Creamy Coconut Pie

By Late2Serenity

Hands-on time:
15 mins. to 20 mins.

Baking time:
6 mins. to 8 mins.

Total time:
2 hrs to 3 hrs

Yield:
one 9" pie

Ingredients

• CRUST
• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted (3/4 stick)
• FILLING
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup coconut milk powder
• 1 tablespoon Instant ClearJel
• 2 Tablespoons Pastry Cream Filling Mix
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/8 teaspoon extract strong coconut flavoring (optional but very good)
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut, divided

Details

Adapted from kingarthurflour.com

Preparation

Step 1

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9" pie pan with cooking spray.

2)Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Mix until the texture is that of wet sand and holds together when squeezed. Press evenly into the prepared pie pan, covering the bottom and sides.

3) Bake the crust for 6-8 minutes, just until it barely begins to brown. Set aside to cool completely.

4)To prepare the filling, sift together the coconut milk powder, Instant ClearJel, Pastry Cream Filling mix and sugar.

5) Place the heavy cream and coconut flavoring in a chilled bowl.

6) Begin whipping the cream. When the cream begins to thicken sprinkle in the dry coconut mixture. Continue whipping the cream until thickened.

7) Gently fold in 1/2 cup of the shredded coconut. Spoon the filling into the cooled pie shell. Top with the remaining shredded coconut. Chill for at least two hours, or overnight. Serve cold.



To make an almond graham crust, use 2/3 cup almond flour and 2/3 cup graham crumbs, along with the butter and sugar. Bake as directed.

For a chocolate almond coconut pie, make a ganache (5 ounces semisweet chocolate in 5 ounces hot cream, stirred until smooth). Chill and whip the ganache and spread into the cooled crust. Sprinkle with slivered almonds, then top with the coconut filling. Chill well, serve cold.

Instant vanilla pudding mix can be equally substituted for the pastry cream filling mix, though the flavor will not be quite as rich.