Mrs. Cecil Walston’s Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

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Sure! Here’s a rich, full-bodied recipe write-up for Mrs. Cecil Walston’s Coconut Cream Pie, complete with history, ingredients, method, and even a touch of romance.

🥥 Mrs. Cecil Walston’s Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

“This coconut cream pie recipe was my husband’s great-grandmother, Mrs. Cecil Walston’s pie recipe.” – Beverley

🕰️ A Sweet Slice of History

Passed down through generations of loving hands, this coconut cream pie isn’t just dessert—it’s a cherished family heirloom. Originating from Mrs. Cecil Walston’s kitchen in the early 20th century, this pie represents the warmth of Southern hospitality and the enduring sweetness of love.

Each bite tells a story: a Sunday afternoon on the porch, a family reunion, a handwritten recipe card in fading ink. When Beverley married into the Walston family, this recipe was a gift—not just of ingredients, but of tradition, of belonging.

🍰 Introduction

A true Southern classic, coconut cream pie is a silken, custard-filled dessert topped with clouds of whipped cream and golden toasted coconut. This version, rich with nostalgia and flavor, honors the legacy of one remarkable woman, Mrs. Cecil Walston, whose love for family was only matched by her talent in the kitchen.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Pie Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 3–4 tbsp ice water

OR use a pre-made 9-inch pie crust for ease.

For the Coconut Custard Filling

  • 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk (full-fat)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp coconut extract (optional, but lovely)
  • Pinch of salt

For the Topping

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup toasted coconut (sweetened or unsweetened, to taste)

🧑‍🍳 Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

  1. Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Slowly add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, until dough comes together.
  3. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Roll out and fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Prick the bottom with a fork, line with parchment, and fill with pie weights.
  5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes, remove weights, and bake 10 minutes more until golden. Cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Coconut Custard

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, whole milk, shredded coconut, and ½ cup sugar. Heat over medium until steaming (do not boil).
  2. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, remaining ¼ cup sugar, and salt.
  3. Slowly pour hot milk into yolk mixture while whisking constantly to temper.
  4. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 5–7 minutes).
  5. Remove from heat. Stir in butter, vanilla, and coconut extract.
  6. Pour into cooled pie crust. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the custard to prevent skin. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 3: Make the Whipped Cream

  1. Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks.
  2. Spread or pipe over chilled custard.

Step 4: Toast the Coconut

  1. Toast shredded coconut in a dry pan over medium-low heat or in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes, stirring often.
  2. Sprinkle over whipped cream topping.

💕 The Lovers Behind the Pie

Mrs. Cecil Walston was known for her grace, strong spirit, and legendary pies. When Beverley married into the Walston family, she inherited more than a name—she was embraced by a lineage of warmth and culinary affection.

Every holiday, family dinner, or homecoming, someone would ask, “Did you bring the coconut pie?” And Beverley, with a gentle smile, would nod. Each time she baked it, she imagined Mrs. Walston beside her—flour-dusted hands, quiet pride, passing down more than just a recipe.

This pie, in its creamy simplicity, tells the story of women who loved, who baked, who shared.

📜 Conclusion

Whether served on a silver platter or a paper plate at a backyard gathering, Mrs. Cecil Walston’s Coconut Cream Pie is always the showstopper. It’s more than just a dessert—it’s a connection to the past, to family, and to the sweet, enduring power of love passed from one generation to the next.

So bake it with heart. Serve it with joy. And always, always save the last slice for someone you love.

Would you like a printable version or a card-style recipe layout for this?

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