Texas Trash Pie Recipe

This Texas Trash Pie is a decadent dessert that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet and salty cravings. It’s loaded with a delicious combination of chocolate, pretzels, graham crackers, coconut, pecans, and caramel, all baked into a flaky pie crust. It’s the kind of pie that will have you going back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).

I first came across this recipe a few years ago at a potluck dinner. I was immediately intrigued by the name and the unique combination of ingredients. After one bite, I was hooked! It’s become a favorite in my household, and I often make it for special occasions or potlucks.

Why You’ll Love This Texas Trash Pie

• Sweet and Salty: This pie has the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. It’s a delicious combination that will satisfy your cravings.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, even for beginner bakers.
• Crowd-Pleaser: This pie is always a hit with everyone who tries it. It’s perfect for potlucks, parties, or just a casual get-together with friends and family.
• Versatile: You can easily customize this pie with your favorite types of chocolate, nuts, or candies.

this Recipe

Ingredients for Texas Trash Pie

Here’s what I use to make this delicious pie:

• Frozen Deep Dish Pie Crust: I use a store-bought pie crust for convenience, but you can use your favorite homemade crust if you prefer.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips add a rich chocolate flavor and a gooey texture.
• Pretzels: Coarsely crushed pretzels add a salty crunch.
• Graham Crackers: Coarsely crushed graham crackers add another layer of texture and flavor.
• Shredded Coconut: Adds a chewy texture and a touch of sweetness.
• Pecan Pieces: Pecans add a nutty flavor and crunch.
• Caramel Bits: Kraft caramel bits add a buttery, caramel flavor and a gooey texture.
• Melted Butter: Helps bind the filling together and adds richness.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and creaminess to the filling.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Variations

Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:

• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Use milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips.
• Nutty Delight: Add different types of nuts, like walnuts or almonds.
• Butterscotch Surprise: Add some butterscotch chips to the filling.
• Peanut Butter Twist: Add a cup of peanut butter chips to the filling.

How to Make Texas Trash Pie

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

I start by preheating my oven to 350°F and placing the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.

Step 2: Melt the Butter and Crush the Ingredients

I melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Then, I coarsely crush the pretzels and graham crackers.

Step 3: Combine the Filling Ingredients

In a large bowl, I combine the chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, crushed graham crackers, coconut, pecans, caramel bits, melted butter, and sweetened condensed milk. I stir everything together until it’s well combined.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

I pour the filling into the frozen pie crust and bake it in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the pie is set and the top is golden brown. I keep an eye on the pie and cover it with foil if the top starts to brown too quickly.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

I let the pie cool for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips and Tricks

• Crust Options: You can use a store-bought pie crust or your favorite homemade crust.
• Even Baking: Make sure the oven rack is in the lower third of the oven to prevent the top of the pie from burning.
• Cooling Time: Allowing the pie to cool slightly before slicing will help it to set and prevent the filling from spilling out.

How to Serve

This Texas Trash Pie is delicious on its own, but here are a few ideas for serving it:

• Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect complement to this pie.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream adds a touch of richness.
• Chocolate Sauce: Drizzle some chocolate sauce over the pie for an extra layer of chocolate flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Make Ahead: You can assemble the pie ahead of time and bake it later.
• Freezing: You can freeze the baked pie for up to 2 months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.
• Storing: Store leftover pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of pie crust?
Yes, you can use a graham cracker crust or a shortbread crust if you prefer.

2. Can I use different types of chocolate, nuts, or candies?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the pie with your favorite ingredients.

3. Can I make this pie without sweetened condensed milk?
Yes, you can substitute the sweetened condensed milk with an equal amount of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.

4. How can I reheat the pie?
You can reheat individual slices in the microwave or reheat the whole pie in the oven at a low temperature.

There you have it! A delicious and easy recipe for Texas Trash Pie. I hope you enjoy it!

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