“Mom, are you making that pie with all the stuff in it?” That’s how I know it’s time to whip up a Texas Trash Pie. It’s become a household staple, and honestly, I was surprised at how much the kids loved it! This pie is a complete win in my book, not only because it’s easy, but because it’s pure comfort in every bite. I’m Beatriz from MommiesMore, and I’m all about finding solutions to feed our families without losing our minds in the process. This Texas Trash Pie is my attempt to bring a delicious, comforting dessert to the table without spending all day in the kitchen. I love simple solutions that feel like a big hug after a long day. If you are a busy mom seeking simple comfort food, let’s get baking!
This recipe is pure genius. It’s satisfying and brings smiles to everyone’s faces.
It’s a great way to use up odds and ends you have in your pantry. Plus, the combination of salty and sweet is simply irresistible!
When I first made this Texas Trash Pie, I thought, “This is too easy to be this good.” Boy, was I wrong!
INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:
- 1 package (14.4 ounces) graham cracker crust
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup caramel bits
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Trust me, this Texas Trash Pie ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store.
If you don’t have butterscotch chips on hand, don’t worry! I sometimes use peanut butter chips for extra comfort in my Texas Trash Pie.
This Texas Trash Pie proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive. It’s a budget-friendly way to treat your family.
My family gets extra comfort when I add a sprinkle of sea salt on top. It enhances all the sweet flavors!
For a shortcut, buy pre-chopped pecans. It saves so much time, and time is precious!
Here’s a Texas Trash Pie comfort hack that changed our family’s dinnertime: I keep a stash of these ingredients on hand, so I can whip it up whenever we need a little extra something special.
Let’s Make it Happen!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is important to get the pie baking evenly.
- In a large bowl, combine the pecans, chocolate chips, coconut, butterscotch chips, and caramel bits. Mix it well!
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the mixture. Make sure everything is coated.
- Add the melted butter to the bowl and stir until all ingredients are well combined. It should be a delicious, gooey mess.
- Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust. Spread it evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and lightly golden brown. In my busy kitchen, this comforting Texas Trash Pie usually takes about 28 minutes. But every oven is different, so keep an eye on it!
- Let the Texas Trash Pie cool completely before serving. This is the hardest part, I know! This will allow all the flavors to meld together.
- Here’s where I used to struggle with my Texas Trash Pie – learn from my experience! I didn’t let it cool enough. Now I make sure it’s completely cool before cutting into it.
- While your Texas Trash Pie is cooking, take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family!
- Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch! Multi-tasking is key in my world!
- Don’t worry if your Texas Trash Pie looks a little wobbly when you take it out of the oven. It will set as it cools.
- Your Texas Trash Pie should smell amazing by now! That warm, sweet aroma is heavenly.
How We Love to Eat This!
The kids devour this comforting Texas Trash Pie when I serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect complement!
This Texas Trash Pie is perfect for those busy weeknights when we need comfort food fast! It’s so easy to put together.
We also love to make this pie for potlucks. It’s always a hit!
For presentation, I like to sprinkle a little extra chocolate chips on top. It makes it look extra special.
Got leftovers? (If you’re lucky!) This Texas Trash Pie is delicious cold straight from the fridge.
I’ve tried a seasonal variation by adding chopped-up peppermint candies during the holidays. It was a festive and fun twist on this Texas Trash Pie.
When friends come over, they always rave about this pie! It’s become my signature dessert. This comforting Texas Trash Pie reminds me of another family favorite, Texas Chocolate Pecan Pie.
For more simple comfort food ideas for busy families, check out Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet.
Yummy and easy dessert I make a Texas trash pie with pecans…
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Is this Texas Trash Pie really filling enough for growing kids?
Absolutely! The sweetened condensed milk and all the mix-ins make it surprisingly satisfying. Plus, a little goes a long way.
What if my picky eater won’t try this Texas Trash Pie?
Start with a small slice and tell them it’s a “treasure hunt” pie. All the different textures and flavors might intrigue them!
Can I meal prep this Texas Trash Pie for busy weeks ahead?
You can definitely make it a day or two in advance. Just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Can I use a different kind of crust for my Texas Trash Pie?
Yes! A shortbread crust or even a homemade graham cracker crust would work beautifully.
Can I freeze my Texas Trash Pie?
I haven’t tried freezing it, but I don’t see why not!
What if I am missing an ingredient?
If you are missing ingredients, substitute what you have.
Do I have to use nuts?
You don’t have to use nuts.
Texas Trash Pie (Easy Recipe!) | All Things Mamma is a great resource for additional tips.
Final Thoughts:
This Texas Trash Pie supports my family’s comfort food goals because it’s quick, easy, and everyone loves it. It’s a simple way to bring a little joy to our busy lives.
My Texas Trash Pie Comfort Hacks:
- Pre-chop your pecans: Saves time and effort!
- Use parchment paper: Place it underneath the pie pan to prevent any spills from sticking to the oven.
- Don’t overbake: It’s better to underbake slightly than to overbake and dry out the filling.
Here are a few family-tested Texas Trash Pie variations:
- Peanut Butter Cup: Add chopped peanut butter cups for a chocolate-peanut butter twist.
- S’mores: Add mini marshmallows and a drizzle of chocolate syrup for a s’mores vibe.
- Salted Caramel: Add a sprinkle of sea salt and extra caramel bits for a salted caramel sensation.
My son prefers the S’mores version, while my daughter loves the classic. I am a pecan pie lover so naturally, I gravitate to the salted caramel variety.
I encourage you to make it your own way! This easy Texas Trash Pie is a blank canvas for your family’s favorite flavors.
My hope is that this recipe brings your family as much joy and comfort as it has brought mine. Don’t stress about perfection – just enjoy the process of creating something delicious together. It’s so similar to Texas Trash Pie – 5 Boys Baker.
I hope your family enjoys this satisfying Texas Trash Pie. Happy baking!
Texas Trash Pie
This Texas Trash Pie is a deliciously decadent dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make. With a pretzel crust and a sweet, crunchy filling, it’s a crowd-pleasing treat perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) package pretzel sticks, crushed
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together vanilla pudding mix and milk until thickened.
- Pour pudding mixture over the pretzel crust.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over the pudding layer.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans and shredded coconut.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
For an extra touch, drizzle with caramel sauce before serving. You can also substitute walnuts or other nuts for the pecans.