Texas Trash Pie Recipe: If you’ve never had Texas Trash Pie, you’re in for a wild treat. This pie is a glorious mess — the kind of delicious disaster that only Texas could invent. It’s rich, indulgent, packed with a crazy mix of ingredients like chocolate chips, pretzels, coconut, and more. And the best part? It’s ridiculously easy to make, even if you’ve never baked a pie in your life.
This guide will walk you through everything: from ingredients to serving tips, storage to customization. By the time you’re done reading (and baking), you’ll have a dessert so addictive your friends will be begging for the recipe.
What is Texas Trash Pie?
Texas Trash Pie is basically the kitchen sink of pies — and we mean that in the best way possible. It’s a Southern-style dessert that mixes sweet and salty ingredients into one gooey, chewy, crunchy masterpiece. Think of it as a cross between a pecan pie and a candy bar, with layers of flavor and texture in every bite.
It gets its name because you throw in everything that’s lying around in your pantry — chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, graham crackers, pretzels, even butterscotch chips. Despite the chaotic mix, it all bakes up into a harmonious and delicious dessert that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
History and Origin of Texas Trash Pie
Texas Trash Pie was popularized by the legendary Royers Round Top Café in Round Top, Texas. Their original version was a way to use up leftover ingredients from the kitchen, resulting in a hodgepodge pie that became a customer favorite.
The pie quickly gained fame beyond the café thanks to its outrageous flavor and texture combo. People started experimenting with their own versions at home, and now it’s a cult classic — often appearing at bake sales, potlucks, and family dinners across the South and beyond.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let’s get one thing straight: Texas Trash Pie isn’t subtle. It’s not trying to be elegant or sophisticated. But that’s what makes it so amazing.
Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- Quick and easy: You don’t need to be a baking pro.
- Minimal cleanup: One bowl, one crust, done.
- Crazy flavorful: Sweet, salty, gooey, crunchy — it’s got it all.
- Highly customizable: Don’t like coconut? Leave it out. Want more chocolate? Go for it.
- Perfect for crowds: This is the kind of dessert that disappears fast at parties.
It’s basically dessert chaos — and you’ll love every bite of it.
List of Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to bring the magic of Texas Trash Pie to life. Feel free to mix and match depending on what’s in your pantry!
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
Wet Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
Optional Add-ins
- Crushed potato chips (for extra saltiness)
- Mini marshmallows
- Dried cranberries or raisins
- Peanut butter chips
- Crushed cookies (like Oreos or Nilla Wafers)
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Nothing fancy here. You’ll need:
- Mixing bowl
- Rubber spatula or spoon
- 9-inch pie pan
- Measuring cups
- Oven
- Cooling rack
Preparation Tips Before You Start
Before diving in, a few quick tips:
- Pre-measure your ingredients. This makes it easier to mix everything quickly and evenly.
- Let your pie crust come to room temperature if using store-bought.
- Lightly spray your pie pan or use parchment paper if you’re worried about sticking.
- Chop larger nuts so they distribute more evenly.
- Don’t overfill — the mixture will expand and bubble as it bakes.
Ready to bake? Let’s go.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Texas Trash Pie
Step 1: Prepare Your Crust
Start by fitting your pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan. If you’re using store-bought, unroll it and press it into the pan gently. Crimp the edges or leave them rustic — your call.
Pro tip: Chill the crust in the fridge while you prep the filling. This helps it hold its shape during baking.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Grab a big bowl and toss in:
- Chocolate chips
- White chocolate chips
- Butterscotch chips
- Coconut
- Nuts
- Pretzels
- Graham cracker crumbs
Mix it all up until it looks like a snack mix you’d eat by the handful. Seriously, it’s tempting.
Step 3: Mix in the Wet Ingredients
Now pour in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is fully coated. It’ll look sticky and chunky — that’s perfect.
The condensed milk is the secret weapon here. It binds everything together and gives the pie its signature chewy texture once baked.
Step 4: Fill the Pie Crust
Scoop the mixture into the prepared pie crust. Press it down gently with a spatula or spoon to even it out. Don’t pack it too tight — just enough to level it.
You want the surface to be fairly flat so it bakes evenly.
Step 5: Bake the Pie
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place the pie on the middle rack and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling slightly.
If the edges start to brown too fast, cover them with foil to prevent burning.
Don’t overbake — it’ll continue to set as it cools.
Step 6: Cool and Set
Once baked, remove the pie and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool completely — at least 2 hours — before slicing.
This step is crucial. The pie firms up as it cools, giving you clean slices with that perfect gooey center.
