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The Station Café's Coconut Cream Pie

Source of Recipe


The Station Café (San Antonio, Texas)



List of Ingredients



• Your favorite 9-inch pie crust, pre-baked
  
• .
  
• -- Custard Filling --
  
• ¾ cup sugar
  
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  
• Heavy pinch (about ¼ tsp) salt
  
• 3 eggs, separated
  
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
  
• ½ cup whole milk (or substitute half-and-half for an extra-delicious filling)
  
• Splash (about ¼ tsp) vanilla
  
• ¾ cup sweetened coconut
  
• .
  
• -- Topping --
  
• Lightly sweetened whipped cream or whipped topping, to taste
  
• ¼ cup toasted coconut *
  






Instructions



1. Bake pie crust and cool.
   
   
2. For Custard Filling:
   In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add the egg yolks to the pan; place the egg whites in the mixing bowl of an electric mixer. Whip the egg whites until smooth and fluffy and peaks have formed. Do not overbeat; the egg whites should remain shiny. Set aside in refrigerator.
   
   
3. Add the evaporated milk, whole milk, and vanilla to the saucepan. Whisk to blend the ingredients. Place over medium heat and whisk pudding constantly to prevent the mixture from forming as the custard begins to thicken. Be sure to get all the edges of the pan well. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring rapidly, and let boil for about 2 minutes or until the custard is thickened; it should look glossy, not chalky. (This means the cornstarch is thoroughly cooked.) This should take about 7 to 8 minutes.
   
   
4. Remove from the heat and immediately fold in the egg whites with a rubber spatula. The egg whites should be evenly mixed, with no traces of egg white. Lastly, fold in the coconut. Pour filling into the cooled pie crust, cover loosely, and chill until set.
   
   
5. For topping:
   Top the pie with lightly sweetened whipped cream, and a sprinkle of toasted coconut.
   
   Makes 8 servings.
   
   






Final Comments


* For the toasted coconut:
Toast in oven while crust is baking until golden brown, or about 12 to 15 minutes.