Coconut Cream Pie
First, the final result of LXX.V: Still excellent filling; much more stable merrang, although not quite dry; caramelized and tough crust.
The crust issue turned out to be simple: I used two tablespoons of sugar instead of two teaspoons of sugar. This was immediately obvious when I started comparing crust recipes to see different ratios. “Wait,” I said to myself, I said, “it says tsp, but I did Tbl.”
I used the same filling recipe as the first time (LI). I used the same crust recipe as the citrus merrangs, but actually following it. I’m still working on merrang, so I did that instead of whipped cream.
I think the crust recipe needs to be just ever so slightly more. There are no scraps and it’s just a bit thin. I think I’ll bump the flour to 180 grams (it’s 160) and the water to a scant 75g (it’s 70) the next time around. I par baked at 400 with weights for 15 minutes and another 8 minutes without. I think a bit more time, but not much. It wasn’t quite “golden brown”, but it was definitely on the way. The final result was soggy, though. I had that thought at the time, but I was in a hurry (I had an 0700 work meeting).
The filling needs more cornstarch. It was a fine consistency for pudding in a bowl, but did not hold up to being sliced; it oozed out the sides. It tasted fine.
Of course, I discover the fact that one cannot add stuff to merrang on the day when I am pressed for time. Putting coconut flakes into the merrang, while in the mixer, deflated it. It didn’t quite turn back into egg whites, but darn close. I whipped up another batch and just sprinkled coconut on top. Gently folding it in probably would have worked fine, too. On the bright side, the crust got to par bake that much longer while I re-did it.
Baked at 300 for an hour (the duration of my meeting). Turned the oven off and let it sit for another hour and half. The merrang was not sticky, but it also wasn’t dry. The pie was still warm when it left the house at 1030.
Overall, a success. Crust was not flakey, but it also wasn’t tough, so that’s a win. Merrang wasn’t dry, but it also wasn’t a sticky lump, so that’s a win.
BTW: I broke the numbering scheme. Cinnamon Rolls were also LXX. Oh well.
Marked Up 