BEST COCONUT CREAM PIE

Best Coconut Cream Pie image

This is the absolute best coconut cream pie recipe. The filling is my mother-in-law's and the crust is mine. My husband and son say they like it better than any other pie I've ever made. -Nancy Jo Leffler, DePauw, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 1h10m

Yield 2 pies (6-8 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 22

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Ingredients

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup shortening
1 egg, separated
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold water, divided
FILLING:
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Dash salt
6 cups 2% milk
8 egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coconut extract
MERINGUE:
6 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1-1/2 cups water
8 egg whites
Additional sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine egg yolk and 1/2 cup cold water; gradually add to crumb mixture, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour., Divide dough in half. Roll out each portion to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Place in plates; trim pastry even with edge. With a small round fluted cutter, cut small circles out of dough scraps. Beat egg white with remaining water; brush over edges of pastry. Arrange dough cutouts around edge., Line unpricked pastry shells with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks., For filling, in a large saucepan, combine sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir for 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; gently stir in coconut and extracts. Pour filling into pastry shells., For meringue, combine the sugar, cornstarch and water in a saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until clear. , In a large bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Pour hot sugar mixture in a small stream into egg whites, beating constantly until stiff peaks form., Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving., Sprinkle with toasted coconut before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 441 calories, Fat 18g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 123mg cholesterol, Sodium 165mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (39g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 9g protein.