Home cooking from a simpler time

Coconut Cream Pie

Pie Crust

1-1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup butter-flavored Crisco
1 TBL beaten egg
1 tsp cider vinegar
Water to make 1/4 cup liquid

Pie Filling

1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
5 large egg yolks
1 can (14 oz. each) coconut milk
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sweetened coconut
1 oz. (1/4 stick) butter
1 tsp vanilla

Whipped topping

1 tsp gelatin dissolved in 1/3 cup water
1-1/2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBL sugar

Process

For crust, mix dry ingredients, cut in cold shortening, and mix liquid in by hand. Roll and place dough in 9" pie pan. Fork crust liberally and weigh down with two spoons. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

For filling, mix cornstarch, salt, sugar, and egg yolks into a paste in a sauce pan. Stir in milk, coconut milk, and coconut and heat until it thickens and begins to boil. Stir in butter and vanilla. Fill crusts and chill to 40 degrees.

For topping, dissolve gelatin in water and cool to room temperature. Whip cream, vanilla, and sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in gelatin. Spread on pie and garnish with toasted coconut. Chill two to four hours.