Grandma Mary’s Coconut Crème Pie

Mary Muegge is known for her delicious, homemade pies. She may be 92 years old, but that doesn’t stop her from making mouth-watering desserts at community events and the family’s annual bull sale.

Ingredients

3/4 to 1 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

1/4 cup corn starch

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups scalded half and half

3 slightly beaten egg yolks

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 9-inch baked pie crust

For topping:

3 stiff egg whites

6 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Procedure

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix corn starch, sugar and salt. Gradually add steaming hot milk. Cook in double boiler until thick — around 10 minutes — stirring constantly. Slowly add mixture with egg yolks.

Stir into remaining hot mixture. Cook five minutes, stirring constantly. Add butter and vanilla. Let cool. Add a small amount of coconut to pudding. Pour into cool shell. Cover with whites and add coconut to taste. Bake 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees.