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
Scale
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.
