Today I’m celebrating Dads around the world for Father’s Day. I’m celebrating mine with Coconut Cream Pudding. My dad loves food. He’ll try anything I make at least once then goes back for seconds (I can’t convince him to eat sushi or stuffed calamari though. And he doesn’t like catfish). Whenever I think of him, coconut comes to mind. And it had to be a dessert. I bounced back and forth between ideas then finally decided on this pudding.
This pudding is literally coconut cream pie but without the pie part. Want to know why I hate pie? Back around Easter, I was looking up dessert ideas. As soon as I showed my dad the picture for coconut cream pie, he immediately said yes. I was nervous because years ago, I attempted a lemon meringue pie. The filling never set, so it was liquid pie (fail 1). Then back in March, I made a graham cracker pie (think vanilla pudding pie). The meringue on top came out beautifully, so I let it cool on the counter before putting it in the fridge. When I checked on it, the meringue had deflated, and there was a pool of liquid (guessing egg whites) sitting on top of the pudding layer (fail 2). For Easter, I made the filling for the coconut cream pie, and it thickened up quite nicely. Guess what? When I cut into the pie, it never quite firmed up and oozed out everywhere (fail 3). That, my friends, is why this moose doesn’t make pie.
The coconut cream pie filling was divine though – very rich and creamy and everything you shouldn’t be eating. I told everyone it ended up being pudding with pie chunks in it, which gave me the idea that someday I should just make the filling and skip the pie. I’m also not a fan of pie crust. Most of the time, I just end up eating the filling and leaving the crust anyway, so this little cup of joy is perfect for pie-haters like me.
I topped it with some whipped cream and toasted coconut.
This one’s for you, Dad.
Coconut Cream Pudding
Yield: 2
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened dried coconut
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the coconut onto a baking sheet and into the oven. Toast the coconut, stirring it every 5 minutes or until it is lightly brown. Remove and set aside. Reserve 2 Tbsp for garnish.
- Meanwhile, place the coconut milk into a medium saucepan and stir if necessary (the solid and liquid may have separated in the can). Bring just to a boil. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
- In a large bowl, beat the sugar and egg yolks at medium-high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and beat in flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually pour in the warm coconut milk. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook until it boils and thickens. Boil 1 more minute. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter until melted. Stir in the toasted coconut and vanilla.
- Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and let cool to room temperature. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- After the pastry cream has chilled, whisk the cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks hold when the beaters are lifted. Reserve 1/2 cup whipped cream for garnish then fold the rest into the pastry cream. Chill the pudding and reserved whipped cream for at least 30 minutes. Before serving, top with whipped cream and reserved toasted coconut.
Source: Adapted from Luscious Coconut Desserts by Lori Longbotham
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
This recipe more than makes up for any failed attempts. It looks creamy and perfect!
Renee says
My dad would have loved this pudding. Coconut was one of his favorites. He always requested coconut cake or pie for dessert.
Pam @ The Meltaways says
You and I should create the crustless pie club – I can’t make crust, so we’d get along beautifully : ) This looks delicious – I need to pin it for hubby & my Dad both!
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
Let’s make a deal. I try cheesecake and you try pie.
Also, I’m going to be making this. OMG, Carla. This looks amazing!
Soni says
Oooh I’m drooling just looking at your amazing pics!!Love this yummy pudding and I HAVE to try it for sure :)
Sarah says
And taste is what always prevails! Enjoy!
Sofie Dittmann @thegermanfoodie says
Are those green cups cute or WHAT?! I adore coconut!!!
Liz says
Pie crust is my nemesis, so this looks like the perfect solution! I love coconut desserts…mmmmmmm.
patsy says
I love the idea of skipping the crust! I keep wanting to make beautiful pies, but the crust never cooperates… this is waaaaay better!
Isabelle @ Crumb says
Pie crust is totally overrated anyways… most of the time, I just scoop out the filling and eat it on its own. :) Love the sound of this pudding. Coconut is a big favourite of mine!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Pie can be complicated. I had trouble with my strawberry pie. I made it three times and the darn thing wouldn’t firm up. It was all loosey goosey on the inside. Granted, it tasted good, but it was more like soup.
I love your idea to put it in a mug and eat it like pudding. This sure does look divine.
Hezzi-D says
This looks delicious. I love coconut cream and I’m sure it’s fabulous in pudding form!
Megan's Cookin' says
How funny Moosey, I was just looking at coconut pudding recipes. I’ll have to try this one. And don’t worry Moosey, pie is overrated, cupcakes is where it’s at!!! ;)
Noelle says
Looks yummy! I did a chocolate coconut milk pudding recently and it was so good, but I’ve been wanting to do something without chocolate. This looks great! Can’t wait to try. :)
Joy says
The pudding looks great.
Joan [email protected] and more says
Carla, this sounds perfect! I’m not a big pie fan either, mainly because they get sloppy when you serve them, hehe. Love the toasted coconut on top! Pinned!
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Kim Bee says
Okay simply put, I adore you. And your pudding. Yup, pure bliss.
Sunithi says
Love cooking with anything coconut , so this is right up my alley ! Lovely pics :)
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kelly @ kellybakes says
My dad won’t touch coconut, but I will… these sound fantastic. I love your overhead shots, too. Bookmarking these guys for a #treatyoself kinda day ;)
Sandi says
Thank You!!!! Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a good coconut cream pudding recipe? I have no idea why this has never shown up in one of my searches (at least on the first couple pages), Google popped it up #1 this time. Will be trying it tomorrow. Thanks again.