THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!!!!!!!
I can’t believe I’ve already been blogging one whole year. It all began with hopes, dreams, and one amazing Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie. A year later, the adventure is continuing with hopes, dreams, and one amazing Coconut Cream Pie. It has been an exciting year. I baked some really amazing things, like Momofuku Confetti Cookies, and no baked some pretty cool things too. Hello Triple Peanut Butter Puppy Chow. I was a part of Regis Philbin’s stage show. And celebrated my golden birthday. I even started to get photos accepted by Foodgawker and Tastespotting.
I have challenged myself to make the best, most creative treats possible. Sometimes I am amazed at the things I come up with and even more so at the results. There have been recipe failures, but I learned something from each of them. I even made a few healthy recipes because life is all about balance. Yay kale chips! One of the best parts of this year has been the amazing “friends” I have made. Though I haven’t met any of them and probably never will, the people who read this blog and leave comments make my day. They have also inspired me with their fantastic recipes and words.
But the hardest lesson I’ve learned in the past year is that blogging is the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. I face rejection on a daily basis, whether it’s looking at disappointing traffic numbers or seeing those dreaded rejection emails from the food photo sites. Maybe I was being naïve, but I thought this would be easier, I thought the site would blossom and grow as long as I did all the things the books and other bloggers say. But it hasn’t happened. And I have to be completely honest with you: I have no idea why, and sometimes it crushes me. So if you have a moment and wouldn’t mind, would you please spread the word about my blog? Perhaps Like me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter or Pinterest? You have no idea how much it would mean to me.
My writing is still where my heart lies. I try to work on it every day. Hopefully something amazing will happen with it, as well as the blog, soon. I don’t know where the blog will be in another year or even if I’ll still be doing it, but for now I am enjoying the adventure, and quite an adventure it is. Thank you for reading and leaving comments. I truly appreciate it.
To thank you further and celebrate the occasion, the kind people at Wüsthof provided me with a giveaway. They sent me an Offset Cake Knife, which is great for both cakes and pies, to try and will be sending one to the winner of this giveaway as well. First I had to make a pie. I was feeling a little uninspired with the lack of produce in the stores, but then saw Emeril’s Coconut Cream Pie lurking in my bookmarks and knew I had to give it a try.
One of the easier pies I have made, it may also be one of my favorites. I stuck with my favorite Bobby Flay crust recipe which did not disappoint with its buttery, flaky goodness. But that coconut cream filling is a real star. It is so smooth and creamy without ever being too rich or heavy. Vanilla comes through in the cream, with undertones of coconut, enhanced greatly by tons of shredded coconut in the custard. The toasted coconut on top is not to be skipped, as it adds great texture and flavor. I used Bob’s Red Mill Unsweetened Flaked Coconut in the cream and on top and love the texture and flavor of it. Surprisingly, this pie is not at all heavy; instead it was a rather light dessert. I will definitely be making it again. Whether you’re celebrating a special anniversary of your own or just the fact that it’s Saturday, make this Coconut Cream Pie to make the day even better.
On to the giveaway. One person will win a Wüsthof Offset Cake Knife. What is cool about this knife is that one side is a knife to cut into the cake or pie. I found this part slightly difficult to use, as I wanted it to be on the opposite side of the server, but it did the job pretty well. I love using the knife to get the pie out of dish. Usually such a messy task as I try to use a knife and a spoon to grab the crust and filling without it spilling out everywhere, this server made it a breeze and left me with a very professional looking and appetizing piece of pie. Where has this been all my life? I know you guys will absolutely love this to impress all your friends and family at your next gathering.
In order to enter the giveaway, answer the question: What is your favorite special occasion dessert?
To earn additional entries:
Follow @piesandplots on Twitter. Come back and let me know you’ve followed in an additional and entirely separate comment.
Like Pies and Plots on Facebook. Come back and let me know you’ve liked me in an additional and entirely separate comment.
Follow Pies and Plots on Pinterest. Come back and let me know you’ve followed in an additional and entirely separate comment.
