Coconut Cream Dessert

Coconut Cream Dessert

This delicious treat starts with a homemade graham cracker crust that I bake until it’s golden brown. Then, I cool the crust and top it with a homemade coconut custard filling complete with shredded coconut. Finally, I chill the custard and then top it with homemade whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes to complete the look and the flavor. It’s an incredibly easy recipe that looks fancy but is actually incredibly simple. You can’t beat that!

Why You’ll Love This Coconut Cream Dessert Recipe

• The flavor combination of the buttery graham cracker crust, the creamy coconut custard layer, and the homemade whipped cream and toasted coconut is simply irresistible.
• It’s a light and refreshing coconut dessert recipe the whole family will enjoy, and it is easy to make using simple ingredients.
• This is a delicious coconut cream dessert that is perfect to serve for dessert, it’s great for parties and potlucks, and it is ideal as a midday snack.

Coconut Cream Dessert Ingredients

You’ll only need a few basic kitchen staples to make this recipe. Everything you need is either in your kitchen or available in one quick trip to the grocery store.

Graham Cracker Crust

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Melted butter
• Granulated sugar

Coconut Cream Custard

• Whole milk
• Egg yolks
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Granulated sugar
• Sweetened shredded coconut
• Vanilla extract

Whipped Cream Topping

• Heavy whipping cream
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Toasted coconut flakes

How to Make Coconut Cream Dessert

This recipe only takes a few simple steps and a few minutes of actual cooking. The bulk of the time needed for the recipe is letting it cool. It’s as easy as pie, er, dessert.

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Make the Crust

Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a medium bowl until it becomes sand-like and clumps together.

Step 3: Bake

Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish with the back of a measuring cup. Then, bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Remove the baked crust and let it cool.

Step 4: Make the Custard

Whisk the egg yolks, cornstarch, salt, and ¼ cup of milk in a mixing bowl and set aside. Then, mix the sugar and the remaining milk in a large pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat and pour half the milk into the egg yolk mixture, whisking to combine as you pour. Add the milk and egg mixture back into the pot along with shredded coconut and vanilla extract and stir until combined. Continue stirring until the custard has thickened.

Step 5: Fill and Chill

Spoon the custard into the baking dish and spread it out evenly. Then, place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment directly on top of the custard, pressing down slightly to ensure the covering is in contact with the entire top of the custard. Chill for 2 to 3 hours to fully set.

Step 6: Make the Whipped Cream

Beat the heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.

Step 7: Decorate

Spoon the whipped cream on top of the chilled custard and spread in an even layer. Then, sprinkle with toasted coconut and enjoy!

Recipe Tips for Coconut Cream Dessert

• Whisk the custard constantly throughout the entire cooking process to ensure a creamy texture and prevent scorching.
• Be sure your plastic wrap or parchment paper is in contact with the entire surface of the custard to prevent the formation of a skin as it chills.
• Stop beating the whipped cream as soon as stiff peaks form. Over-beating will cause the whipped cream to collapse.

Variations

• Use different extracts to create different custard flavors.
• Flavor your whipped cream with coconut extract for even more coconut flavor.
• You can make the crust with Nilla wafers in place of graham crackers.
• Use cool whip in place of homemade whipped cream, if desired.

What to Serve with Coconut Cream Dessert

Serve this coconut cream dessert with fresh fruit or chocolate squares for an ultra-decadent dessert experience. This is also an excellent recipe to make for potlucks and parties as part of a larger dessert table.

Recipe FAQ

How to Store Leftover Coconut Cream Dessert

Refrigerate this dessert in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Do not freeze this dessert.

Try This Delicious Coconut Cream Recipe Today

This coconut cream dessert is rich, creamy, decadent, and so easy to make! It requires very little effort and no advanced knowledge of cooking. If you can follow directions, you can make this recipe, and you’ll be making it all the time! Try this recipe just once, and you’ll be hooked.

More Delicious Coconut Desserts You’ll Enjoy

These Raspberry Coconut Bars are an easy and old fashioned recipe made with a cookie crust base, a layer of raspberry preserves, and topped with a coconut mixture, then baked.