Celebrate National Pie Day with Coconut Cream Pie

January 23rd is National Pie Day and what better way to celebrate the day than a delicious Coconut Cream Pie.  This creamy pie has another surprise a layer of chocolate on the bottom.

Here is the Wikipedia definition of a pie: A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savoury ingredients.

Here are a few facts about the pie:

• The pie is America’s favorite dessert
• The average American eats six slices of pie a year
• Pie has been around since the ancient Egyptians
• Pie came to America with the first English settler

Coconut Cream Pie with Chocolate

Coconut Filling
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate, melted
1 baked pie shell
14 ounces coconut milk
1 cup milk
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 large egg yolks
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped Topping
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut, toasted

Spread chocolate on the bottom of the baked pie shell and set aside.

Bring coconut milk, milk, ½ cup shredded coconut, ½ cup sugar and salt to simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure sugar dissolves.

Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch and 1 tablespoon sugar in medium bowl until thoroughly combined.  Whisking constantly, gradually ladle about 1 cup hot milk mixture over egg yolk mixture; whisk well to combine.  Whisking constantly, gradually add remaining milk mixture to yolk mixture in 3-4 additions; whisk well to combine.

Return mixture to saucepan and cook until thickened and mixture reaches a boil, whisking constantly, about 1 minute; filling must boil in order to fully thicken. Large bubbles should quickly burst on surface.

Off heat, whisk in butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla until butter is fully incorporated.  Pour hot filling into pie shell and smooth surface; press plastic wrap directly against surface of filling and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.

Just before serving, beat heavy cream, 2 Tbsp sugar and ½ tsp vanilla with electric mixer until soft peaks form about 1 ½ – 2 minutes.  Top pie with whipped cream topping and then sprinkle with toasted coconut.