Follow @piesandplots on Instagram. Come back and let me know you’ve followed in an additional and entirely separate comment.
Subscribe to Pies and Plots via email using the form at the top of the page on the right hand side. Come back and let me know you’ve followed in an additional and entirely separate comment.
The giveaway ends Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 11:59 pm EST.
The winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on random.org. The winner will be notified by email and will have 24 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!
Disclaimer: Wüsthof provided this giveaway, but all opinions, as always, are my own.
Please check out Wüsthof’s website, Facebook, and Twitter.
Coconut Cream Pie, Blogiversary, and Giveaway!
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup vegetable shortening
- 1 1/3 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 4–7 tablespoons cold water
Filling
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut milk (I used Trader Joe’s – it’s not in a can – yay!)
- 1 ½ cups whole milk, divided
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 5 egg yolks
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup flaked unsweetened coconut (I used Bob’s Red Mill)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ cup flaked unsweetened coconut, toasted, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the crust. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse to mix. Add shortening and butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the ice water, starting with 4 tablespoons. And pulse, adding more water one tablespoon at a time as necessary, until the dough comes together when pressed in your hand. Pour dough onto plastic wrap. Wrap firmly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- After the dough is chilled, take about half, I used a little more, and roll it out to about ¼ inch thick and so it is wide enough to fit easily in your pie pan. The other half can be frozen, wrapped in plastic and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up to 2 months to be used for another pie. Place the rolled dough into your pie pan. Flute the edges of the crust and refrigerate it for 30 minutes more.
- While the dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Once it is chilled, bake for 30-35 minutes, until light golden brown, rotating halfway through if necessary. Allow to cool completely.
- When the crust is cool, make the filling. In a 1 quart saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, coconut milk, and 1 cup of whole milk. Bring to a boil.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup whole milk and cornstarch. Make sure the cornstarch is fully combined in the milk. In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks and salt together. Once the milk has come to a boil, remove it from the heat and slowly add about ½ cup of the hot milk into the egg yolks while whisking vigorously. Then add the egg yolk mixture along with the cornstarch mixture to the milk in the pot.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, for about 2 minutes, until it has thickened considerably. Remove from the heat and add the coconut, vanilla, and butter. Whisk to combine. Pour the filling in the prepared pie shell and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. You may cover it if you like with plastic wrap, but I really liked the skin that formed from leaving it uncovered.
- Once the pie is chilled, top with toasted coconut and serve. Pie may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. It may not be frozen.
Notes
Crust adapted from Bobby Flay Filling adapted from Emeril Lagasse
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY LAURA!!! You know I adore your blog and you, and am so happy we’ve become friends 🙂 I know your blog will continue to grow and flourish and you’ll just be sooo happy! I love this gvieaway too btw’s omg I need one of those! My fave special occasion dessert are probably lava cakes 😛
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Kayle! And thank you for all of your comments and support! I appreciate it so much 🙂 Yeah, this knife is pretty awesome! Oooohhh . . . I need to make some non-chocolate lava cakes.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LAURA
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LAURA
Your just taking your skills as a writer and baker and making them work for you….wow I’ve read your critique’s on the resturants you have been to as well as tasted your baked goods. Only, great things are in store for you, Laura. Oh, by the way, post the peanut butter cake and frosting recipe, that was soooooo yummy and I always thought GIRL SCOUT PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES were the best.
Thank you for the sweet words, Rita! I will be posting the peanut butter cake this week! It is my new favorite peanut butter treat too 🙂
I have a couple favorite special occasion pies. One is the coconut cream, which I think you did an absolutely fabulous job on. And my other fave is banana cream. Those are my go to pies 🙂
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Thank you so much, Kristy!! I’ll have to try my hand at banana cream too!
The coconut cream pie was great. Not too sweet like the store bought ones, I truely dislike those, but, a nice custard like texture with a hint of the coconut. Very nice.
