Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

1 cup sweetened flaked coconut 3 cups half-and-half 2 eggs, beaten 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed Direction : Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and bake it, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. In a medium saucepan, combine the half-and-half, eggs, sugar, flour and salt and mix well. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in 3/4 cup of the toasted coconut and the vanilla extract. Reserve the remaining coconut to top the pie. Pour the filling into the pie shell and chill until firm, about 4 hours. Top with whipped topping and with the reserved coconut

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