Serving Suggestions
Once your Texas Trash Pie is cool and set, it’s time for the best part — digging in. But before you grab a fork and go wild, consider these fun and delicious ways to serve it:
- A la Mode: Warm up a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, then top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of cold ice cream and warm, gooey pie is chef’s kiss.
- Drizzle It: A little chocolate syrup or caramel sauce on top? Yes, please.
- Whipped Cream: For a lighter touch, a swirl of whipped cream balances the richness beautifully.
- Holiday Style: Garnish with crushed candy canes during the holidays or themed sprinkles for birthdays and celebrations.
It’s also perfect as-is, straight from the fridge or room temperature. There’s really no wrong way to enjoy this pie.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Texas Trash Pie stores surprisingly well, which makes it ideal for make-ahead treats or keeping on hand for sweet cravings.
Here’s how to store it properly:
- Room Temperature: Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. It can sit at room temp for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: For longer freshness, store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just let it come to room temp before serving, or give it a quick warm-up in the microwave.
- Cover Slices Individually: If you’re packing it for lunches or snacks, wrap individual slices in foil or parchment paper for easy grab-and-go treats.
This pie doesn’t get soggy or weird — it just gets better as the flavors meld together.
Can You Freeze Texas Trash Pie?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze Texas Trash Pie — and it freezes like a dream.
Here’s how:
- Cool completely before freezing.
- Wrap the entire pie (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil.
- Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours. You can even pop slices in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes to refresh that fresh-baked taste.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While Texas Trash Pie is super simple, a few common mistakes can mess with the results. Let’s make sure you avoid them:
- Overbaking: This is the #1 issue. The pie will look soft in the middle when it’s done — that’s okay! It firms up as it cools.
- Using too many wet add-ins: Marshmallows or sticky candies can make the pie overly gooey or unstable. Keep wet add-ins minimal.
- Not cooling before slicing: Cutting the pie too early will result in a melty, messy mess. Tempting, but wait!
- Skipping crust protection: The edges can burn before the middle sets. Use foil to protect them if needed.
Keep these in mind, and your pie will be near perfection every time.
Variations of the Texas Trash Pie
One of the best things about Texas Trash Pie? You can customize it in so many different ways. Here are some fun twists to try:
1. Peanut Butter Lovers’ Pie
Add peanut butter chips or swirl in some peanut butter before baking. It gives it a Reese’s-style richness that’s hard to resist.
2. S’mores Trash Pie
Toss in mini marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, and chunks of milk chocolate. It’s like campfire dessert in a pie shell.
3. Caramel Pretzel Crunch
Use caramel chips instead of butterscotch, and double the pretzels for an ultra-salty-sweet combo.
4. Candy Explosion
Use chopped-up leftover Halloween or holiday candy — Snickers, M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, Twix. It’s like a candy bar pie.
5. Gluten-Free Version
Use a gluten-free crust and certified gluten-free pretzels and chips. The rest of the ingredients can easily be swapped to be GF.
Get creative — the base recipe is forgiving and fun. It’s basically the “choose your own adventure” of desserts.
Is Texas Trash Pie Gluten-Free?
Not by default, but it can easily be adapted to be gluten-free with a few substitutions:
- Use a gluten-free pie crust (store-bought or homemade).
- Replace pretzels and graham crackers with GF versions.
- Double-check that your chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and any other add-ins are certified gluten-free (most are, but it’s always best to check the label).
With these changes, you can enjoy all the gooey, salty-sweet goodness without the gluten.
FAQs about Texas Trash Pie Recipe
1. Can I make Texas Trash Pie ahead of time?
Absolutely. It actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Make it the night before and store it at room temp or in the fridge.
2. What’s the best way to reheat Texas Trash Pie?
Microwave slices for 10–15 seconds or warm the whole pie in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.
3. Can I use a graham cracker crust instead of traditional pie crust?
Yes! It adds a nice crunch and works especially well if you want extra graham flavor.
4. Can I make it without coconut?
Definitely. Coconut adds texture and sweetness, but you can leave it out or replace it with more chips, nuts, or crushed cookies.
5. What’s the best way to cut clean slices?
Let the pie cool completely and chill it in the fridge before slicing. Use a sharp knife, and wipe it between cuts for the cleanest results.
Final Thoughts
Texas Trash Pie might not win any awards for being the prettiest dessert, but when it comes to flavor and fun, it’s truly unbeatable. It’s the kind of dessert that turns heads, starts conversations, and makes people ask for seconds (and thirds).
Whether you’re baking it for a party, a family dinner, or just because your pantry is overflowing with snacks — this pie is always a win. It’s chaotic, comforting, and completely crave-worthy. So go ahead and make one — and don’t be surprised if it disappears faster than you expect.
