Coconut Banana Cream Pie

 

INGREDIENTS

Pie Crust:

• 1/2 Cup (1Stick) Butter
• 3 Cups Sweetened Flake Coconut

Pie Filling:

• 4 Egg Yolks
• 3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar~Divided
• 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
• 3 Cups Half and Half~Divided
• Yellow Food Coloring, Optional
• 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 Cups Sweetened Flake Coconut
• 2 Bananas, Firm But Ripe, Peeled and Cut Into 1/2 Thick Slices

Topping:

• 2 Cups Heavy Cream
• 3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup Sweetened Flake Coconut, Toasted and Cooled

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the Crust:

Spray a 9 inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large skillet, melt butter. Add coconut and continue to cook over medium heat until coconut just turns golden brown. Press the coconut into prepared pie plate. Chill the crust 30 minutes before filling.

Make the Filling:

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, salt and flour. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of half and half

In a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining 2 cups half and half and 1/2 cup sugar and bring just to a boil. Slowly stir in the egg mixture and continue to cook, stirring constantly until the mixture returns to a boil and thickens.

Remove from heat and add food coloring (if using), 2 teaspoons of vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of coconut, stirring until evenly combined. Pour into a bowl and cover the surface with plastic wrap (Plastic should be directly on the surface of the warm custard). Refrigerate for 4-6 hours.