Coconut Cream Pie

INGREDIENTS

• Servings: 6-8
• Crust:
• 1 sleeve (18) graham crackers
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• Filling:
• 1/2 cup flour or 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 cups milk
• 4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup coconut
• Topping:
• 1 tablespoon coconut
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS

1. Place graham crackers in food processor and pulse chop until mixture is fine. Stir in sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter and mix until incorporated.
2. Press graham cracker mixture into a 9" pie plate. Bake in preheated oven for 6-9 minutes, or until edges turn golden. Allow crust to cool completely.
3. In medium saucepan, whisk together the flour or cornstarch and the sugar. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Heat over medium heat until mixture starts to thicken and bubble. Beat 1 cup of the pudding into the egg yolks and then add the yolks to the pudding in the pan. Continue to cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla, and coconut. Pour coconut pudding into the cooled crust, place plastic wrap on top of the pudding and chill for several hours.
4. Place 1 tablespoon coconut on a non-stick piece of foil and put in toaster oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown (watch carefully--it can burn quickly). Set aside.
5. Whip whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla. Top the chilled pie with the whipping cream and sprinkle with the toasted coconut.