Coconut Cream Pie With Meringue Topping Recipes

Steps:

• In saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt.
• Gradually stir in milk until smooth.
• Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
• Gradually stir in 1 cup 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 heat; stir in chopped coconut, butter and vanilla until butter is melted.
• For meringue, in a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy.
• Add cream of tartar, beat until soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in sugar, 1 T at a time, on high until stiff peaks form.
• Pour hot filling into crust.
• Spread with meringue, sealing edges to crust.
• Sprinkle with flaked coconut.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour; chill for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Refrigerate leftovers.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir half-and-half, coconut milk, eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a saucepan; stirring constantly, slowly bring to a boil over low heat and cook until thick, about 30 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; fold 3/4 cup coconut into the mixture with the vanilla extract. Pour the coconut mixture into the baked pie crust.
• Beat egg whites in a glass or metal bowl until foamy. Gradually add cream of tartar and 6 tablespoons white sugar, continuing to beat until soft peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the egg whites will form soft mounds rather than a sharp peak. Spread egg white mixture over the pie. Sprinkle 1/2 cup coconut over the pie.
• Bake in preheated oven until the top is golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Move to a wire rack to cool until completely cooled to the touch, about 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Line crust with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 350°., In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; 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 longer. Remove from the heat; gently stir in vanilla and coconut. Pour into crust. , For meringue, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a small bowl, on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust. Sprinkle with coconut. , Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for 3 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Bake your pie shell according to the directions on the package.
• MAKING THE COCONUT CREAM.
• In a sauce pan beat egg yolks. add 1/2 cup evaporated milk mix well.
• add in the flour and mix then add the rest of the milk, water, sugar, Vanilla, coconut and butter stir together.
• Stirring constantly cook over medium heat until thick and creamy.
• pour into your baked pie shell,.
• MAKING THE MERINGUE TOPPING.
• *Egg whites need to be warm to room temp*.
• Place egg whites in a large mixing bowl, Add salt and vanilla extract. Beat on high until they just start to get thick.
• then begin adding the sugar in small quantities (Beating well between additions).
• Continue beating until stiff peaks form (You can test this by lifting up your beaters, peaks should be stiff and not curl over).
• spread over pie making sure it touches the crust all around other wise it will shrink, using a spoon touch spoon to meringue and and lift up to form nice peaks.
• place in oven at 350 for for 10-15 minutes for peaks to lightly brown.
• .(DO NOT OVER BAKE).
• chill and serve.

Steps:

• For the pie crust: Pulse the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor fitted with the metal blade until combined. Add the butter and pulse until it resembles yellow cornmeal mixed with bean-size bits of butter, about 10 times. Add the egg and pulse 4 to 5 times until the dough forms a ball. (If the dough is very dry add up to a tablespoon more of cold water.)
• Transfer the dough to a work surface. Form the dough into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour.
• Roll the dough on a lightly-floured surface into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan and trim the edges, leaving about an extra inch hanging over the edge. Tuck the overhanging dough underneath itself to form a thick edge that is even with the rim. Flute the edge as desired. Freeze the pie shell for 30 minutes.
• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Put a piece of parchment paper or foil over the pie shell and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake on a baking sheet on the center rack until the dough is set, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and lift the sides of the parchment to remove the beans. Continue baking until the pie shell is lightly golden brown, about 10 more minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
• For the filling: Whisk together the egg yolks, 1/4 cup of the milk and the cornstarch in a medium bowl until smooth and well combined. Stir together the remaining 3/4 cup milk, the half-and-half, sugar and kosher salt in a large saucepan. Heat over medium heat until barely simmering. Temper the egg yolks by slowly pouring the hot milk and cream into the egg yolks while continuing to whisk. Pour the custard back into the pan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the custard is very thick and smooth, about 5 minutes; it will be the consistency of a pudding. (If the filling has scrambled a bit, or doesn't look smooth, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a separate bowl before adding the coconut.) Stir in the butter until melted, then stir in the vanilla and shredded coconut. Spread the filling into the cooled pie crust. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pie and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
• For the meringue: Add the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and kosher salt to the bowl of a stand mixture fitted with the whisk attachment and whisk to combine. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture feels very hot to the touch. Transfer the bowl to the mixer and add the vanilla. Whisk on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Remove the plastic wrap from the pie and gently mound the meringue on top of the filling. Use an offset spatula to completely cover the filling and meet the crust all around the edges. (This will completely seal in the filling and help prevent weeping.) Use the offset spatula to form swirls and peaks in the meringue. Toast the meringue using a kitchen torch or broil in the oven until golden brown, keeping an eye on the meringue if broiling. Sprinkle all over with toasted coconut and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Prepare Basic Sweet Pie Crust as directed. Roll the dough into a circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Place dough in a 9-inch pie plate, trimming and crimping the edges as the dough is gently pressed into the pan. Line the pastry with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or beans. Bake until golden brown around sides and edges, about 15 minutes. Remove parchment paper and return the crust to the oven and bake until bottom of crust is pale golden, about 5 minutes longer. Set aside on a wire rack to cool.
• In a nonstick 1-quart saucepan, combine 3/4 cup sugar and 2 3/4 cups milk together. Bring the milk to boiling point and scald the milk. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the remaining milk, egg yolks, and cornstarch together. Whisk until smooth. Temper the egg yolk mixture into the scalded milk. Bring the mixture up to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes or until the mixture is thick, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the flaked coconut, vanilla and butter.
• Pour the filling into the prepared pie shell. Cover the pie with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Chill the pie completely, about 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Using an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until stiff with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Spread the meringue evenly over the top of the pie. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/3 cup coconut. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and cool. Alternately, top with fresh sweetened whipped cream and more toasted coconut.
• Sift the flour, sugar, and salt into a large bowl. Add the butter and shortening. Rub the fats between your fingertips and thumbs, or use a pastry blender, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. One tablespoon at a time, work in enough ice water just until the dough comes together, being careful not to over mix.
• Shape into a smooth ball of dough, flatten into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, and up to 2 days.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine 2/3 cup sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. 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; stir in 3/4 cup coconut and extracts., Place crust on a baking sheet; add filling and set aside., For meringue, combine cornstarch and remaining sugar in a small saucepan. Stir in water until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and clear. In a bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Pour hot sugar mixture in a slow, steady stream into egg whites, beating constantly until stiff peaks form., Spread meringue over hot filling, sealing edges to crust. Sprinkle with remaining coconut. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate until chilled.

