Delicious Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

Coconut cream pie is one of my very favorite summer desserts.  I had never made one before until just recently, and it turned out so yummy that I wanted to share the recipe.  (This is NOT my recipe, I found it on www.myrecipes.com, at this link).

This is my finished pie:

Coconut Cream Pie

Crust:
1/2 (15 ounce) package of refrigerated pie crusts

Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups half and half (I used 2% milk, and it worked)
4 egg yolks
3 tablespoons of butter
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
vanilla

Whipped Cream Topping:
2 cups of heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar
Toasted coconut for garnish

Fit 1 piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp. Prick bottom and sides of piecrust with a fork. Bake according to package directions for a one-crust pie.  (*I used a packaged graham cracker crust pie because I couldn't find quite what I needed.  It turned out fine I thought, so you could really use either*). 

Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Whisk together half-and-half and egg yolks. Gradually whisk egg mixture into sugar mixture; bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat.  (*I didn't have any half-and-half because I forgot to buy any!  I used 2% milk and I thought it worked fine.  Might have been even better with the half-and-half?*). 

Stir in butter, 1 cup coconut, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap, placing plastic wrap directly on filling in pan; let stand 30 minutes. Spoon custard mixture into prepared crust, cover and chill 30 minutes or until set.

Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, beating until soft peaks form. Spread or pipe whipped cream over pie filling. Garnish, if desired. (*This made quite a bit more whipped cream than I needed.  I couldn't find any toasted coconut at the store.  I put a small amount of shredded coconut in a small nonstick skillet and tossed it around on medium heat until it was browned*).