Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

3 cups half-and-half
2 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup flaked coconut, toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked

1 container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1. In a medium saucepan, combine half-and-half, eggs, sugar, flour and salt. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in 3/4 cup of the coconut and the vanilla extract. Pour into pie shell and chill 2 to 4 hours, or until firm.
2. Top with whipped topping, and with remaining 1/4 cup of coconut.  
3. Note: To toast coconut, spread it in an ungreased pan and bake in a 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

(Toasting the coconut under Broil for about 3 minutes)

 (Before adding toasted coconut)

(After adding toasted coconut)

*D: I found this recipe here on Allrecipes.com. I asked my husband what he wanted for Christmas dinner and he requested coconut cream pie. I know his mom makes a coconut cream pie, but she was out of town. So I decided to just search for one. I was really lucky when I found this recipe. It was delicious! It was creamy and the coconut flavor was subtle.

Some of the reviews on the website suggest using coconut milk in connection with half and half (2 cups coconut milk, 1 cup half and half). My husband thinks the flavor would be too strong if we had done that, but I don't know.

I followed the recipe exactly. The only think I would caution you on is that my filling never boiled. But after being on the stove top for almost an hour, the consistency was nice and thick, so I decided it was probably done.

Don't forget your pie crust needs to be baked! I do not make my own pie crust, I buy from the store. Store bought crusts are not cooked. They are just dough. Instructions will be on the package, but basically you thaw the crust for 15 minutes, prick the sides and bottom with a fork, then bake in a pre-heated oven for 10 minutes. 

Seriously, this recipe is so good! It's creamy and delicious! The only thing that would make it better is a homemade crust and possibly home whipped cream instead of whipped topping from the store. But who knows. Pin It