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°. , Line unpricked crust with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice. Bake on a lower oven rack until edge is light golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove foil and weights; bake until bottom is golden brown, 3-6 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 350°., In a small heavy saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Gently stir in chopped coconut, butter and vanilla until butter is melted., For meringue, in a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until soft glossy peaks form., Transfer hot filling to crust. Spread meringue evenly over filling, sealing to edge of crust. Sprinkle with flaked coconut. Bake until meringue is golden, 12-15 minutes. Cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Bake prepared pie crust according to package directions. Cool before filling.
• Place coconut on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly browned. Cool.
• Pour cold milk into a large bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with electric mixer on lowest speed or by hand with whisk for 2 minutes. Reserve 2 TBS of toasted coconut to sprinkle on meringue topping. Stir remainder of coconut into the thickened pudding mix. Pour into pie crust.
• For meringue, beat egg whites, cream of tarter, and sugar with electric mixer on highest speed until stiff. Cover the pie filling to the edges of the crust. Sprinkle toasted coconut on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool and store pie in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to a 12-inch round, a bit less than 1/4 inch thick. Fit dough into a 9-inch pie plate. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, trim crust to a 1/2-inch overhang all around. Fold under overhang so it extends slightly beyond edge of pie plate. Crimp edge as desired. Prick dough all over with a fork. Brush rim of dough with beaten egg. Chill pie shell until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Line chilled pie shell with a round of parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until edges of crust just turn golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove parchment and pie weights. Return crust to oven, and continue baking until golden all over 15 to 20 minutes more. Place pie shell on a wire rack to cool completely. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
• Place Coconut Curls on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, tossing occasionally, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Prepare an ice bath; set aside. In a bowl, lightly whisk egg yolks; set aside. In a saucepan, whisk together coconut milk, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Bring to a simmer (do not boil), and cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Whisk a quarter of hot-milk mixture into egg yolks; whisk in remaining milk mixture. Strain into a clean saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until custard is thick and bubbles appear in center, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface to prevent a skin from forming. Set in ice bath until completely chilled, 30 to 35 minutes. (Filling can be kept in refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, up to 1 day.)
• Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (do not let bowl touch the water), or in the microwave. Stir until smooth, and set aside until cool to touch, stirring occasionally.
• Using a pastry brush, coat inside of cooled crust with melted chocolate. Place in refrigerator or freezer until firm to touch, about 10 minutes.
• Fill crust with coconut custard, spreading evenly with an offset spatula. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment, combine cream and confectioners' sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Using a small offset spatula, spread whipped cream on top of custard. Refrigerate pie at least 3 hours before serving. Garnish with toasted Coconut Curls and Chocolate Curls just before serving.