My favorite special occasion dessert would be my sisters baked New York style cheese cake. I have the recipe, but, mine never comes out quite the same. I’ll have to remind her she hasn’t made one in quite a while.
Glad you liked the pie, Linda! It’s such a bummer when treats don’t turn out as well when you make them instead of the original baker. You should make it with your sister, then you can pick up on her tricks 🙂
happy anniversary laura! i have enjoyed reading your blog and think you have done a great job! i can tell how hard you have worked. what do you do with all the wonderful things that you make?
coconut cream pie is my favorite and i love this recipe because it doesn’t have meringue. looking forward to making it this weekend. thank you.
my all time favorite desserts would be a french tart with vanilla cream topped with fresh raspberries or a creme brulee.
Thank you so much, Ruth Ann! It means the world that you read my blog and that you left a comment. I eat everything I make, but only a small portion, the rest gets frozen for another day or given to friends, neighbors, and people at my dad’s work.
Happy anniversary and I wish you more and more success in the next year! My favorite dessert for birthdays and such is any kind of cupcake. Can’t beat it! Less dishes…can personalize each one…and there are tons of flavor options. 🙂
Thanks, Jackie! I always appreciate your support.
I love Pecan, Cranberry & White Chocolate Tart for special occasions. If I made it all the time, I would eat every bite, and that would be bad. 🙂
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Pots de creme!
Already following on Twitter (@squirrelbread).
Also like on FB.
Oh Laura, don´t be disheartened with this blogging thing. Your blog is wonderful and it will keep growing! Don´t pay so much attention to the numbers and keep at it with passion. Happy birthday! We´re almost blogging twins!
And this pie looks amazing! I have it in my bucket list, maybe soon.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Paula! I truly appreciate it 🙂 The pie is even better than it looks. I know you would love it.
i made the coconut cream pie today and the rating came very easy. we loved it! we are following you on facebook too laura. good luck and follow your dream! david and ruth ann berwanger
★★★★★
I’m thrilled to hear you liked the pie, Ruth Ann! It always makes my day when someone makes one of my treats with success! Please keep visiting and leaving comments – it was such a nice treat to read your kind words 🙂
Hi Laura! Congrats on one year as a blogger. I don’t comment, but I look at your blog and the recipes often. I’m going to try a few of them.
My favorite special occasion dessert is Creme Brûlée.
Thank you so much for reading and leaving a comment! It means a lot! Please let me know what recipes you try and how they turn out 🙂
I am now following you on Pinterest. (Already follow on Facebook).
You’re awesome 🙂 My favorite special occasion dessert would depend on the person it’s for, but I would go for cake or cupcakes.
Well, thank you, Maggie! How sweet 🙂
Following on Facebook.
Subscribed to email.
My favorite special occasion dessert is Devil’s Food Chocolate Cake with Chocolate icing
I Follow @piesandplots on Twitter
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The pie was great. The filling wasn’t heavy or too sweet. It had a custard like consitency. Very good.
★★★★★
Thanks, Eric! Glad you liked it 🙂
What a great recipe, I shall definitely be making that as everyone in my family are great coconut fanz..
I hope my blog will one day be as good as yours (its been a week now)
http://takingovercooking.weebly.com/
please will everyone check it out and tell me what you think.
Rosie
★★★★★
I know you will love this pie if you love coconut! I will definitely take a look at your blog. Thanks for visiting mine 🙂
Thankyou 😀
Is it OK if i leave the link to this on my website cuz it seriously is a good recipe.
★★★★★
Yeah, as long as you share the direct link, I would love if you shared it 🙂
Can I use normal salt or does it have to be Kosher salt
If you don’t have kosher salt, I’d just leave salt out. You won’t notice the absence.
I already follow you on twitter 🙂
★★★★★
Well, you’ve got me following you – so you must be doing something right. enjoy your blog!
My go to special recipe changes all the time now that I’m reading blogs and cooking all different sorts of things. My traditional favorite I made was always requested by my friends was cheesecake.
I’m subscribed to your email updates.
And I follow you on pinterest.
Cheesecake!
