If you’re searching for a nostalgic Southern dessert that brings warmth and charm to any table, the Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe is an absolute must-try. This luscious pie boasts a rich, chewy filling made from coconut, pecans, and a touch of vanilla, all nestled in a buttery graham cracker crust. Despite its quirky name, this dessert is anything but sawdust—it’s a delightful texture that is crumbly yet satisfyingly dense, making it a treasured treat passed down through generations. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or served with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh banana slices, this pie captures the heart of classic Southern baking in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This pie relies on simple but essential ingredients that each play a key role in achieving its signature texture and flavor. Every component, from the nutty pecans to the aromatic vanilla extract, harmonizes beautifully to create a rich, comforting dessert.
- 1 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust: Serves as the sturdy, buttery base that holds all the delicious filling together perfectly.
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs: Adds a sweet, slightly crunchy element that complements the chewy texture.
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut: Brings a tropical sweetness and chewy bite that’s signature to the pie.
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans: Offers a toasty, nutty crunch that balances the sweet ingredients.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create that delightful caramelized top during baking.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- 5 large egg whites: Provide structure and bind the filling while keeping it light and chewy.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses warm, fragrant notes that elevate the entire pie.
- Whipped cream and sliced bananas (optional): Classic toppings that add creaminess and fresh fruitiness to each slice.
How to Make Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get everything ready for baking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, shredded coconut, chopped pecans, sugar, and salt. This blend of dry ingredients creates the dense base layer that defines the texture of your Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe.
Step 2: Beat the Egg Whites
In a separate bowl, gently beat the egg whites just until they become frothy. It’s important not to overbeat them to stiff peaks, as you want the filling to remain dense and chewy, not airy or fluffy. Once frothy, stir in the vanilla extract to infuse a warm, inviting aroma.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the vanilla-scented egg whites into your dry mixture and carefully stir until every crumb is beautifully coated and the filling is evenly combined. This step starts to meld the flavors and textures that make this pie so irresistible.
Step 4: Fill and Bake the Pie
Pour the filling into your unbaked deep-dish pie crust and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Slide the pie into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown top and a center that feels set to the touch — this means your Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe is perfectly cooked and ready to cool.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature. Cooling ensures that the filling finishes setting and creates that signature chewy texture we all love. Once cooled, it’s ready to be sliced and enjoyed!
How to Serve Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a dollop of whipped cream and a few sliced bananas on top of your pie slices is a classic Southern touch that adds creaminess and fresh flavor. The cool, fluffy whipped cream beautifully contrasts the pie’s chewy richness, while the bananas introduce a smooth, fruity note that complements the coconut and pecans.
Side Dishes
This pie pairs wonderfully with a simple cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk to balance its intense sweetness. For a more festive spread, consider serving alongside fresh berries or a light fruit salad to brighten the dessert course.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, transform the Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe into mini tartlets using a muffin tin and smaller pie crusts. Or serve individual slices with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of toasted coconut for an elegant Southern dessert experience your guests will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your pie is completely cool, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to two days, or you can refrigerate it for up to five days to enjoy later without losing its delightful texture.
Freezing
If you want to make this pie in advance, it freezes beautifully! Wrap it securely in plastic wrap and then foil before placing in the freezer. Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe can be frozen for up to two months, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for busy weeks or special occasions.
Reheating
When you’re ready to serve frozen or refrigerated pie, simply let it thaw at room temperature for an hour or so. To refresh the texture, you can warm slices gently in a low-temperature oven (about 300°F) for 10 minutes, which helps bring back that just-baked aroma and flavor.
FAQs
What exactly is Sawdust Pie?
Sawdust Pie is a nostalgic Southern dessert that gets its name from the crumbly, textured filling that resembles sawdust, thanks to shredded coconut, pecans, and graham cracker crumbs. Despite the quirky name, it contains no actual sawdust!
Can I use a regular pie crust instead of a deep-dish?
While a deep-dish crust is traditional and helps hold the filling well, a regular pie crust can also work. Just keep in mind you may need to adjust the baking time slightly and watch the filling’s set as it may spread more.
Is this pie gluten-free?
Unfortunately, the graham cracker crumbs usually contain gluten, so this recipe is not gluten-free as is. However, you could experiment with gluten-free graham cracker alternatives to make it suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
Why should I not overbeat the egg whites?
The egg whites should remain frothy but not whipped to stiff peaks because the pie filling needs to be dense and chewy, not fluffy or cakey. Overbeating alters the texture and can result in a less authentic Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe experience.
How long does this pie last once baked?
Stored properly in the refrigerator, Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe remains delicious for up to five days. Just be sure to cover it well to prevent it from drying out.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making and sharing the Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe that goes beyond just a sweet treat. It’s a slice of Southern heritage filled with rich, comforting flavors that feel like home. I hope you enjoy this dessert as much as I do and that it finds a beloved spot on your dessert rotation, bringing smiles and a little sweetness to your table.
Print
Kentucky Sawdust Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Kentucky Sawdust Pie is a classic Southern dessert known for its unique crumbly texture reminiscent of sawdust. This deep-dish pie combines a crunchy graham cracker crust with a rich, chewy filling made from shredded coconut, chopped pecans, and egg whites, creating a sweet and satisfying treat perfect for any occasion. Served warm or cooled, often complemented with whipped cream and sliced bananas to balance its richness.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 large egg whites
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional for Serving
- Whipped cream
- Sliced bananas
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the pie evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sweetened shredded coconut, chopped pecans, granulated sugar, and salt. Stir these ingredients together thoroughly to distribute all flavors evenly.
- Prepare Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites gently until just frothy. Avoid whipping to stiff peaks as the filling needs a dense, chewy texture rather than airy lightness.
- Add Flavoring: Stir the vanilla extract into the frothy egg whites to infuse the filling with a rich aroma and taste.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the egg white and vanilla mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir everything carefully until the dry mixture is well coated and combined, forming the pie filling.
- Fill Pie Crust: Pour the prepared filling into the unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust. Spread it out evenly to ensure consistent cooking and texture.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Bake until the top turns a golden brown color and the center is fully set but still chewy.
- Cool: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature to help the filling set properly before slicing.
- Serve: Serve slices as is or topped with whipped cream and sliced bananas for an added touch of indulgence and balance to the pie’s sweetness.
Notes
- Despite its name, this pie contains no sawdust; the name refers to its crumbly, textured filling.
- Avoid overbeating the egg whites; the filling should remain dense and chewy rather than light and fluffy.
- This pie is quite rich and sweet, so serving small slices is recommended.
- Using a deep-dish pie crust helps accommodate the thick filling and allows for proper baking.
- For those without bananas or whipped cream, the pie is delicious on its own.
