Spectacular Strawberry Dessert
Cooking for 2
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This elegant after-dinner sweet, created by our Test Kitchen, lives up to its name. With pretty strawberries, a creamy filling and flaked coconut on top, it takes a little extra care to put together, but the results are well worth it.
SERVINGS: 4
CATEGORY: Dessert
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 15 min. + chilling
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Dash salt
- FILLING:
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- Dash salt
- 3/4 cup 2% milk
- 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- TOPPING:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 4 tablespoons flaked coconut, divided
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- Fresh mint and additional sliced strawberries, optional
Directions:
In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar; beat in vanilla. Add flour and salt; mix well. With lightly floured hands, press onto a 7-1/2-in. pizza pan; build up edges slightly. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until edges and bottom are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gradually stir 2 tablespoons of hot filling into egg yolk; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in butter and vanilla. Cool for 30 minutes without stirring. Pour over crust. Top with strawberries.
In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coconut until smooth. In another mixing bowl, beat cream on medium speed until soft peaks form; fold into cream cheese mixture. Carefully spread over strawberries. Toast remaining coconut; sprinkle over topping. Garnish with mint and berries if desired. Chill for at least 4 hours. Yield: 4 servings.