I follow you on twitter
I like you on facebook
I follow you on pinterest
My favorite special occasion dessert is wedding cake. I don’t care much for the ceremony or the reception but I agree to attend mostly for the cake. My wife totally understands, she’s not much for them either. Truthfully, any good cake will do!
I follow you on Twitter.
I follow your Pinterest boards.
I like you on Facebook.
I get your email updates at jefflammers@rocketmail.com.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LAURA
thanks for all the recipes and letting me taste the end results, oh how yummy..I am so happy, I am your neighbor and most of all your friend..
Thank you so much, Rita for your constant support! I am happy to be your neighbor and friend as well 🙂
Happy anniversary! Your blog is wonderful and you seem like such a sweet, kind and warm person: exactly the kind of personality that should be blogging! The coconut cream pie looks wonderful: so fluffy and airy!
Awwww . . . thank you so much, Julia! I always look forward to reading your comments as well as your blog.
The pie is fantastic!
Glad you liked it 🙂
Happy Blogiversary! I have been blogging for just over a year now and I totally feel you on it not going as you thought it would. Your photographs are beautiful as well as your writing. I am sure in a years time things will be totally different for you 🙂
Yeah, blogging is really hard and has been kind of disappointing, but hopefully the next year will be great for both of us 😀 Thank you for the kind words!
Happy 1st Blogiversary Laura! Big congrats to you! I know how it feels, it’s not easy being a blogger but have patience, so far you’re doing super awesome.
Love this coconut cream pie… cream pies are so comforting!
My favorite special occasion dessert: red velvet cake
Thank you so much, Ruby! I always appreciate your nice comments 🙂
twitter follower
liked on facebook
pinterest follower
Happy Blogiversary! Your pie looks incredibly yummy!
Thanks, Natalie!
enjoyed it great taste one of my favorites.
★★★★★
So glad to hear you liked it, Sal! It was one of my favorites too.
Congrats on your anniversary! My fav. Special dessert is tiramisu. I just had one for my 30th bday and I was amazing.
Thanks, Jen 🙂
Happy anniversary to your blog! Your coconut cream pie looks simply amazing! I think a flourless chocolate cake would be my special occasion dessert!!!
Thank you, Liz, and thanks for visiting 🙂
Followed you on Twitter
Liked you on FB
Followed you on Pinterest
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Woo hoo for your anniversary! Keep it up girl you’ve got a GREAT blog here!
My favorite special occasion dessert is trifle. I make an Oreo one and I have a friend who does the most amazing pecan, caramel, brownie trifle. Both are incredible!
Thanks so much! I always look forward to your comments and reading your blog posts 🙂 I’ve never made or eaten trifle. I’ll have to add it to the list.
Happy Blogiversary!!!! I think your blog is really cute and full of yummy ideas!! My special occasion dessert is Chocolate-covered Peanut Butter Cheesecake!
Thanks, Amanda! Your comment is so sweet!
I follow Pies and Plots on Pinterest. 🙂
I just started following @piesandplots on Instagram!
I subscribe to Pies and Plots via email 🙂
I like you on facebook
I subscribe to your emails
I already like you on fb too 🙂
★★★★★
i really love pecan pie for special occassions
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Happy Blogiversary! I would have to say my favorite occasion dessert would be pecan pie.
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Thanks, Lendon! I love pecan pie too!
I follow @piesandplots on Twitter
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★★★★★
Congrats on 1 year!! Blogging IS an adventure and it takes dedication to stay at it even through the disappointments! I think my favorite special occasion dessert is flourless chocolate cake. So dense and so delicious. YUM!
Thanks, Becky! Blogging definitely takes a lot of dedication that if you keep on working one day it will all just click!
I also follow you on Twitter 🙂
Laura, we share a Blogiversary! Happy first to YOU and Happy third to me! Your pie looks delicious. I like cakes, too, but if I had to choose, I’d say I’m definitely a pie girl.
That’s so cool, Jean! Happy Blogiversary to you too 🙂 I like pies and cakes . . . can’t choose! Thanks for visiting!