Steps:

• NOTE: FILLING IS ENOUGH FOR ONE 10 INCH PIE OR TWO 9 INCH PIES (IF PREPARING TWO 9-INCH PIES DOUBLE THE CRUST RECIPE GIVEN HERE). SELECT FRESH COCONUT (S) THAT ARE LARGE WITH SOFT EYES JUST SLIGHTLY DARKER THAN THE HUSK. SHAKE COCONUT AND SELECT THE ONE(S) WITH THE MOST WATER. (STEP 1): PREHEAT oven to 375°F with racks in upper and lower thirds; PUNCTURE soft eyes at end of coconut(s) with screwdriver using a hammer; SHAKE out coconut water into medium bowl until all is obtained (you'll need about 2 cups); PLACE coconut on low rack in oven and bake for 15 minutes; REMOVE coconut using oven mitts; REDUCE oven temperature to 350°F; FILTER reserved coconut water through mesh sieve into a medium saucepan; SET aside.
• WRAP coconut in towel and place on hard surface; HIT hard with a hammer; PRY out meat in large pieces with table knife or wide blade screwdriver; REMOVE brown skin with vegetable peeler; RINSE coconut pieces.
• BAKE coconut pieces in glass baking dish on top oven rack for 40 minutes at 350°F; TURN pieces over using tongs and bake for an additional 40 minutes. REMOVE from oven; TURN oven off.
• INTO a small saucepan add the strained coconut water (with additional water if necessary to make 2 cups liquid); ADD 1 cup sugar, 4 tablespoons coconut rum, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 pinch kosher salt; ADD coconut pieces and bring to a boil; COVER and reduce heat to medium; SET timer for 40 minutes; BEGIN preparing Flaky Butter Crust (following step). CHECK coconut syrup and from heat when it has turned golden color and has reduced (about 45 minutes); REMOVE coconut pieces with tongs, shaking off syrup; MEASURE syrup, adding water if necessary to make 3/4 cup; RETURN syrup to saucepan; RINSE coconut pieces in a strainer with warm water; SET coconut aside until ready to grate.
• PREPARE THE CRUST: Measure 1 cup flour, 1/2 tablespoon confectioners' sugar and 1 pinch kosher salt into bowl of food processor. Process on high for 5 seconds. Grate 1 stick chilled salted butter into small strips and add to flour. Process for 5 seconds. Mix 3/4 teaspoon natural coconut rum and 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract with 2 tablespoons ice water and pour evenly over mixture. Process on high for 5 seconds. Add remaining 1/3 cup flour. Process high for 5 seconds. Place mixture on flat surface covered with waxed paper. Roughly mold into disc shape. Cover dough with waxed paper and roll just until dough is an evenly thick circle, about 1/8-inch thick or less. Remove top half of waxed paper. Turn dough-side down into 10-inch deep dish pie plate. Peel away remaining waxed paper. Fit dough evenly into pan without pressing too hard in any area.Trim pastry slightly larger than the pan and flute edges using forefinger and thumbs (if dough becomes too soft, temper in the freezer for 2 minutes and continue until finished). Lightly move a rolling pin over top surface of finished fluted edge to give a uniform appearance; Pierce dough with fork every 2-3 inches over pie plate surface and place into freezer for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F Remove shell from freezer. Place small, light butter plate over middle of frozen dough. Bake shell for 15 minutes. Remove small plate from center of crust with tongs. Baste with melted butter if desired and conitinue baking until crust is light golden-brown, about 5-10 additional minutes. Remove shell. Leave oven on at 375°F Cool shell on cooling rack. Cover lightly and refrigerate until needed.
• SELECT a grate for fine-shred on hand-held or food processor blade grater, that will create coconut flakes about the size of commercial flaked coconut. GRATE 1 cup fresh coconut; DIVIDE and set aside.
• POUR 3 cups milk into cooled COCONUT SYRUP in medium saucepan; WHISK in 5 tablespoons cornstarch then add 3 egg yolks until well blended and consistent; ADD 1/2 cup coconut flakes, 4 tablespoons butter, 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut rum, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 small pinch kosher salt if needed (optional); BRING to a boil, whisking bottom of saucepan constantly to avoid lumping as mixture thickens, boiling 1 minute until mixture is smooth and stays on a spoon (about the consistency of a creamy pudding or fondue); POUR slightly cooled mixture into chilled pie shell; COVER loosely and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• PREHEAT oven to 250°F; TOSS remaining 1/2 cup coconut flakes with 2 teaspoons confectioners sugar and a pinch of salt; TOAST coconut in a baking dish on top oven rack, for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally to avoid scorching (coconut should be an even light golden-brown color when done, do not over-toast coconut); TOSS coconut with 1 teaspoon granulated sugar.
• WHIP 1 1/2 cups heavy cream using an electric mixer on high speed, while gradually adding 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, until cream begins to thicken; ADD 3/4 teaspoon coconut rum and 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; CONTINUE whipping until cream is thick, light and fluffy but not overbeaten (you want whipped cream, not butter!). CAREFULLY spread whipped cream on cooled pie using a frosting spatula, leaving crust untouched, decorating in swirls; SPRINKLE cooled coconut over whipped cream on pie to garnish.
• GET READY for a little slice of heaven!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar and salt. In another bowl, whisk oil and milk. Gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until moistened (mixture will be crumbly). Press onto bottom and up sides of an ungreased 9-in. pie plate. Bake 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., For filling, in a heavy saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter, coconut and vanilla., For meringue, in a bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add marshmallow creme, beating on high speed. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form., Transfer hot filling to crust. Spread meringue evenly over filling, sealing to edge of crust. Sprinkle with coconut. Bake 12-15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, flour and salt over a medium heat; gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Reduce heat to low and cook 2 minutes more. Remove the pan from heat.
• Place a strainer over a clean mixing bowl; set aside.
• Beat the egg yolks slightly. Gradually pour 1 cup of the hot custard mixture into yolks, whisking constantly. Return the egg mixture to the saucepan and bring the entire mixture to a gentle boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes before removing the pan from heat. Immediately pour custard through the strainer.
• Stir butter, vanilla, and coconut into the hot mixture. Pour the hot filling into the baked pie crust. Cool and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• In a 2 quart saucepan combine sugar, coconut milk and 1 cup of whole milk.
• Scald mixture over medium heat and set aside.
• In a small mixing bowl whisk remaining 1/2 cup milk and cornstarch together to make a slurry.
• In a separate small mixing bowl combine egg yolks and salt, mixing well.
• Temper egg yolks by adding 1/2 cup of the scalded milk mixture to yolks whisking constantly.
• Pour yolk mixture and slurry mixture into scalded milk mixture in saucepan and whisk vigorously over medium heat until it comes to a boil.
• Cook until thickened about 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add coconut, vanilla and butter.
• Stir until uniformly incorporated.
• Pour into cooled pie shell.
• Spoon meringue on top spreading to the outer edge of the pie shell.
• Sprinkle 2 tbsp of coconut on meringue.
• Bake at 325 for approximately 10 minutes or until meringue is very lightly browned.
• Let stand at room temperature for about one hour then refrigerate.
• Meringue:.
• Combine egg whites, Cream of Tarter and vanilla extract.
• Beat on high with electric mixer until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add sugar about 2 tbsp at a time while beating egg whites.
• Continue to beat until stiff glossy peaks form.

