LEMON CLOUD PIE IN A COCONUT CRUST

Lemon Cloud Pie in a Coconut Crust image

Provided by Pat DiMercurio @javancookie

Categories Pies

Number Of Ingredients 13

CRUST
2 cup(s) shredded or flaked coconut
1/4 cup(s) melted butter
FILLING
3/4 cup(s) granulated white sugar
3 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
1 cup(s) water
1 teaspoon(s) grated lemon peel
1/4 - 1/3 cup(s) lemon juice (this is the amount of 1 squeezed lemon)
2 - egg yolks (reserve whites)
3 ounce(s) cream cheese (1 small pkg.)
2 - egg whites ( that were reserved)
1/4 cup(s) sugar

Steps:

For the crust: combine coconut and melted butter and pat into a 9" pie pan on bottom & sides of pan. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown. Cool.
In saucepan, combine 3/4 c. sugar, cornstarch, water, lemon peel, lemon juice and slightly beaten egg yolks. Beat with rotary beater until well blended.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture just begins to bubble. Remove from heat. Add cream cheese; stir until well combined. Cool while preparing meringue.
In small mixer bowl, beat reserved egg whites at high speed until foamy. Gradually add 1/4 c. sugar, beating until meringue holds stiff peaks.
Fold into lemon mixture. Spoon into prepared crust. At this point, garnish with a small amount of toasted coconut. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours before serving