Texas Trash Pie: A Sweet Slice of the South
Every time we visit our daughter in Texas, we come home with full hearts — and even fuller bellies. There’s something about Southern cooking that wraps you up like a warm hug. It’s unapologetically rich, sweet when it wants to be, salty when it needs to be, and always made with love. One of the standout treats from our most recent trip? A gloriously gooey, over-the-top dessert known affectionately as Texas Trash Pie.
Now, before you raise an eyebrow at the name — let’s talk about it.
What Is a Trash Pie, Anyway?
Despite its slightly mischievous name, Texas Trash Pie has nothing to do with garbage and everything to do with indulgence. It’s called “trash” because it tosses together all kinds of snacky bits you might have in your pantry — crushed pretzels, chocolate chips, graham crackers, coconut, pecans, even chunks of caramel — into one glorious, sweet-and-salty pie. Think of it like the kitchen-sink cookie’s rebellious Southern cousin.
Each bite is crunchy, chewy, gooey, and rich — it’s sweet, but there’s just enough salt to keep you coming back for another forkful. And once it’s set inside a buttery deep-dish crust and baked to golden perfection, it becomes something you never knew you needed.
Southern Comfort, Canadian Kitchen
As a family rooted in Nova Scotia, we’ve always had a soft spot for traditions that bring people together around the table — and the South does that in spades. From pecan pies to BBQ feasts, every meal feels like a celebration, and every dish tells a story. This pie is no different. It’s a snapshot of roadside diners, church potlucks, and backyard suppers — all in one slice.
Bringing those flavors home and giving them our own East Coast twist is part of the fun. Sure, we didn’t grow up with trash pie — but after that first visit to Texas, it quickly earned a place in our family recipe box.
A Pie That Doesn’t Pretend
Texas Trash Pie doesn’t try to be fancy. It’s not worried about clean lines or delicate flavors. It’s messy, loud, and absolutely delightful — just like a big family gathering. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth (or you’re simply trash-pie-curious), I promise: this one delivers.
Whether you’re baking for a potluck, sharing a nostalgic dessert with your kids, or just looking for an excuse to melt down a bunch of caramel and call it a day — this pie has you covered.
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Texas Trash Pie
- Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) deep dish pie crust ( recipe here)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup pretzels, crushed
- 1 cup graham crackers, crushed
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup pecan pieces
- 1 cup Kraft Caramels cut into bits
- 8 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Heat butter in a microwave-safe bowl until completely melted.
- Crush pretzels and graham crackers into small pieces.
- Combine all filling ingredients (chocolate chips, pretzels, graham crackers, coconut, pecans, caramel bits, butter, and sweetened condensed milk) in a large bowl until well blended.
- Pour the entire filling into pie crust.
- Bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until the pie is set and the top is golden brown. Let pie cool for 30 minutes before cutting and serving.
- Category: baking, recipes
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