Everything in your pantry goes into this Texas trash pie! Decadent chocolate chips, sweet coconut flakes, salty pretzels, rich pecans, and so much more are packed into each slice. 

close up image of a slice of texas trash pie in a pie pan showing the cross section.

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Even if you’re a big fan of pie, Texas Trash Pie might be a new one for you. It’s something totally different from your standard Banana Cream Pie or Cherry Pie, but it’s different in the best kind of way!

The pie gets its name because it has so many exciting ingredients mixed together. Just put all the “trash” into one pie crust and call it a day! But, in reality, all the mix-ins go so well together and create the perfect sweet and salty pie. It may just become your favorite pie ever. 

top down image of texas trash pie.

Texas Trash Pie Recipe

Besides the amazing flavor of my Texas trash pie, I also adore how easy this recipe is to make. If you know how to measure and stir, you can make this recipe. In fact, you can make Texas trash pie in less than five minutes. Add everything to a big bowl, mix it up, put it in a pie crust, and bake! Your pie will be ready in no time.

The Texas trash pie ingredients I use are also pretty flexible. You can easily omit the ones you don’t like. Or, you can double up on those that you love. I have made Texas trash pie without coconut, with double chocolate, and even with some butterscotch chips thrown in for good luck. Use what you have and love, and you are sure to create the best Texas trash pie ever! 

ingredients to make texas trash pie.

Ingredients for Texas Trash Pie

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions. 

  • Frozen pie crust – Use a store-bought or homemade pie crust. A plain pie crust is perfect. However, if you can find a chocolate pie crust, that will be delicious as well! 
  • Dark chocolate chips – Dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips will work. 
  • Soft caramels – I like to use Werther’s Original soft caramels. They have a lot of flavor and can be found in most grocery stores. 
  • Graham cracker crumbs – Find these pre-made, or crush graham crackers yourself.
  • Shredded sweetened coconut – Unsweetened coconut can be used to make a less sweet Texas trash pie. 
  • Pecans – Buy pre-chopped pecans to save yourself a little time. 
  • Pretzels – Either broken pretzel sticks or twists can be used. 
  • Melted butter
  • Vanilla extract
  • Sweetened condensed milk

Variations

  • Use chocolate graham cracker crumbs to make the pie even more decadent.
  • Swap the pecans for salted peanuts.
  • Use chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups in place of chocolate chips.
  • Add ½ cup of rainbow sprinkles to make the Texas trash pie perfect for a birthday celebration. 
  • Place the pie crust in a greased 9×13 pan, and bake the Texas pie into bars. Texas trash bars are just as good and even easier to eat!

How to Make Texas Trash Pie

  1. Preheat the oven: Set the baking rack in the center of your oven, and preheat it to 350ºF.
  2. Prep the pie crust: Roll out the frozen pie crust and place it in a 9” pie pan. Press the crust down into the pan. You can leave the edge of the pie crust flat. Or, pinch the rim around the edges to make a pretty design.
  3. Mix the filling: Add all of the ingredients for the pie filling to a large bowl and stir well. Make sure everything is well-blended and coated with the sweetened condensed milk and melted butter. The filling will be very thick.
  4. Pour and bake: Pour the filling into the pie crust. Then, bake the pie for about 45 minutes. The top of the pie will be golden brown and no longer jiggly in the center. 
  5. Cool and slice: Let the Texas trash pie cool for about 15 minutes. Then, slice and serve. It is especially delicious with some whipped cream on top!
slice of texas trash pie served on a white round plate.

Quick Tip

This Texas trash pie recipe can easily be doubled or tripled and it doesn’t take any more time to put together. I love making this dessert for a big group and dessert buffets. I also like to have a pie or two in my freezer just in case I need a quick and easy dessert.

How to Store Texas Trash Pie

Once your Texas pie is baked and cooled, you can wrap it with plastic wrap, and store it at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can also keep the pie well-wrapped in the fridge for up to a week. 

My Texas trash pie also freezes well. Double-wrap the pie and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the pie thaw at room temperature. Then, slice, and enjoy! 

You may want to microwave the chilled slices for about 15 seconds to warm them up and freshen up the pie. There is nothing as tasty as a warm, gooey piece of Texas trash pie! 

FAQs

Who created the Texas trash pie?

The Royer’s Roundtop Cafe is the original home of the Texas trash pie. The Royer family created this pie as a comfort food that simply used everything in the kitchen. The pie has since been featured on TV shows and in magazines and remains popular in kitchens and restaurants alike.

Can I use a pre-baked pie crust instead of frozen?

Yes. You can use a par-baked pie crust in place of a frozen crust. You may want to gently lay a piece of foil over the pie halfway through baking to prevent the crust from getting too dark.

How do I serve Texas trash pie?

I like to serve the pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream on top. I also think the pie tastes best when slightly warm. All that melted chocolate and gooey caramel is amazing when it is nice and soft.

What is the most famous pie in Texas?

Pecan pie is the most popular pie in Texas. While Texas trash pie may be absolutely delicious, no one can turn down a classic piece of Southern pecan pie! The people of Texas agree. My chocolate pecan pie is especially incredible.

More Delicious Pie Recipes

A slice of Texas trash pie.

Texas Trash Pie

Everything in your pantry goes into this Texas trash pie! Decadent chocolate chips, sweet coconut flakes, salty pretzels, rich pecans, and so much more are packed into each slice. 
3.88 from 39 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Cooling time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 15 soft caramels, cut into quarters
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup chopped pretzels
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (9-inch) frozen pie crust

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Mix all of the filling ingredients together in a large bowl. Make sure everything is well blended.
    1 cup dark chocolate chips, 15 soft caramels, cut into quarters, 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup chopped pretzels, ½ cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • Pour the filling into the frozen pie crust and spread it flat inside the crust.
    1 (9-inch) frozen pie crust
  • Bake the pie for 45 minutes. The pie should be a dark brown and be set in the center. Let it cool for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • I like to use Werther’s Original soft caramels which are easy to cut and can be found in most grocery stores.
  • No need to thaw the pie crust for this recipe; you can fill the crust straight out of the freezer. 
  • If the top of the pie starts to become too dark as it bakes, gently lay a piece of foil over the top of the pie and continue baking. The foil will block the direct heat from the oven, preventing the top from burning but still letting the filling continue to cook.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 824kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 524mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 505IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 267mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

Comments

  1. If I use graham crust I still bake pie at 360 for allotted time?

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      We recommend starting with 10-15 minutes, and adjusting as needed until the center is set!

  2. Kasey Philpott says:

    Quick question. Is the pie still just as good without the coconut? I’m just not a fan of coconut but love all the other ingredients. Thank you!

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      The coconut adds a slightly chewy consistency that elevates the dish, but it would still probably be super tasty without it!

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