Texas Trash Pie: A Sweet and Salty Delight for Every Occasion

There’s something truly irresistible about combining sweet and salty flavors. Whether it’s in your favorite snacks, candy bars, or baked goods, the contrast between the two creates an explosion of flavor that’s hard to beat. Enter the Texas Trash Pie—a decadent dessert that combines everything you love about sweet and salty treats into one show-stopping pie.

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This dessert is called “trash” because of the mix of ingredients that go into it, and let me tell you—it’s anything but trashy. The recipe brings together a beautiful blend of textures and flavors: from the salty crunch of pretzels, graham crackers, and pecans to the creamy sweetness of caramel bits, chocolate chips, and coconut. All of these delicious elements are baked into a golden, gooey pie that will make you want to eat the entire thing in one sitting (though we recommend pacing yourself).

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or looking for a special treat to make at home, Texas Trash Pie is the dessert to satisfy everyone’s cravings. It’s simple to make, delicious to eat, and sure to be a hit at any party or family dinner.

A Breakdown of Ingredients: What You’ll Need

To make Texas Trash Pie, you don’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated steps. Everything comes together in just a few simple steps using basic pantry staples. Here’s everything you’ll need:

For the Pie:

• 1 frozen deep-dish pie crust (9 or 10-inch): The base for this pie is a deep-dish frozen pie crust, which makes the recipe quick and easy. You don’t have to worry about making the crust from scratch—just grab one from the freezer section.
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips: Chocolate chips are a key ingredient in this dessert, providing the richness and sweetness that balance out the salty components. The semisweet variety gives just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
• 1 cup pretzels, coarsely crushed: The pretzels are what give this pie its salty, crunchy bite. Don’t crush them too finely—you want those satisfying chunks of pretzel to shine through in every bite.
• 1 cup graham crackers, coarsely crushed: Graham crackers add a hint of honey sweetness and a bit of texture to the pie. They pair wonderfully with the chocolate and pretzels for that perfect balance of flavors.
• 1 cup shredded coconut: The coconut brings a chewy, slightly tropical flavor to the pie. It complements the other ingredients beautifully, adding texture and sweetness without being too overpowering.
• ¾ cup pecan pieces: Pecan pieces add a nutty richness to the pie. They bring a bit of crunch and complement the other ingredients, adding depth to the flavor profile.
• 1 cup Kraft caramel bits: Caramel bits are small pieces of caramel that melt perfectly when baked. They create a gooey, luscious texture that makes every bite of this pie irresistible.
• ½ cup (8 tbsp.) butter, melted: The butter helps to bind the filling ingredients together and adds richness to the overall texture of the pie.
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk: Sweetened condensed milk is what turns this pie from a mix of ingredients into a rich, gooey filling. It helps to hold everything together while adding a creamy sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Texas Trash Pie

Now that you have all the ingredients, it’s time to start baking. This pie is so easy to make, even for beginner bakers, yet it tastes like a dessert that came straight from a professional bakery.

1. Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Be sure to place the oven rack on the second-lowest position, so the pie can bake evenly without the top getting too dark too quickly. A well-preheated oven ensures the pie bakes through perfectly.

2. Prepare the Filling

In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter until it’s fully liquefied. You can do this in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds, or on the stovetop if you prefer. Once the butter is melted, set it aside to cool slightly while you prepare the rest of the filling.

Next, coarsely crush the pretzels and graham crackers into pieces, but not too small. You want the pieces to be big enough that they create a nice texture in the pie, but small enough that they mix in well with the other ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, crushed graham crackers, shredded coconut, pecan pieces, caramel bits, melted butter, and the sweetened condensed milk. Stir everything together until it’s evenly blended. The mixture will be slightly thick, but it should hold together nicely when poured into the pie crust.

3. Pour the Filling into the Pie Crust

Now, pour the filling into the frozen pie crust. Spread it out evenly with a spatula, making sure the filling fills the crust completely and is spread to the edges. The filling will be thick, so be sure to smooth it out as much as possible to avoid lumps or uneven cooking.

4. Bake the Pie

Place the pie into the oven and bake it for 40-45 minutes. The pie is done when the top is golden brown and the center is set. Be sure to check the pie around the 25 to 30-minute mark. If the top of the pie is getting too dark, you can cover it with a piece of foil to prevent over-baking.

5. Cool the Pie

Once the pie is finished baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting into it. This resting time allows the filling to set properly, making it easier to slice without making a mess. The pie will still be warm, so you can enjoy it fresh, but it will also set well enough to be served at room temperature.

Flavors and Textures: What Makes Texas Trash Pie So Irresistible?

When you take a bite of Texas Trash Pie, you’re met with a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The salty crunch of the pretzels and the nutty pecans are perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the chocolate chips, caramel, and coconut. The graham crackers contribute a slight honeyed flavor that complements the richness of the caramel and chocolate, while the shredded coconut adds a chewy, tropical note that makes each bite interesting.

The filling itself is gooey and creamy, thanks to the sweetened condensed milk and melted butter. The caramel bits melt beautifully, creating pockets of rich caramel sauce throughout the pie. The overall effect is a perfectly balanced dessert with just the right amount of crunch, creaminess, and sweetness.

Tips for Substitutions and Variations

While Texas Trash Pie is fantastic as-is, there’s always room for customization! Here are a few substitutions and variations you might want to try:

• Gluten-Free Option: If you’re gluten-free, swap out the graham crackers and pretzels for gluten-free alternatives. You can find gluten-free graham crackers and pretzels at most grocery stores or health food markets.
• Nut-Free Version: If you have nut allergies or simply don’t enjoy pecans, you can replace them with another crunchy element, like crushed almonds or even extra pretzels.
• Add More Chocolate: If you’re a chocolate lover, consider adding more semisweet chocolate chips or even a layer of melted chocolate on top before baking for an extra decadent finish.
• For Extra Caramel Flavor: Try drizzling some caramel sauce on top of the pie once it’s baked and cooled. This adds an extra layer of caramel flavor that will send your taste buds over the edge.

Serving Suggestions

Texas Trash Pie is rich and indulgent, so it’s best served in small slices. You can pair it with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce for an even more indulgent treat.

Serve it warm for a gooey, comforting dessert, or let it set and cool for a more firm, sliceable version. Either way, it’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Final Thoughts

Texas Trash Pie is the perfect dessert for anyone who loves the combination of sweet and salty flavors. With its easy-to-follow instructions and simple ingredients, you’ll be able to whip up this crowd-pleasing dessert in no time. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, this pie is sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings and become a new favorite in your dessert repertoire. Happy baking!