a recipe.
by: Kalei Talwar
posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Chocolate Haupia Pie
Ingredients:
1 9-in. unbaked pie crust
1 cup milk
1 can coconut milk (14 oz.)
1 tbsp. coconut extract
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup cornstarch
7/8 cup chocolate (Dutch chocolate, or any chocolate with high cocoa butter content)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Bake crust for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
3. In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, coconut milk, coconut extract and 1 cup sugar.
4. In a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water.
5. After bringing coconut milk mixture to a boil, reduce to simmer and slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Continue stirring over low heat until thickened—about three minutes. Divide evenly into two bowls.
6. In another bowl, microwave chocolate until melted.
7. Mix chocolate into one of the bowls of coconut pudding, then pour mixture into the pie crust, spread and let sit.
8. Pour the remaining bowl of coconut pudding on top of the chocolate-coconut pudding mixture and spread smooth being careful nut to mix the two layers. Refrigerate the pie for an hour or more.
9. Whip the heavy cream with 1/4 cup of sugar until stiff. Layer the whipped cream on the pie surface. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
Ted’s Bakery is located at 59-024 Kamehameha Highway, near Sunset Beach on Oahu’s North Shore, (808) 638-8207. Anna Miller’s Restaurant is located at 98-115 Kaonohi St., in Aiea neighboring Pearlridge Center, (808) 487-2421.
Hi, Hannie
Thank you so much for this. I am hoping that someone who makes this at home as a traditional favourite – and where others rave about the recipe. That is the one I want – and it may be this one. Boy, I sure had fun reading all the recipes I found and looking at all the photos after you so thoughtfully sent me this!
Didn’t even cross my mind to do a search. Odd, eh?
Big hug,
Valerie
I love Shellie’s recipe, it sounds very yummy. I’ll come for pie when you make it………..or you probably already have! lol 🙂
Aloha Nui Loa for Oahu….
We absolutely love it when our visitors write nice stuff about our local products…Ted’s pies are a sought after dessert and are sold in many of our local stores…We love them so much that we don’t even give a second thought to whats in it…it just tastes “ono” (delicious)…So much so that when our church in Kailua has a dinner gathering or a men’s group movie/dinner night out at one of the homes I am know as the pie guy. I can’t make desserts so I opt for a Choclate Haupia Creme pie from Ted’s (or two) and my pastor loves them, don’t tell his wife cause he’s trying to watch the belt line..so I make sure he gets a LARGE slice at the men’s night dinners.
Us locals know a great pie when we sink our teeth into one and I have been know to buy one for myself just for yup you guessed it breakfast with a pot o coffee..Again, thanks for your great write up Mahalo Nui Loa. Marc David
Lovely to wake up to such a warm comment, Marc David!
Thank you for taking the time to make my day!
🙂
Valerie
Hi Valerie, I recently came across your post and wanted to share my recipe (combination of various recipes from the internet.) Someone gave us about 30 coconuts so I had lots of coconut milk to practice on. This one is a family’s favorite.
CHOCOLATE HAUPIA PIE ONO – a keeper
Macadamia nut crust:
• 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter
• 3 tbs of sugar
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 2 cups chopped macadamia nuts (original recipe called for 1 cup)
• Pinch of salt – (original recipe doesn’t call for it but I think it adds another depth of flavor)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together sugar and flour and cut in butter for the crust. Mix in the chopped macadamias and press into a 9″ x 13″ baking pan. Bake for approximately 25+ minutes or until golden at the edges.
Haupia:
32 oz coconut milk (freshly grated and squeezed is best, or frozen coconut milk is second best) Canned coconut milk is “hit or miss”.
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
Whisk all but 8 oz coconut milk and sugar together in a small saucepan. In a separate bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 8 oz coconut milk. Bring coconut milk mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and whisk in cornstarch mixture, whisking until thickened.
Chocolate
Microwave 7 ounces semi-sweet chocolate. Stir and melt completely. Pour into half of the haupia mixture and pour over bottom of baked pie crust. Layer white haupia over the top. Cool pie at least 1 hour in refrig.
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Shaved chocolate, for garnish (optional)
Whip cream with 1/4 cup sugar until still peaks form. Garnish pie with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Chill another hour..
Jan!
I could just hug you and kiss you all over! Thank you so very much. You have no idea how much this means to me! To have a local share a family favourite recipe is the ultimate gift after traveling. Thank you so much. Currently I am in the US visiting my daughter’s family and grandchildren, but when I get home, I am definitely making this right away!
Great big tight hug,
Valerie
Jan – how many fresh coconuts did it take for you to get that much fresh coconut milk – keeping in mind there are rarely young coconuts in Canada – must they be young, or can we squeeze the flesh of the regular aged coconut to get the milk….? How many should I buy to have enough for one pie?
HELP?
Thanks!!
Valerie