This is ‘the one’. It tastes like the ones you get at restaurants, but fresher, more decadent and sublimely rich. In my version that I’ll be keeping in my recipe book I halved the half-and-half and used 1 1/2 cups of coconut milk instead, which brings out that coconut flavor for sure. I used flour instead of the ‘suggestions’ of using cornstarch with great results. I also made my own whipped topping (1 carton of whipping cream, 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, and 1 teaspoon coconut extract.) Also made the very simple ‘Graham Cracker Crust’ submitted by Janaan Cunningham here on Allrecipes. Honestly the whole pie took about an hour to make, with very little effort. It will impress for sure! My tip for making the filling, think of Dory from ‘Finding Nemo’, just keep whisking, just keep whisking. It will be about 25 minutes, but you’ll feel it start to thicken up. Once it comes to a boil on low heat (once the bubbles break through, and it will take a little bit) its done. It should be thick like thick pudding. Just keep whisking! I should add I used a regular pot to cook it in and after pouring into the crust, it sat in the fridge overnight before I put the topping on.
Ingredients:
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
3 cups half-and-half
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and bake it, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, combine the half-and-half, eggs, sugar, flour and salt and mix well. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in 3/4 cup of the toasted coconut and the vanilla extract. Reserve the remaining coconut to top the pie.
Pour the filling into the pie shell and chill until firm, about 4 hours.
Top with whipped topping and with the reserved coconut.
From: allrecipes.com
