Southern Coconut Cream Pie - cooking recipe

Ingredients

0.5 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups half-and-half
4 egg yolks
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, divided
2 cups whipping cream
1/3 cup sugar
toasted coconut (to garnish)

Preparation

Make and bake 1 piecrust according to directions for a one-cust pie.
Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Whisk together half-and-half and egg yolks. Gradually whisk egg mixture into sugar mixture; bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat.
Stir in butter, 1 cup coconut, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap, placing wrap directly on filling in pan. Let stand 30 minutes. Spoon custard mixture into pie crust, cover and chill 30 minutes or until set.
Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, beating until soft peaks form. Spread or pipe whipped cream over pie filling. Garnish with toasted coconut if desired. Store uneaten pie in refrigerator.