Steps:

• Make the crust: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut margarine and butter into small pieces and add to bowl. Working quickly using a knife or pastry blender, cut flour and fat together until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Sprinkle water over surface, mixing it quickly just until dough forms a smooth ball. Flatten dough into a disc. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll one piece chilled dough on a floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan (refrigerate the other piece of pastry for another occasion). Fold over edges and pinch all around. Line pastry with parchment paper and weigh it down with dried beans or pebbles. Blind-bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove paper and weights. Return crust to oven to bake for 5 more minutes or until light golden-brown.
• Make the filling: In a bowl that will fit over a pan of boiling water (or in a double boiler), combine the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Heat milk in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until small bubbles appear at the edges. Using a whisk to stir, pour scalded milk into flour mixture and cook over medium heat until it thickens, 3-4 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and add 1/2 cup hot custard mixture. Whisk egg yolk mixture back into custard (still on the stove top). Blend in butter and vanilla. Cook 6 minutes more. Remove from heat. Fold in 1 cup coconut.
• Spoon custard filling into the cooked piecrust. Smooth it out evenly. Chill thoroughly, until set.
• In a large bowl, whip egg whites until stiff. Add superfine sugar, pinch of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar and continue to whip for 2 minutes until glossy and stiff peaks are formed.
• Spread meringue over filling. Torch with kitchen blow torch or broil until meringue is lightly browned.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Cover and refrigerate until easy to handle, about 15 minutes., On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to fit a 5-in. pie plate. Transfer to pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges. Line unpricked crust with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil., Bake at 450° for 5 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack., For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, milk and egg yolks. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in coconut and butter. Pour into crust., For meringue, in a small bowl, beat egg white and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust., Bake at 350° until meringue is golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Garnish with additional shredded coconut if desired.,

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and bake it, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the half-and-half, eggs, sugar, flour and salt and mix well. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in 3/4 cup of the toasted coconut and the vanilla extract. Reserve the remaining coconut to top the pie.
• Pour the filling into the pie shell and chill until firm, about 4 hours.
• Top with whipped topping and with the reserved coconut.