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Get the Recipe: Lemon and Coconut Cream Pie... in a Jar!

Servings: 10 four-ounce mason jars
Author: Michelle Lopez
(5 stars) 1 review

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust Layers

    (makes around 2 3/4 cups, enough for 10 four-ounce mason jars)

    • 1 1/2 cups flour
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons water

    For the Toasted Coconut Layers

      (makes enough for 10 four-ounce mason jars, plus extra for garnish)

      • 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes

      For the Lemon Cream Layers

        (makes about 2 1/2 cups, enough for 10 four-ounce mason jars)

        • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed and strained lemon juice
        • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
        • 1 large egg yolk, , at room temperature
        • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
        • a pinch of salt
        • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold

        For the Vanilla Chantilly Cream Layers

          (makes about 2 1/2 cups, enough for 10 four-ounce mason jars)

          • 1 1/2 cups cups heavy cream, cold
          • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

          Equipment

          • 10 four-ounce mason jars
          • a candy thermometer
          • an immersion blender (or a regular blender works too!)

          Instructions
           

          For the Pie Crust Layer

          • Preheat the oven to 350 (F).
          • Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 3/4 salt in the bowl of a freestanding electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined.
          • In a small bowl or a liquid measuring cup, whisk together 8 tablespoons melted unsalted butter and 1 1/2 tablespoons water. With the mixer set on its lowest speed, slowly drizzle into the flour/sugar/salt mixture (from the first step) and continue mixing on low speed until the mixture starts to come together in small clusters.
          • Spread the clusters on a parchment- or Silpat-lined sheet pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until the crumbs are golden brown and slightly moist to the touch; don't worry, the clusters will dry and harden as they cool.
          • Let the crumbs cool on their sheet pan for 10 minutes, before using a dough scraper to break them up into small clusters. Place the sheet pan on a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before using in the recipe.

          For the Toasted Coconut Layer

          • In a small frying pan, toast 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes until golden-brown. Be careful not to overtoast since they tend to continue browning rather quickly. Set aside on a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before using in the recipe.

          For the Lemon Cream Layer

          • Pour water to a depth of about 2 inches into deep saucepan, place over medium heat, and bring to a simmer.
          • Combine 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, 3/4 cup sugar, and a pinch of salt in a heatproof bowl that will rest securely in the rim of a saucepan over and not touching the water. Whisk until the mixture becomes very thick and registers 180 (F) on a thermometer (this will take around 10 to 12 minutes). If you don't have a thermometer, don't worry -- the mixture should thicken to the point that your whisk leaves a trail through the curd. Just be sure to never let the egg yolks and sugar sit together for more than a moment without stirring; the sugar will cook the yolks and turn them granular. Don't let that happen.
          • Remove the bowl from over the water and let cool to 140 (F), stirring from time to time to release the heat.
          • While the mixture is cooling, cut 1 cup cold unsalted butter into 1-tablespoon sized pieces. When the cream is cooled, turn on your immersion blender (or transfer into your countertop blender) and add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time, blending well after each addition and making sure it is fully incorporated into the mixture before adding the next piece. This will take longer than you think it will, and the cream will start to turn into a pale yellow with a thick, opaque texture. Once all the butters have been fully incorporated, the cream is ready.

          For the Vanilla Chantilly Cream Layer

          Assembly

          • Start with pie crumbs and scoop a layer (I used about a tablespoon and a half) of pie crumbs at the bottom of each jar. Sprinkle a layer of toasted coconut flakes over the pie crumbs. Then, scoop a layer of lemon cream over the coconut flakes (I used about 2 tablespoons). Sprinkle another layer of toasted coconut flakes over the lemon cream. Finish by scooping a layer of vanilla chantilly cream (I used about 2 tablespoons) over the toasted coconut flakes, and finish with a garnish of coconut flakes. Voila! Lemon and coconut cream pie...in a jar.
          Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!