Lyons Family Cookbook

Coconut Cream Pie

--- CRUST ---

6

oz

animal crackers, Stauffer's Original animal crackers

2

Tbs

unsweetened shredded coconut, organic finely shredded for baking

1

Tbs

granulated sugar

4

Tbs

unsalted butter , melted and cooled

--- FILLING ---

1

can

(13.5 oz) coconut milk, unsweetened organic

1

cup

whole milk

1/2

cup

organic finely-shredded, unsweetened coconut

1/2

cup + 3T

granulated sugar

1

Tbs

granulated sugar

3/8

tsp

table salt

5

large egg yolks

1/4

cup

cornstarch

2

Tbs

unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces

1

tsp

vanilla extract

--- WHIPPED CREAM & GARNISH ---

1 1/2

cups

heavy cream (cold)

2

Tbs

granulated sugar

1/2

tsp

vanilla extract

1

Tbs

unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted in a small dry skillet until golden brown

1

FOR THE CRUST: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. In food processor, pulse animal crackers, coconut, and sugar to fine crumbs, eighteen to twenty 1-second pulses; then process until powdery, about 5 seconds. Transfer crumbs to medium bowl and add butter; stir to combine until crumbs are evenly moistened. Empty crumbs into 9-inch glass pie plate; using bottom of ramekin or 1/2 cup dry measuring cup, press crumbs evenly into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake until fragrant and medium brown, about 15 minutes, rotating pie shell halfway through baking time. Set on wire rack and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

2

FOR THE FILLING: Bring coconut milk, whole milk, shredded coconut, 1/2 cup +3T sugar, and salt to simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure that sugar dissolves. Whisk yolks, cornstarch, and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in medium bowl until thoroughly combined. Whisking constantly, gradually ladle about 1 cup hot milk mixture over yolk mixture; whisk well to combine. Whisking constantly, gradually add remaining milk mixture to yolk mixture in 3 or 4 additions; whisk well to combine. Return mixture to saucepan and cook until thickened and mixture reaches boil, whisking constantly, about 1 minute; filling must boil in order to fully thicken. (To determine whether filling has reached boil, stop whisking; large bubbles should quickly burst on surface.) Off heat, whisk in butter and vanilla until butter is fully incorporated. Pour hot filling into cooled pie shell and smooth surface with rubber spatula; press plastic wrap directly against surface of filling and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours.

3

FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM: Just before serving, beat cream, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixer until soft peaks form, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Top pie with whipped cream and then sprinkle with coconut. Cut pie into wedges and serve.

Light coconut milk lacks rich coconut flavor, so skip it in favor of regular coconut milk. A great coconut cream pie recipe ought to highlight the exotic and elusive flavor of tropical coconut. We used not-too-sweet animal crackers to create a delicate crust that wouldn’t overshadow the coconut filling. For added coconut flavor, we ground a couple of tablespoons of shredded coconut in the food processor along with the crackers. For the filling itself, we used a combination of coconut milk, whole milk, and unsweetened coconut, which softened up as it cooked.

Source

Source: Cooks Illustrated --- May 2004