Coconut Cream Pie

hisfavoritemavis's Note:

This is Martha's recipe. It was delicious and not too horrible to make. The best part is the super crispy, macaroon crust.

• Total Time: 4 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

Filling

• 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 large egg yolks
• 2⁄3; cup freshly grated coconut or 2⁄3; cup desiccated coconut
• 1 tablespoon pure coconut extract

Topping

• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup shaved coconut , for garnish (optional)

Crust

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate , melted
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 ½ cups desiccated coconut
• 1 pinch salt
• nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly coat a 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray; set aside. Place remaining ingredients in a medium bowl, and use your hands to mix until well combined.
2. Press mixture into bottom and all the way up sides of prepared pie plate. Bake until firm but not yet browning, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Crust can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap.
3. Filling: In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Bring almost to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, 3 to 4 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, lightly whisk egg yolks just until frothy.
4. Whisk one-fourth of the hot-milk mixture into egg yolks; return the mixture to saucepan. Whisking constantly, cook until bubbles appear around the edges, about 1 minute. Stir in grated coconut and coconut extract. Transfer to a large bowl; let stand about 15 minutes.
5. Pour filling into the prepared crust. Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight. Whip cream and spread on top; garnish with toasted coconut, if using.

Reviews

[Chef #1281603]

Absolutely delicious!!! I made this for Thanksgiving instead of a pecan pie. Everyone loved it! You are right, the crust is wonderful! I knew we would want to sample it before Thanksgiving, so I made 1½ recipe (yes, I cut one yolk in half). I used the extra to make 3 individual 6 oz servings. My husband suggested all single servings instead of a whole pie next time.... easier to dig into, just grab & go.
I tried to find "pure" coconut extract, went to 2 grocery stores & didn't have time to travel to a specialty grocery store so I settled for imitation. I used fat free cool whip in place of the heavy cream to save a few calories (and time). This pie will be a new Thanksgiving tradition. Thanks!