Southern classic recipes are the best! So are southern pies.
my Story behind pie making
There seems to be a story behind many of our favorite foods even a coconut custard pie.
My husband likes pies with whipped cream or meringue on the top. I don’t make them.
I think I was intimidated by the sky high meringue some pie makes I knew!
weekly pies by my mom
My mom made a pie each week. She only made 2 types and they were absolutely delicious! Apple and Cherry. There might be ice cream for the cherry but there was only a slice of cheddar cheese for the apple.
Years ago I found I could not measure up to many of the wonderful southern cooks who always brought stunningly beautiful and delicious pies to pot lucks and served to top off a great meal. My specialities lay elsewhere.
Southern classic coconut pie recipe
One Christmas I ran across a blog, Add a Pinch. I read a few recipes and knew this woman HAD to be a southerner. She posted recipes that mirrored many of my own family recipes.
Turns out Robyn is a southern woman from several generations of southern women! I am too!
She had a pie recipe that I knew would make my poor deprived husband drool. Shh, I had to change the name because he only wanted coconut custard pie.
new pie traditions
That Christmas dinner, I asked Jessica, our soon to be daughter in law. She is a very good cook and was willing to make the pie. Last Thanksgiving she made an incredible apple pie. See here for that recipe.
Meg often pitches in too. She love to bake.
So she did make that pie. It was so good she had to make another pie the very next day!
Just little overboard.
behind the scene pie story
There is more behind the story. Over the years we have hosted many people on holidays who were from home, like we were for many years. I would ask what is a favorite dish on this holiday? Then I try to add that to the meal.
I thought I asked Jessica but I don’t think I did that year.
When I asked her to make the pie she told me it was one she and her mom had at Christmas!
They added bananas which we left out. It is now part of our best menu choices.
It’s a new tradition. A very delicious tradition!
Coconut Custard Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust recipe or graham cracker crust recipe
- Pie Topping:
- 1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut
- Custard:
- 1 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cup half & half
- 5 egg yolks microwave the whites for the dogs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 4 tbls cornstarch
- 1 tbls butter
- 1 1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut freeze left over, keeps beautifully
- 1 1/2 teas vanilla
- Whipped Topping:
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teas vanilla
Instructions
- Prepare crust according to instructions
- Topping:
- Spread coconut evenly on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes until coconut just starts to turn toasty brown
- Set aside to cool
- Custard:
- Pour together coconut milk & half & half in liquid missing cup
- Whisk in egg yolks
- In a heavy bottom sauce pan, add sugar , cornstarch.
- Over med-low heat slowly add while whisking in egg & milk mixture
- Whisk constantly!
- Constant stirring will prevent scorching or curdling of custard mixture
- Bring custard mix to a boil.
- Continue to stir constantly using a wooden spoon or heat resisting spatula
- Boil for ONE minute
- Remover from heat
- Add butter, coconut and salt blending well
- Spread custard mix into cooled pie shell
- Cover lightly with plastic wrap pushing wrap lightly close over custard mixture and refrigerate for 30 – 45 minutes
- It will not make a firm set; this is custard
- Whipped Topping
- Add sugar to whipping cream in a large bowl
- Whisk with electric mixer until stiff peaks form
- Add vanilla; whisk until blended in
- Spread off cooled custard pie
- Sprinkle cool toasted coconut evenly over top
- Enjoy!
This pie makes a beautiful presentation but once you cut, the yummy custard covers your plate for a “very m m m m” satisfying taste! Remember it is so good we had to have another one the very next day!
What recipe is your family’s favorite?
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Donna says
Great story! Sounds like your family enjoys making happy memories during the holidays! Your pie sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing!
Rachel - Tea and forget-me-nots says
Aww I love that story and it sounds like you have such a wonderful family too.
bushel and a pickle says
Thanks! And I sure am blessed with our family.
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Enjoy your new Red Plate and have a great weekend.
Miz Helen
JessicaJ says
I love coconut, I love custard, and I love pie. Therefore, this recipe sounds delish! Yum!
bushel and a pickle says
I like your logic! Thanks for stopping by! Linda
Bill, Uncle Bill says
Okay I admit it, I ate the last slice from the first pie for breakfast. Couldn’t admit it while everyone was still fuming about what happened to the last of the pie. Glad Jess made two the second time.
bushel and a pickle says
Ah Ha! So you were the one! Yes, glad Jess made more. Have a good day Bill.