Directions
<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>For the crust, combine flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Add cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining (these butter pockets will create flakiness in your crust).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Gradually add the ice-cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork until the dough just holds together when pinched. Be careful not to overwork the dough or add too much water, as this will make your crust tough.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cold dough is essential for a flaky crust as it prevents the butter from melting too quickly.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Preheat your oven to 190°C. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to a 30cm circle. Carefully transfer to your pie dish, gently pressing into the bottom and sides. Trim excess dough leaving a 2cm overhang, then fold and crimp the edges decoratively.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Blind bake for 15 minutes, then remove weights and parchment and continue baking for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Set aside to cool completely.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>For the filling, combine coconut milk, whole milk, half the sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, remaining sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. This is your thickening mixture for the custard.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Temper the eggs by slowly pouring about 240ml of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This gradually raises the temperature of the eggs without scrambling them, creating a smooth custard base.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until very thick (it should coat the back of a spoon).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Remove from heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Stir in butter, vanilla extract, and shredded coconut until well combined.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Pour the warm filling into your cooled pie crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until completely set.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>For the topping, toast coconut flakes in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes). Watch carefully as coconut burns quickly! Set aside to cool.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 13</h4>Just before serving, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. The cream should hold its shape but still look smooth and glossy - overwhipping will create a grainy texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 14</h4>Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled pie and sprinkle generously with the toasted coconut flakes. For the best texture contrast and flavor, serve within a few hours of adding the topping.</li></ol>