Coconut Cream Cheese Pie

Both The Captain and I are big fans of desserts that include cream cheese . . . we are definitely making the pie this week!  

This recipe from Kraft.com is quick and easy . . . only 15 minute prep time!  

Please note the substitutions at the end of the recipe for flavor variations, how to make a lower fat version and how to toast coconut.

Ingredients:

48 vanilla wafers, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)

1/4 cup butter, melted

1-1/4 cups BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, divided

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, divided

2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding (see substitutes at the end of recipe)

2 cups plus 1 Tbsp. cold milk, divided

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping

1 Tbsp. sugar




Directions:


Heat oven to 350º F.

Combine wafer crumbs, butter and 1/4 cup coconut. 

Press into bottom of 9-inch pie plate. 

Bake 10 minutes. 

Cool.

Microwave cream cheese in bowl on HIGH 10 seconds or just until softened.  Stir until creamy. 

Beat pudding mixes and 2 cups milk in large bowl with whisk for 2 minutes. 

Add half the cream cheese and mix well. Stir in 3/4 cup of the remaining coconut and 1 cup COOL WHIP.  Pour into crust.

Add sugar and remaining milk to remaining cream cheese and mix well. Stir in remaining COOL WHIP and spread over pie. 

Refrigerate 3 hours. 

Toast remaining coconut.
Sprinkle toasted coconut over pie just before serving.




Substitutions:

Prepare using 

JELL-O Coconut Cream Flavor Instant Pudding 
. . . or . . . 
JELL-O SIMPLY GOOD Vanilla Bean Flavor Pudding

For a lower fat version, substitute low fat or no fat milk and cream cheese.  I have used them in many recipes and can barely notice the difference.



How to Toast Coconut:

Spread BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut evenly in shallow baking pan. 

Bake at 350°F for 7 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. 

Or, spread in microwave pie plate. 

Microwave on HIGH 3 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring every minute. 

Watch carefully as coconut can easily burn!



Recipe and Photo Source

Double Coconut Cream Pie

1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
1 8 ounce can cream of coconut (3/4 cup)
3 beaten egg yolks
2 tbl. margarine
1 cup flaked coconut
2 tsp. vanilla
1-9" baked pastry shell
3 egg whites
½ tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbl. flaked coconut

For filling:
In a medium saucepan combine first 1/3 cup sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir
in milk and cream of coconut. Cook and stir over medium heat till thickened
and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Gradually stir about 1 cup of the
hot milk mixture into the beaten egg yolks, stirring constantly. Return all
the mixture to saucepan. Cook and stir till bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes
more. Remove from heat. Stir in margarine till melted. Stir in 1 cup coconut
and 2 tsp. vanilla. Pour filling into baked pastry shell.

For meringue:
Let egg whites stand at room temp. for 30 minutes. In a mixing bowl beat egg
whites, ½ tsp. vanilla, and cream of tartar on medium speed of electric
mixer till soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tbl.
at a time, till stiff peaks form. Evenly spread meringue over hot filling;
seal to pastry edge. Sprinkle with 2 tbl. coconut.

Bake in 350°F oven for 15 minutes. Cool for 1 hour on wire rack. Cover and chill 3-6 hours before serving.