Description
A classic Southern dessert featuring silky vanilla custard loaded with sweet coconut, nestled in a flaky crust and topped with billowy whipped cream.
Ingredients
- Prepared pie crust (9-inch) – 1
- Whole milk – 2 cups
- Granulated sugar – 3/4 cup
- Cornstarch – 1/3 cup
- Salt – 1/4 teaspoon
- Egg yolks (large) – 4
- Unsalted butter – 2 tablespoons
- Vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons
- Sweetened shredded coconut – 1 1/2 cups
- Heavy whipping cream – 1 1/2 cups
- Powdered sugar – 3 tablespoons
- Toasted coconut for garnish – 1/2 cup
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 375°F and blind bake the pie crust with pie weights for 20 minutes, then remove weights and bake until golden brown. Cool completely.
- 2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until steaming. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
- 3. Lightly beat egg yolks, then temper by slowly adding hot milk while whisking constantly. Pour egg mixture back into saucepan.
- 4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 8-10 minutes.
- 5. Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla extract, and 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut until well combined.
- 6. Pour custard into cooled pie crust, press plastic wrap directly onto surface, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 7. Toast remaining 1/2 cup coconut at 325°F for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Cool completely.
- 8. Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread over chilled custard and garnish with toasted coconut.
- 9. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Use a hot, clean knife for clean slices.
Notes
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add whipped cream topping the day of serving for best results. For a deeper coconut flavor, substitute coconut milk for regular milk in the custard.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g