Mix cornstarch, sugar, and salt in a 3-quart saucepan. Add milk and half and half; cook over medium heat until smooth and thick, stirring constantly.

Pour a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; blend thoroughly, then pour back into saucepan. Cook another 2 or 3 minutes.

Remove from heat; add butter and vanilla. If you are making coconut, chocolate, or German chocolate pie, add the additional ingredients NOW.

Pour into crust and chill, top with whipped cream.

Variations:
Coconut Cream: Add ½ cup coconut to pie filling. Spread with whipped cream then top with another ½ cup coconut.

Banana Cream: Line crust with thinly sliced bananas before adding cooked pudding.

Chocolate Cream: Add 1/2 cup melted chocolate chips to filling while filling is still very hot.

German Chocolate: Add 1/2 cup coconut, 1/4 cup finely chopped Pecans or walnuts, and 1/2 cup chocolate chips to filling while filling is still very hot.