Description
This Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie is a classic dessert featuring a flaky pie crust filled with a rich, creamy coconut custard. Toasted flaked coconut adds a delightful texture and enhances the coconut flavor, while a whipped topping and additional toasted coconut garnish complete this nostalgic treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Filling
- 3 cups half-and-half
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Coconut
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
Topping and Crust
- 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 baked pie shell
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for toasting the coconut.
- Toast Coconut: Spread the sweetened flaked coconut evenly on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the coconut turns a golden brown color. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare Custard Mixture: In a medium-sized pot, combine the half-and-half, white sugar, all-purpose flour, beaten eggs, and salt. Stir the ingredients well to ensure the flour and eggs are fully incorporated.
- Cook Custard: Place the pot over low heat and cook, stirring constantly to prevent curdling or burning, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. This process should take approximately 15 minutes.
- Finish Custard: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 3/4 cup of the toasted coconut along with the vanilla extract. Reserve the remaining toasted coconut for garnish.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the warm coconut custard into the baked pie shell, spreading it evenly.
- Chill Pie: Refrigerate the pie until the filling is completely firm, which will take about 4 hours.
- Add Topping and Garnish: Before serving, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the chilled custard and sprinkle the reserved toasted coconut on top as a decorative garnish.
Notes
- Toasting the coconut enhances the flavor and prevents the custard from tasting bland.
- Constant stirring during cooking prevents lumps and ensures a smooth custard texture.
- Allowing the pie to chill thoroughly helps the custard set properly for clean slices.
- For added flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of coconut extract along with vanilla extract.
- Use a pre-baked pie shell to avoid sogginess and reduce preparation time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: coconut cream pie, old fashioned pie, coconut custard pie, toasted coconut dessert, classic American pie, creamy coconut pie
