FAMILY CREAMPIE RECIPE

Steps:

• Prepare Baked Pastry Shell. Separate egg yolks from egg whites. Set aside yolks for filling and whites for meringue.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare Meringue for Pie before preparing filling; set aside meringue.
• For filling, in a medium saucepan stir together sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in half-and-half. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly; reduce heat. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.
• Gradually stir about 1 cup of the hot mixture into egg yolks; return to remaining hot mixture in saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly; reduce heat. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla.
• Pour hot filling into baked pastry shell. Immediately spread meringue over filling, sealing to edge of pastry. Using the back of a spoon, swirl meringue to form high, decorative peaks. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and a thermometer registers 160°F.* Cool on a wire rack 1 1/2 hours. Chill 3 to 6 hours before serving; cover pie or longer storage.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450°F. Make pie crust as directed on box for One-Crust Baked Shell using 9-inch glass pie plate. Cool completely.
• Meanwhile, in large heavy saucepan, mix 1/2 cup sugar and the cornstarch. In small bowl, beat half-and-half and egg yolks with whisk. Gradually add egg mixture to sugar mixture; heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in butter, 1 cup coconut and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap, placing plastic wrap directly on custard; let stand 30 minutes. Spoon custard into cooled baked shell. Cover; refrigerate 30 minutes or until set.
• In medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until foamy; gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, beating until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream over pie. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Store in refrigerator.