Sunday, February 5, 2012

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie


I've always been a little hesitant to try making cream pies because I'm afraid to burn them. I have a great recipe for a chocolate cream pie, but it's all cold ingredients so there is no boiling involved. So when my husband requested his favorite coconut cream pie for his birthday, my first thought was I wonder which restaurants sell coconut cream pies? But since I couldn't find one that didn't charge an arm and a leg, I decided to jump in with both feet and make one. I couldn't have been more surprised at how easy this recipe was. I even used the microwave as one reviewer suggested and it worked like a charm. And to top it off, the pie was delicious. Coconut cream pie was never a favorite of mine but after tasting this pie, I've changed my mind!

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

1 1/2cups half-and-half

1 1/2 cups coconut milk
2 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup corn starch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup flaked coconut, toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (you can substitute coconut extract)
1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

In a medium saucepan, combine half-and-half, eggs, sugar, corn starch and salt. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly (or put into microwave for 7 minutes stirring as needed) . Remove from heat (or microwave), and stir in 3/4 cup of the coconut and the vanilla extract. Pour into pie shell and chill 2 to 4 hours, or until firm.


Top with whipped topping, and with remaining 1/4 cup of coconut.

Note: To toast coconut, spread it in an ungreased pan and bake in a 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.


Adapted from All Recipes.com


"What? Ridden on a horse?
Yes

You're using coconuts!
What?

You've got two empty halves of coconuts and you're banging them together!
So?"

-Monty Python

10 comments:

sarina said...

Wow.. looks so good there.. I would bake more.. but that would mean food would be in the house.. and I would eat it..haha

Sweetflutterbys3 said...

That is exactly my problem. I love to bake and I love to eat it too!

Beth said...

Oh, I love coconut creme pie...and it's been forever since I had any! Gosh, it looks so, so good in your picture, Mary Ann. Made my mouth water...

Sweetflutterbys3 said...

Thanks Beth! Maybe you could make yourself some this weekend :)

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I can't picture you BUYING a pie!

That looks delish. Where do you find coconut milk?

Sweetflutterbys3 said...

The grocery store has it. It's near the organic milks and in cans too in baking. I still had a tough time finding it, but using it makes a big difference in the taste.

Beth said...

I miss your wonderful recipes, Mary Ann. I hope all is well with you.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Found the coconut milk. It was in the Mexican section in Wal-Mart. But now that I'm looking at the recipe, I don't know if there's enough in that one can. Might have to get another.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I've been looking forward to making this pie and tonight I did. I noticed that you forgot to tell us when to put the coconut milk in. I took a chance and put it in with the half-and-half. It came out great! It will be on my favorite list. And you're right, so easy.

By the way, the coconut milk by itself is delicious. I had to stop myself from drinking it.

Sweetflutterbys3 said...

Whoops, sorry about that! What you did is fine. And I'm glad it turned out for you. It's my favorite too :)