This Texas Trash Pie is a deliciously indulgent dessert that combines sweet and salty flavors in one magnificent bite. With layers of chocolate, pretzels, coconut, and caramel all baked to perfection, this pie delivers a taste sensation that’s truly Texan in its bold approach. Ready in under an hour, it’s the perfect solution when you’re craving something spectacular but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Fuss Preparation: Just mix, pour, and bake! The hardest part is waiting for it to cool before diving in.
- Sweet and Salty Balance: The combination of chocolate, caramel, and coconut with the salty crunch of pretzels creates a flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This pie consistently earns rave reviews at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
- Versatile: Works equally well as a casual weeknight treat or dressed up with a scoop of ice cream for special occasions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Frozen deep dish pie crust: The perfect ready-made vessel for our filling that saves you tons of time. No need to thaw it beforehand!
- Semisweet chocolate chips: These provide rich chocolate flavor and melt beautifully into the filling. They’re the backbone of this dessert.
- Pretzels: Adds the perfect salty crunch and balances the sweetness. Make sure to crush them coarsely so you still get nice chunks.
- Graham crackers: Provides a honey-sweet flavor and beautiful texture. Don’t pulverize them – keep them in visible pieces.
- Shredded coconut: Adds a tropical sweetness and chewy texture that complements the crunchy elements perfectly.
- Pecan pieces: Brings a buttery nuttiness and additional texture. The pecans toast while baking, intensifying their flavor.
- Caramel bits: These melt into pockets of gooey goodness throughout the pie. They’re the “secret weapon” that makes this pie irresistible.
- Butter: Binds everything together and adds richness. Use salted butter for an extra flavor boost.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This magical ingredient creates the perfect consistency and adds a creamy sweetness that holds everything together.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Looking to put your own spin on this Texas treasure? Here are some delicious options:
- Chocolate Lover’s Version: Swap half the caramel bits for additional chocolate chips and add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the mix.
- Tropical Twist: Replace the pecans with macadamia nuts and add 1/2 cup dried pineapple pieces for a vacation-inspired flavor.
- S’mores Style: Use mini marshmallows instead of coconut and add an extra 1/2 cup of graham cracker pieces.
- Peanut Butter Paradise: Add 1/3 cup peanut butter chips and replace pecans with peanuts for a peanut butter cup-inspired version.
How to Make Texas Trash Pie
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack on the second-to-lowest spot. Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Then coarsely crush your pretzels and graham crackers – remember, we want pieces, not powder!
Step 2: Mix the Filling
Combine all those wonderful filling ingredients in your large bowl with the melted butter: chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, graham cracker pieces, shredded coconut, pecan pieces, and caramel bits. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and mix until everything is well coated and combined.
Step 3: Fill and Bake
Pour this magnificent mixture into your frozen pie crust – no need to thaw it first! Spread the filling evenly and place it in your preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the pie is set and the top turns a beautiful golden brown.
Check the pie after about 25-30 minutes – if the top is getting too dark, simply cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining bake time.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
The hardest part! Let the pie cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting. This cooling time allows the filling to set properly so you get nice, clean slices.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t overmix: Stir just until combined to maintain the different textures in every bite.
- Use the right pie dish: A deep-dish frozen crust is essential – regular crusts won’t hold all the filling.
- Cool completely for clean slices: For picture-perfect presentation, let the pie cool completely (about an hour) before slicing.
- Watch the edges: If your crust edges start browning too quickly, shield them with strips of aluminum foil.
- Measure accurately: The balance of ingredients creates the perfect consistency – too much of any one thing can throw off the texture.
How to Serve
This pie truly shines when served in these delicious ways:
Warm Delight
Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate contrast of warm pie and cold, creamy ice cream.
Drizzle Options
Try a drizzle of chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or both for an extra decadent presentation.
Whipped Cream Cloud
A dollop of freshly whipped cream creates the perfect light counterpoint to the rich, dense pie.
Coffee Pairing
Serve alongside a strong cup of coffee or espresso to balance the sweetness perfectly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftover pie loosely with foil and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. The texture is best when not refrigerated, but in warmer weather, refrigeration is safer.
Freezing
This pie freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. The texture of the coconut may change slightly but will still be delicious.
Reheating
To restore that fresh-baked quality, warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or place the whole pie in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes until just warmed through.
FAQs
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Can I make this pie without coconut?
Absolutely! Simply replace the coconut with an equal amount of extra graham cracker pieces or oats for a similar texture. The pie will have a slightly different flavor profile but will still be delicious.
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Why is my pie runny in the center?
The most common cause is underbaking. The pie should look set and golden brown on top. If you insert a knife about 1 inch from the center, it should come out mostly clean. Remember that the pie will continue to set as it cools.
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Can I use a homemade pie crust instead of frozen?
Yes! If you prefer making your own pie crust, prepare and blind bake it for about 10 minutes before adding the filling. This prevents the bottom from becoming soggy.
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How do I know when the pie is done baking?
The top should be golden brown, and the center should be mostly set with perhaps a slight jiggle. If you notice excessive browning before the center sets, cover with foil and continue baking. The pie will firm up more as it cools.
Final Thoughts
This Texas Trash Pie is proof that sometimes the most unassuming desserts deliver the biggest flavor impact. Its beautiful chaos of textures and tastes creates something truly special that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, this forgiving recipe delivers impressive results every time. Give it a try this weekend – your taste buds (and anyone lucky enough to share it with you) will thank you!
Print
Texas Trash Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Texas Trash Pie is a decadent and delightful dessert that brings together a sweet and salty combination of chocolate chips, pretzels, graham crackers, coconut, pecans, caramel bits, and a buttery condensed milk filling. It’s baked to golden perfection in a flaky pie crust, delivering an irresistible treat that’s both crunchy and gooey in each bite. This crowd-pleasing pie is perfect for potlucks, celebrations, or simply indulging your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup pretzels, coarsely crushed
- 1 cup graham crackers, coarsely crushed
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup pecan pieces
- 1 cup Kraft caramel bits
- 1/2 cup (8 tbsp) butter, melted
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
Crust
- 1 frozen deep dish pie crust (9 or 10-inch)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place your oven rack on the second to lowest position to ensure even baking of the pie. - Prepare the Filling
Heat the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl until melted. Coarsely crush the pretzels and graham crackers into small pieces, avoiding making them too fine. - Combine Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, blend all the filling ingredients — chocolate chips, pretzels, graham crackers, shredded coconut, pecans, caramel bits, melted butter, and sweetened condensed milk — until well combined. - Assemble the Pie
Pour the filling mixture evenly into the frozen deep dish pie crust, spreading it out to ensure an even layer. - Bake the Pie
Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top turns golden brown. Around the 25-30 minute mark, check the pie and cover the top with foil if it’s browning too quickly. - Cool and Serve
Let the pie rest for 15 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set completely. Once cooled slightly, slice and serve.
Notes
- To prevent the crust from becoming soggy, you can brush it lightly with an egg wash before adding the filling and prebake it for 10 minutes at 350°F.
- Use parchment paper under the pie on the baking tray in case of any spillover during baking.
- Feel free to sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top of the baked pie for an additional sweet-salty craving fix.
- Store leftover pie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
