Coconut Custard Challah

Now that the weather has been warming up, I am dreaming about beach vacations and pina coladas! This coconut custard filled challah topped with toasty coconut flakes reminds me of warm sunny days by the beach. 

What you will need:

Challah dough {recipe here}

Filling

Coconut custard {recipe here is enough for 2 challahs}

Topping

Coconut flakes

1 egg

Directions: 

Prepare challah dough according to directions. 

Preheat the oven to 350°F. 

Divide dough into 4 equal parts and then roll each part into a log, long enough to fit a loaf pan.

Gently flatten each log so that it is about 2 inches wide. Spread with the coconut custard. 

Place the challah in a greased loaf pan and let the challah rise 30 minutes. 

 

Once the challah has risen, brush with an egg wash, and sprinkle with coconut flakes. 

Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the challah is cooked through.

Slice open and look at those pockets of coconut yumminess!

Enjoy!

Bonus- if you happen to have leftover challah, this one is amazing as French toast!

Coconut Custard

This dairy free coconut custard is a creamy, dreamy dessert that transports me to a tropical beach on a faraway island! It’s full of sweet coconut flavor and this custard can be eaten by itself or be used in place of regular pastry cream. I will be using it later this week as a filling inside of one of my stuffed challahs. 

What you will need
1 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut cream
5 egg yolks
⅓ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Optional: toasted coconut for topping

Directions
Add the coconut cream to a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat.

While the milk is heating, add the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch to a glass bowl. Whisk together to combine (mixture will be a little clumpy) and set aside.

Whisk the milk occasionally until it starts to steam, but do not boil. Remove the milk from the heat and while whisking, pour a little milk (about ½ cup) into the egg mixture, do not stop whisking.
Continue to simultaneously whisk and slowly pour the remaining milk into the egg mixture. 

When all the milk has been poured into the bowl, give the mixture a good stir and then pour it back into the saucepan. 

Heat the milk mixture over medium heat, whisking almost constantly, until it starts to get thick like pudding and bubble. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. 

Place a strainer over a clean bowl and pour the custard into the strainer. Stir and push the custard through the strainer, leaving any clumps behind.

Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the custard and cool to room temperature. When cool, refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Note- When placing the plastic wrap on the custard, make sure it is actually touching the custard (like you're putting a band-aid on it). That will prevent a thick skin layer from forming on top of the custard.

Enjoy!