Don’t let the name fool you, this Texas Trash Pie is anything but! This pie is crazy delicious, simple to make and has a little bit of sweet, salty, creamy and crunchy going on inside.
Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away and this Texas Trash Pie might just be the best new pie to add to your Thanksgiving dessert menu.
I know the name is a bit of a turnoff, but please trust me on this one. This Texas Trash Pie is loaded with chocolate chips, caramel bits, pretzels, graham crackers, coconut, pecans all mixed together with a glorious can of sweetened condensed milk. It reminds me so of seven-layer bars with everything going on inside.
Up until about two weeks ago I’d never even heard of Texas trash pie, and I don’t even remember what I was searching when I happen to come across it. The name was so intriguing that I had to give it a try, right?
This pie is quick and simple to throw together! And for all of you who dread making homemade pie crust, don’t worry I got your back! This pie starts with a pre-made frozen pie crust . . .easy peasy!
Where did Texas Trash Pie come from?
Texas Trash Pie was created in Round Top, Texas, by the Royer family. The Royers moved to Round Top in 1987 and took over the 40-seat Round Top Cafe. They popularized the cafe all through word-of-mouth marketing. Their beloved Texas Trash Pie led the way! Its name implies the combination of every ingredient in the kitchen, but rest assured, this delectable pie is anything but trash.
List of ingredients:
- chocolate chips
- pretzels
- graham crackers
- shredded coconut
- caramel bits
- pecans pieces
- sweetened condensed milk
- butter
- Combine the chocolate chips, pretzels, graham crackers, coconut, caramel bits and pecans in a mixing bowl. (*Note to self – don’t use a purple bowl when you want to take step-by-step photos 🤦♀️).
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the ingredients and stir until combined. Can we just take a moment to look at that bowl of absolutely deliciousness!
- Pour that delectable filling into a frozen pie crust, put it in the oven to bake and then the magic happens. It’s ooey, gooey, and insanely good!
This pie is rich and decadent! I know you might be thinking it’s a little too over the top for you, but sometimes you’ve just got to get on board when it comes to gooey, sweet and decadent desserts, even if the name does sound a bit awful.
I promise that once you bite into this pie, you’ll be so grateful you made it and you’ll be the rockstar of your Thanksgiving dinner.
A few helpful hints:
- I highly recommend using semisweet chocolate chips. This pie is rich and sweet, so using semisweet chocolate chips instead of milk, helps offset some of the sweetness.
- I am not usually a fan of nuts in baked goods, but the pecans really work in this pie. They help offset some of the sweetness and add a little crunch. You can add up to 1 cup of nuts if you’re a huge fan, or scale it back a bit if you’re not.
- Be sure and cook this on the second to lowest rack in your oven. This will help the bottom of the crust brown up a little more.
- Keep an eye on the pie and if the top starts to get too dark while it’s baking, loosely cover the top with a piece of tin foil.
- This pie is phenomenal served plain, but would also be delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
How to Store Texas Trash Pie
To keep Texas Trash Pie fresh, cover it with plastic wrap and keep cool in refrigerator. I like to warm my piece up just slightly in the microwave to get the filling ooey and gooey.
I can’t wait to share a few more Thanksgiving recipes over the next couple weeks. I’ll also be reposting some I’ve shared before that you may or may not have ever seen. If you have a favorite Thanksgiving recipe, I’d love to hear about it!
Print
Texas Trash Pie
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 frozen deep dish pie crust (9 or 10-inch)
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the oven rack on the second to lowest spot in your oven.
- Heat butter in a large microwave-safe bowl until melted. Coarsely crush pretzels and graham crackers into pieces (not too small).
- 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 the frozen pie crust, and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the pie is set and the top is golden brown. (*Check the pie about 25 to 30 minutes in and if the top is getting too dark cover it with a piece of foil)
- Let pie cool for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Depending on how you big of slices you want, you can get 8 good size slices or 10 to 12 slices smaller slices. It is a pretty rich pie, so I recommend cutting smaller slices.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
Recipe Source: Southern Living
Does this pie have to be refrigerated?
Hi Carlene, you can store this pie either wrapped in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 days, or you can also keep the pie well-wrapped in the fridge for up to a week. Just bring it to room temperature before serving it.
It is just a seven layer bar mixed up into a pie shell. I’ve made it without the pi’s shell fo FIFTY YEARS!
Would this be a good make ahead pie? Like to make the day before our party. What would be the best way to reheat the whole pie?
Thank you- looks delicious!
Hi Meg! Yes you can make this pie a day ahead and keep it covered or stored in an airtight container at room temperature. To reheat the whole pie I would probably place it in the oven at a low temperature (maybe like 200) just long enough to warm it through. You could also warm pieces individually for a few seconds in the microwave. I really do think this pie is at it’s very best the day you make it, but it is still delicious a day or two after.
This pie sounds fantastic but I have a question about the caramel bits. I’m not sure what a caramel bit is. Do you buy a bag of caramels and cut them up and can you cut them up because they are so solid and sticky.
Hi Gloria, you can buy caramel bits at Target and Walmart. Other grocery stores may sell them as well, but those are the two stores I buy them at. They come in a bag and are little round balls of caramel. Here is a link so you can see what they look like.
Can you make the pie crust or should it be a frozen one?
Hi Allison, I have only ever used a frozen pie crust, but I’m sure you could use a homemade one, I would just be sure and place it in a 10-inch pie plate.