Coconut Pie with Chocolate-Coconut Topping

Well, here you are, coconut lovers...a truly delectable coconut pie that will meet your coconut needs and then some.  Those of us who adore coconut also seem to love chocolate, and when you put those two together, well, we’re talkin’ some mighty fine eats.

The Husband really really loves coconut pie, so I thought it would be very special of me to come up with a recipe that would make him happy in this regard.  I started with a custard pie recipe and just took it from there adding coconut and then experimenting with coconut extract and then….adding chocolate.  What ensued was a pie that I think just might live in infamy, if pies ever actually do that.

For those of you who would rather not add too many layers of goodness, you can just omit the chocolate in the recipe and you would have a very respectable coconut pie.  For the rest of us normal people, I would suggest adding the chocolate.  Chocolate rules here.

Coconut Pie with Coconut-Chocolate Topping

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The last time I made this I added chopped macadamia nuts to the top.  This version should come with a warning label:  Enter at your own risk...extremely addicting!!

Filling:

3 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups whole milk

1 cup half-and-half

2 tsps coconut extract

2 cups sweetened  flake coconut, divided

1 cup miniature chocolate chips

1 9 or 10-inch pie shell, homemade or store-bought

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Scald the milk and half-and-half.

Mix together the eggs, sugar, salt and coconut extract. Slowly add the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until it's well incorporated.  Place 1 cup of the coconut in the pie shell and pour the custard mixture over that.

Bake for 10 minutes then reduce the heat to 350 degrees F.  Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes more, or until the middle of the pie is almost set. It will continue to cook after it is taken out of the oven and as it cools. Cool on a rack.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Toast the remaining coconut until it’s golden brown (in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes).  Let it cool completely.  Add the chocolate chips and sprinkle over the cooled pie.  Serve, eat and be happy.