Texas Trash Pie Is The Slap-Together Dessert We All Need
The Lone Star State is famed for iconic Southern food staples like chicken fried steak, smoked brisket, cowboy caviar, and, of course, the true country classic — bowl o' red, aka chili. Then, there are its boundless savory and sweet pies, from the corn chip-loaded Frito pie to Texas' official dessert, nutty pecan pie. In regards to the state's tasty array of dessert delicacies, the Texas trash pie undoubtedly holds a coveted spot on the list, too.
Texas trash pie features a scrumptious juxtaposition of sweet and salty flavors paired with creamy and crunchy textures. The toothsome treat is very easy to make and combines a variety of pantry essentials you probably already have on hand, including chocolate chips, caramel bits, crumbled graham crackers, crushed pretzels, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans, all of which are then mixed with melted butter and sweetened condensed milk.
The luscious filling ingredients are loaded atop a flaky crust and baked to perfection for a dessert that's arguably equal parts candy bar and pie.
Tips for making a delicious Texas trash pie
Don't let the moniker deter you from trying Texas trash pie — it's anything but garbage. The popular dessert is, well, easy as pie to make and can be assembled in under 15 minutes (it takes about 40-45 minutes to bake). The most time-consuming part of making this indulgent treat is probably the crushing of the graham crackers and pretzels, which can easily be done via a food processor.
If you don't have one on hand, you can achieve the desired crumbly consistency by placing the graham crackers and pretzels in a sealable plastic bag and giving them a few good swipes with a rolling pin or even a hefty glass cup.
You can adjust the pie's sweet flavors by opting for semisweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate chips or unsweetened shredded coconut instead of the sweetened kind. Similarly, you can kick up the saltiness by dusting the pie with a pinch of sea salt.
Don't be afraid to get creative with your filling ingredients, either. Swap out the caramel bits and chocolate for butterscotch chips, toffee bits, or even peanut butter chips. You can also use any nut of your fancy, such as crushed walnuts to peanuts, or even opt to make it nut-free.
The origins of Texas trash pie
The Lone Star State's cherished trash pie reportedly has humble roots in Round Top, Texas. Featuring an inviting blend of rustic charm and Western flair, the small town is located about halfway between Austin and Houston and boasts a population of less than 100 people. Legend has it that the iconic dessert was born at Royers Round Top Café, an Americana-themed, mom-and-pop restaurant that's famed for its country classics like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and beef tenderloin.
Fortunately, for those who can't make the trek out to the Longhorn State — or simply don't feel like making it from scratch — the café does offer nationwide shipping via Goldbelly for the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink style pie.
The café also carries a white Texas trash pie, which, as the name suggests, features white chocolate chips instead of semisweet or milk chocolate. Serve the Texas pastries with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream for a true slice of Southern heaven.