Prepare the Coconut Pastry Cream filling

Once the layers have been baked it is time to prepare the filling. This was the first time I prepared a Pastry Cream Filling and it sure made me feel like a professional baker. The procedure may look complicated but have patience, it will pay off. The filling will have a light and creamy texture with the decadent flavor of Coconut. The butter will make it silky thus melting on your tongue almost instantly.

Ingredients for the Coconut Pastry Cream:

• Canned Coconut Milk - 1 cup 
• Egg Yolks - 4 large 
• Granulated Sugar – 1/3 cup 
• Cornstarch - 2 tablespoons and 1 and ½ teaspoons 
• Coconut flavor- 1 teaspoon 
• Unsalted Butter - 2 tablespoons, cut into pieces
• Shredded Sweetened Coconut – ½ cup 

Directions:

• Bring the Coconut Milk up to a simmer in a medium saucepan. 

Tip: It is important to shake the can of coconut milk vigorously before opening it. The fats and liquids separate in the can after sitting. You want a combination of both for the filling, so mix it very well.

• Use the stand mixer for the next step (if doing manually be ready for some serious whisking):
• In a separate bowl, whisk the Egg Yolks, Sugar, Cornstarch and Coconut Flavor until blended and pale in color. 

• Slowly pour in the hot milk while whisking continuously. If doing manually stand in front of a fan and pour the milk very slowly so that the egg doesn’t curdle. 

• Return the mixture back to the pot and whisk over medium-high heat until thickened, about 3 minutes. Pour the thickened pastry cream through a fine mesh sieve.

• Stir in the butter until fully melted. 

• Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the pastry cream, making sure it is touching the surface, and refrigerate until cooled completely. 

• Stir in the shredded coconut before adding the filling on the cake layers.

Tip:

Refer to my article on Basic Kitchen Measurements to know how to separate the egg yolk from egg white.

Now let’s proceed to the next step - Buttercream Frosting:

Recommended Reading:

• Chocolate Coconut Cake (with Coconut Pastry Cream filling and Buttercream Frosting, topped with Chocolate Glaze and Toasted Shredded Coconut)
• Bake the Cake