Makes one 9" pie
Canned coconut milk is a thick blend of coconut meat and water, not to be mistaken for coconut juice, which is the liquid found inside a coconut.
Ingredients
Crust:
6 ounces shortbread cookies 1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted Filling: 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes 2/3 cup granulated sugar Pinch salt 5 large egg yolks 1/4 cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract Topping: 1 1/4 cups heavy cream 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract 2/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes
Directions
1. For crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F; set oven rack to lower-middle position. In food processor, pulse cookies, coconut flakes, and butter until fine crumbs form. Press crumbs into bottom and sides of a 9-inch-glass pie dish. Bake 15 minutes, until medium brown, rotating pie shell halfway through baking time. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
2. For filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring coconut milt, whole milk, coconut flakes, sugar, and salt to a simmer, stirring often so that sugar dissolves. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk yolks and cornstarch until thoroughly combined. Slowly pour 1 cup hot-milk mixture into yolk mixture; whisk well to combine. Whisking constantly, gradually add remaining milk mixture in 4 additions. Pour mixture back into saucepan over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and reaches a full boil. 4. Remove pan from heat; whisk in butter, vanilla, and coconut extract. Pour hot filling into cooled pie shell. Press plastic wrap directly against surface of filling. Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours. 5. For topping: Just before serving, beat cream, sugar, and coconut extract in a large bowl with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Spread over chilled pie; sprinkle with coconut flakes. Serve cold.
Tip: Be sure not to buy cream of coconut instead. It is a sweetened coconut milk and is used mostly for drinks.
Recipe from "
Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Cookbook."