Place the cream cheese on the counter for 30–45 minutes, until slightly cool but easy to press with your finger. Soft cream cheese helps ensure a smooth, lump-free dip.
8 oz cream cheese
Preheat a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1/2 cup of the shredded coconut and cook, stirring often, for 3–5 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Immediately transfer to a plate to cool so it doesn’t burn. Set aside for garnish.
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
In a chilled mixing bowl, add the cold heavy whipping cream and a pinch of salt. Beat with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until medium peaks form—thick and creamy but still soft. Set aside. (If using whipped topping, skip this step and measure out 2 cups, thawed.)
1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 pinch salt
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the coconut cream and beat again, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until the mixture looks silky and slightly fluffy.
8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup canned coconut cream
Sprinkle in the instant vanilla pudding mix and powdered sugar. Add the vanilla extract and coconut extract (if using). Beat on low at first, then increase to medium speed, until the mixture is smooth, thick, and resembles coconut pie filling.
1 box instant vanilla pudding mix, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
Gently fold the whipped cream (or whipped topping) into the coconut cream cheese mixture with a spatula. Turn the bowl as you fold, lifting from the bottom, to keep the mixture light and airy.
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Fold in 1 cup of the shredded coconut (reserve the toasted 1/2 cup for topping) until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired, adding a little more powdered sugar if needed.
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Transfer the coconut cream pie dip to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to blend and the dip to thicken and set.
Right before serving, sprinkle the cooled toasted coconut over the top of the dip. Optionally add lime zest or crushed graham crackers. Serve chilled with graham crackers, cookies, and fresh fruit for dipping.
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, Biscoff-style cookies, fresh strawberries, pineapple wedges, or apple slices, gluten-free cookies or crackers