This delightful and refreshing coconut cream dessert is made with three layers of deliciousness: a buttery graham cracker crust, a sweet and creamy coconut cream layer, and a homemade whipped cream layer that is super light and fluffy, and toasted coconut for the final touch. A flavor combination that is simply irresistible.
Coconut cream is a classic dessert that almost everyone seems to love. I know I’ve been making various coconut cream desserts for years, and no one has ever turned it down. From coconut layer cakes with coconut custard fillings to filled cupcakes, and everything in between, coconut cream seems to work with all kinds of desserts. One of my favorite ways to use coconut cream custard is in this coconut cream dessert. With its graham cracker crust and whipped cream topping, this dessert is ultra-rich and creamy, and it’s perfect for simple weeknight desserts or fancy events.
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
Coconut cream dessert is a coconut custard-based dessert with a graham cracker crust topped with a layer of coconut cream custard and a layer of whipped cream.
Tropical fruits, berries, and chocolate are all excellent sweet pairings for coconut.
Not only can coconut cream dessert be made in advance, but it should be! This dessert is best when it’s had 24 hours to chill.
Yes, it does. This dessert is made with coconut cream, which contains eggs, butter, and milk, and homemade whipped cream, made with heavy cream.
Freezing any cream dessert is not recommended. Custard doesn’t stand up to freezing and will break when it defrosts.
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.
Coconut Cream Dessert
Ingredients
Coconut Cream Filling
- 3 cups milk, divided
- 5 egg yolks
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Homemade Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare an 11×7 baking dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
Graham Cracker Crust
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Mix until well combined and mixture is a sand-like texture that clumps together.
- Pour the crust mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down with the back of a measuring cup.
- Bake the crust in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Coconut Cream Filling
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, salt, and ¼ cup of milk. Set aside.
- In a large pot, mix together sugar and remaining 2 ¾ cups of milk. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Once mixture comes to a simmer, turn off heat and pour half into the egg yolk mixture and whisk to combine well and then pour into the pot with remaining milk and sugar mixture. Stir in shredded coconut and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Stir well until custard thickens.
- Spoon custard into baked crust and spread evenly.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper on top of custard, pressing down lightly to cover the entire filling.
- Place in the fridge to cool and set up for 2-3 hours.
Homemade Whipped Cream
- In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Spoon whipped cream on top of chilled custard and even spread.
- Sprinkle toasted coconut over top.
Nutrition
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