Dad's Birthday Pie: Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Coconut Icebox Pie

Last weekend was Dad's birthday.  Typically, he's a German Chocolate Cake kind of guy, but as we've been enjoying low carb foods, I found this recipe to be a good substitute for him.  It turned out excellent... particularly the toasted coconut crust and didn't last long once the family cut into it.  The next day dad called me and said, "I just ate a fourth of the pie for dinner."  What a compliment!

For the crust you'll need:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 ounces of unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup sugar substitute

For the filling you'll need:
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (I used Hershey's Extra Dark 60 percent cacao), finely chopped
1/4 cup sugar substitute

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a food processor, combine the butter, coconut, and sugar substitute until the mixture forms a ball.  Place into a medium size bowl.

In a 9 inch pie plate, press the coconut mixture onto the bottom and up the sides to form crust.

Bake until the center begins to brown, about 15 minutes.  Transfer the crust to a wire rack to cool completely.

Toasted coconut crust

To make the filling, bring the cream to a boil in a saucepan.  Coarsely chop up the chocolate and place in a mixing bowl.  Pour the hot cream over the chocolate.  Allow to sit for 10 minutes, then stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is combined.

Pour into the coconut crust and refrigerate until the pie becomes firm.

Sugar Free Strawberry Cream Pie

The past few years, my family has limited their carb intake, so this is a perfect recipe to accommodate everyone.  It was actually inspired by a friend, who makes a sugar free coconut pie.  The idea that crust can be made using egg whites is just awesome when you are cooking for those with dietary restrictions.

For the crust you will need:
4 eggs (separated, you only need the whites)
1/2 tsp vanilla
6 tsp sugar or sugar substitute
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

Beat eggs and vanilla until they are frothy.  Gradually add sugar (substitute) and cream of tartar, beat until stiff.  Put in the bottom of a greased pie plate. Bake at 325 until browned.

The crust will look like this when finished.

For the filling you will need:
1 small package of sugar free strawberry jello
1 pint heavy cream
1 8 oz. package Neufchatel cheese
1/4 cup sugar substitute (6 packets)
1 quart fresh strawberries (sliced)

First, dissolve the jello with 3/4 cup boiling water, then add 1/3 cup cold water.  Allow the jello to sit in the freezer just until it begins to reach the gel form (about 25 minutes).

In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until it is stiff.  Fold in the Neufchatel cheese and sugar substitute.  Fold in the strawberry jello.  Stir in the strawberries, saving some for the top to garnish if you wish.  Pour the mixture on top of the cooled crust.  Keep the pie refrigerated.

Combining the heavy whipping cream and the Neufchatel cheese.

Add the jello and the strawberries.

Pour the filling over the crust, garnish with remaining strawberries, and keep the pie refrigerated.