My favorite special occasion dessert is creme brulee.
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I subscribed to your emails.
I am not fond of the coconut anything, but you have proven yourself over the year, and as such I tasted it. It was the best coconut anything I have tried. Best of luck on the next year, you have developed quite well and I am sure the up coming year will be better.
Quite a compliment! Thank you, Arturo! I never used to like coconut, but now I can’t get enough. Thanks for your continued support 🙂
How time flies!!! I can’t believe a year already gone since you started. And it is coming around nicely. Already 101 comments before mine. Most so far?
Anyway on to my favorite special occasion dessert: probably Creme Brûlée and I need to make this wonderful coconut creme pie for Scott since it is a favorite of his.
I can’t believe it’s already been a year either. It’s crazy! I think this is the most comments so far. But many blogs with giveaways get thousands, especially for one as good as this. I have a long way to go. You should totally make this for Scott! It’s not that hard and he’ll love it!
I Liked you on Facebook
I follow you on Twitter…
I follow you on Pinterest.
I like to make an Angel food Cake (easy, no frosting) and serve it with ice cream and berries.
Congrats on your anniversary; time flies when you’re having fun. Great site. I re-pinned some luscious looking brownies.
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Thanks, Margot! Your kind words and re-pin mean so much 🙂
I follow @piesandplots on Twitter as @AnnaZed
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I like Pies and Plots on Facebook too
I follow Pies and Plots on Pinterest
And I follow @piesandplots on Instagram.
I subscribe to Pies and Plots via email now too!
I already follow you on pinterest 🙂
★★★★★
How did you know that coconut cream pie was my favorite, it was wonderful.
★★★★★
Since it’s your favorite you must have tried many, making it such a compliment you enjoyed mine! Thank you, Hank!
I especially love lemon cheesecake
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Happt Blogiversary!
Thanks, Linda! I always appreciate when you stop by to leave a comment 🙂
I love your blog and follow you on facebook. My favorite special occasion dessert is your coconut caje,
Thank you so much, Linda! I also love that coconut cake – I will have to make it to post here soon!
By far that is the best coconut cream pie I ever tasted. I would like to put an order in for a whole pie to share with my family and friends. It had a very distinctive taste and a light creamy filling. Have you ever thought about marketing this pie…it would be a #1 best seller! Happy Anniversary and keep up the good work.
My special occasion dessert is caramel apple pie ala mode.
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Thanks, Stan! I am more than happy to fill your order 🙂 I also make an amazing caramel apple pie – I’ll have to bake one soon and send a piece your way!
Happy 1st Blogiversary… can’t believe it’s been a year. You have come a long way and you have so much more to look forward to. Everyone loves reading your blogs and the bonus is the recipes that go along with it. You have a passion be a writer, so follow your dreams. Consider this the beginning of something greater to come.
For example, the coconut pie was by far the best recipe you have ever made! I can’t say enough about it, that taste was amazing..not too sweet, but light and fluffy. The crust was so buttery and flaky and the filling was rich and delicious. The coconut topping was like icing on a cake. Congratulations and best wishes!
My favorite dessert is black forest cake.
★★★★★
Thank you for your words of encouragement and continued support, Carol! I truly appreciate it. I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed the pie so much. It really helps me to keep going.
Hi Laura,
I go in waves and alternate between – pineapple upside down cake, apple crisp (using your recipe), chocolate chip cake, carrot or banana cake. I can’t wait to try this coconut creme pie which I bet will be my next wave!
Please let me know if you try the pie, Mary! It has been a huge hit and I bet you would like it too 🙂
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Congratulations & thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks, Susan!
My favorite special occasion dessert is Cheesecake – I’ll be making a lemon one for my mom’s birthday on Saturday!
I missed the giveaway but wanted to say congratulations on your anniversary! It’s a big deal and a huge commitment–you should be proud!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! It is definitely a huge commitment and hopefully will lead to great things very soon!
My favorite is Cherry Cheese Pie.