Texas Trash Pie

Texas Trash Pie is a sweet-and-salty dessert filled with chocolate chips, caramel bits, coconut, pecans, pretzels, and graham cracker crumbs—all baked in a buttery pie crust.

this Recipe

Okay, I’ve got a confession to make. Texas Trash Pie was never something I planned to make. It was one of those spur-of-the-moment, scavenger-hunt-through-the-pantry type of creations. But isn’t that how the best comfort foods are born? I was having one of those weeks where everything just feels a little off—you know, the kind where you’re reaching for chocolate by Wednesday morning like it’s a life raft.

I was craving something outrageously sweet and comforting, but nothing in the pantry seemed quite right. Chocolate chips? Too basic. Pretzels? Too boring. Caramel bits? Almost there but not quite. And then it hit me—why not just toss it all together and see what happens? What’s the worst that could go wrong, right?

Somehow, this wild combination of ingredients came together in a way that honestly shouldn’t work but absolutely does. I call it my “Hail Mary Dessert.” It’s so over-the-top with sweet and salty goodness that you can’t help but fall for it. And honestly, it’s got a bit of that Texas spirit in it—bold, messy, and a little bit wild.

Now, it’s become a staple whenever friends come over because it’s one of those dishes where everyone insists on “just one more slice.” And hey, if you mess it up? It’s Texas Trash Pie—throwing stuff together and hoping for the best is kind of the whole point.

Why You’ll Love This Texas Trash Pie Recipe?

• Easy to Make: It’s basically a dump-and-bake situation. No precision or perfection required, which is a huge plus when you’re craving something fast and indulgent.

• Endless Customization: The beauty of Texas Trash Pie is you can swap ingredients like crazy. Peanut butter chips? Sure. Butterscotch? Why not. This pie embraces chaos.

• Perfect for Sharing (Or Not): It’s big, rich, and loaded with enough sweetness to feed a crowd. Or just you on a really bad Tuesday. No judgment.

• Sweet & Salty Heaven: That perfect balance of flavors—chocolate, caramel, pretzels, and coconut. It’s like a dessert charcuterie board in pie form.

• Incredibly Forgiving: Forgot the pecans? No biggie. Overbaked it a little? Still delicious. This pie is like that one friend who’s always down for anything.

Ingredient Notes:

So, here’s what we’re working with. It’s a hodgepodge of snacks and pantry staples, but somehow, it works.

• Chocolate Chips: I love using semi-sweet, but honestly, any chocolate works. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate… mix it up if you’re feeling adventurous.

• Caramel Bits: Those little nuggets of sweetness that melt down beautifully. If you can’t find them, just chop up soft caramels. Same vibe, slightly messier.

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Adds a bit of classic dessert flavor. If you’re out of graham crackers, crushed cookies work just fine.

• Sweetened Coconut: Brings a bit of chewy texture and a touch of tropical sweetness. Not into coconut? Skip it. It’s your pie, after all.

• Pecans: Adds crunch and a slightly earthy taste. Walnuts or almonds would work just as well.

• Pretzels: The salty crunch that makes everything else pop. You could even swap them for potato chips if you’re feeling wild.

• Butter & Sweetened Condensed Milk: These two are the glue that holds everything together. You can’t skip ‘em.

• Pie Crust: Store-bought or homemade, doesn’t matter. Just make sure it’s deep-dish because we’re piling a lot of goodness in there.

How To Make Texas Trash Pie?

The beauty of this recipe? It’s practically impossible to mess up.

Step 1. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, you can start tossing your ingredients together.

Step 2. Mix Everything Together
In a big bowl, combine the chocolate chips, caramel bits, graham cracker crumbs, coconut, pecans, and pretzels. Pour in the melted butter and sweetened condensed milk, and stir until everything is coated and deliciously gooey. It’ll look like an absolute mess—exactly what you want.

