Texas Trash Pie: A Decadent Dessert for Every Occasion
If you’re a fan of sweet, salty, and indulgent desserts, then Texas Trash Pie is about to become your new favorite treat. This scrumptious pie is a mash-up of everything we love in a dessert—chocolate, caramel, pretzels, coconut, and pecans—all layered in a buttery, golden crust. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing for a holiday gathering, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, this dessert is a surefire crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pie Filling:
- 1 frozen deep dish pie crust (9 or 10-inch): The crust serves as the foundation for this delicious pie, providing a buttery, flaky base for all the fillings.
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips: For that rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate experience that every great dessert needs.
- 1 cup pretzels, coarsely crushed: The pretzels bring a delightful crunch and a salty contrast to the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- 1 cup graham crackers, coarsely crushed: These add a touch of cinnamon and sweetness, complementing the salty pretzels.
- 1 cup shredded coconut: The coconut adds a chewy texture and a hint of tropical flavor.
- 3/4 cup pecan pieces: Pecans give the pie a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor, balancing out the sweetness.
- 1 cup Kraft caramel bits: These melt down into a gooey, caramel layer, which gives the pie a rich, sweet finish.
- 1/2 cup (8 tbsp.) butter, melted: Butter binds everything together and gives the pie its delicious richness.
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk: This adds sweetness and helps to hold the pie filling together, creating that luscious, custardy texture.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Position the oven rack on the second-to-lowest spot in your oven. This ensures the pie bakes evenly and doesn’t get too dark on top.
- Prepare the Filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Once melted, coarsely crush the pretzels and graham crackers into pieces, making sure not to go too small. You want some texture in the pie.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all the filling ingredients: chocolate chips, pretzels, graham crackers, shredded coconut, pecans, caramel bits, melted butter, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir until everything is well blended.
- Fill the Pie Crust: Pour the entire filling mixture into the frozen pie crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the pie is set and the top turns golden brown. Be sure to check the pie around 25-30 minutes into baking. If the top starts to get too dark, cover it with a piece of foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Once the pie is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes before cutting. This allows the filling to firm up and makes it easier to slice.
Notes
- Size Matters: This pie is rich and indulgent, so it’s best to cut it into smaller slices. Aim for 8 large slices or 10-12 smaller ones, depending on how much you want to indulge!
- Customize the Pie: You can experiment with different nuts or even add other mix-ins like mini marshmallows or chopped chocolate. Make it your own!
- Avoid Overbaking: Keep an eye on the pie while it’s baking. If the top gets too dark too fast, cover it with foil to prevent burning. You want a golden-brown top with a set filling.
- Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, serve this pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The cold, creamy contrast to the warm, gooey pie is divine!