Step 3. Assemble Your Pie
Pour the whole chaotic mixture into your deep-dish pie crust. Spread it out evenly with a spoon or spatula. It’s not going to look pretty, but that’s kind of the point.

Step 4. Bake It Up
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and set. Don’t panic if the edges look a little crispy—it adds character.

Step 5. Cool and Slice
Let the pie cool completely before slicing, if you can wait that long. It’ll firm up as it cools, making it easier to cut. But hey, if you want to dig in while it’s still molten hot, I’m not stopping you.

Storage Options:

This pie actually gets better the longer it sits. Keep it covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or, if you want it to last longer, store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just let it come to room temperature before serving.

Want to freeze it? Go for it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge before serving.

Variations and Substitutions:

The beauty of Texas Trash Pie is its flexibility. Want to put your own spin on it? Here’s how:

• Swap the Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, even cashews would be amazing.

• Add Peanut Butter Chips: Because, why not?

• Top it Off: Ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce. The more, the merrier.

• Try Different Chips: Butterscotch, white chocolate, dark chocolate—whatever you’ve got lying around.

What to Serve with Texas Trash Pie?

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

• Fresh berries for some tartness to balance out all that sweet.

• A hot cup of coffee or cold glass of milk. It’s a rich dessert—you’ll want something to wash it down.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! It’s actually better the next day. The flavors meld together into this ridiculous, decadent experience.

What if I don’t have pecans?
No problem! Use walnuts or almonds. Or leave them out completely—this pie isn’t picky.

Seriously, this pie is just plain fun. It’s messy, it’s over-the-top, and it’s impossible to resist. Try it out and let me know if you’re as obsessed as I am!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Ham And Cheese Hash Brown Casserole

Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie

Succulent Slow Cooker Beef Tips in a Flavorful Onion and Mushroom Sauce

Texas Trash Pie

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Experience the allure of Texas Trash Pie, a masterpiece that skillfully blends the playful flavors of a traditional American dessert with an innovative twist. Each delectable slice presents a symphony of contrasts; the luscious and velvety chocolate chips seamlessly mingle with the smooth caramel while the rustic crunch of graham cracker crumbs, the subtle tropical essence of coconut and the earthy nutty undertones of chopped pecans gracefully dance on your palate. To add to this medley there is a touch of savory saltiness, from pretzels and a sumptuous depth, from the buttery pie crust. This dessert not only tantalizes your taste buds. Also weaves together a narrative of flavor harmony. It epitomizes exploration making it ideal for those who relish an incredibly delicious dessert.

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6 Servings

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 1 c chocolate chips
• 1 c caramel bits
• 1 c graham cracker crumbs
• 1 c shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 c pecans chopped
• 1 c pretzels chopped
• ½ c butter melted
• 1 14-ounces can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 9-inch frozen deep dish pie crust

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Instructions

 

1. Set the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl combine the chocolate chips, caramel bits, graham cracker crumbs, shredded coconut chopped pecans and chopped pretzels.
3. Pour in the butter and sweetened condensed milk. Stir everything together until it is well mixed.
4. Take out your deep dish pie crust. Fill it with the mixture spreading it evenly.
5. Put the pie in the oven. Let it bake for about 40 to 45 minutes until it sets and turns golden, on top.
6. Once baked take out the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack.
7. Enjoy your Texas Trash Pie once it has cooled down!

Notes

For those who adore the decadent flavors of Texas Trash Pie but require a gluten-free option, here's an original twist to adapt this delightful recipe. Begin by substituting the graham cracker crumbs with your favorite gluten-free cookie crumbs – think almond cookies or coconut biscuits for an extra layer of flavor. For the pie crust, opt for a gluten-free frozen deep dish pie crust, now readily available in most supermarkets. The chocolate chips and caramel bits are generally gluten-free, but it's always wise to check the labels. As for the pretzels, select a gluten-free variety, which adds the same satisfying crunch without the gluten.

Audrey

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Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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