Sawdust Pie Recipe

Homemade Sawdust Pie Recipe: Sweet Country Magic in Minutes

Sweet sawdust pie represents a nostalgic dessert with surprising Southern roots and unexpected charm.

Regional bakers developed this unique confection using simple pantry ingredients that create magical textures.

Crumbly and delicate, the pie challenges traditional dessert expectations with its rustic composition.

Wild culinary traditions often emerge from resourceful home cooks seeking delicious solutions with limited resources.

Nutty and rich, the pie delivers complex flavors that dance between sweet and earthy notes.

Generations of families have treasured this unpretentious recipe, passing down its delightful secrets from kitchen to kitchen.

Curious bakers will love uncovering the delectable magic hidden within this unconventional dessert.

Sawdust Pie That’s Packed with Texture and Flavor

  • Whip Up a Unique Dessert: Sawdust pie offers a delightfully unexpected twist on traditional pie, combining unexpected ingredients like coconut, graham cracker crumbs, and nuts into one magical creation.
  • Embrace Simple Baking Magic: This recipe requires minimal kitchen skills, with straightforward mixing and baking steps that even novice bakers can master effortlessly in under an hour.
  • Celebrate Texture Wonderland: Each bite delivers a perfect blend of crunchy nuts, shredded coconut, and crisp graham cracker crumbs, creating a delightful contrast that dances across your taste buds.
  • Enjoy Flexible Serving Options: Whether served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, this versatile pie adapts to your mood and preference, making it a crowd-pleasing dessert for any gathering or quiet evening treat.

Everything You’ll Need for a Classic Sawdust Pie

Pie Base:
  • Pie Crust: Deep-dish crust that provides a sturdy foundation for the sweet filling, can be homemade or store-bought for convenience.
Sweeteners and Dry Ingredients:
  • White Granulated Sugar, Shredded Coconut, Graham Cracker Crumbs: Classic combination that creates a sweet, textured base with tropical and crunchy undertones.
  • Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: Adds rich nutty flavor and provides pleasant crunch, preferably fresh and crisp nuts for best taste.
Binding Ingredient:
  • Egg Whites: Crucial for holding the pie together, helps create a light and airy texture, best when freshly separated from eggs.

Steps for Baking Sawdust Pie at Home

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Set a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F / 180°C / gas mark 4.

Step 2: Ready the Pie Crust

For homemade crust:
  • Roll out dough into a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan
  • Crimp edges neatly
  • Refrigerate while preparing filling
For store-bought crust:
  • Ensure crust is completely thawed

Step 3: Create the Filling Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Shredded coconut
  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Chopped nuts

Add egg whites and stir until ingredients are completely blended and moistened.

Step 4: Assemble the Pie

Pour filling into prepared pie crust, smoothing the top for even baking.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide pie into preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes until top turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Remove pie from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 20 to 30 minutes.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled- whatever makes your taste buds dance!

Step 7: Store with Care

Keep any leftover slices covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Pro tip: If you can resist eating it all in one sitting!

Bonus Tip: This pie is a delightful crowd-pleaser that works for dessert, potlucks, or a sweet midnight snack. Enjoy every crumbly, coconutty bite!

Tips for Perfectly Set, Crumbly Sawdust Pie

  • Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients to maintain the perfect texture and balance of the sawdust pie.
  • Whip Egg Whites Carefully: Gently fold egg whites to keep the filling light and airy, avoiding overmixing that could deflate the mixture.
  • Watch Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the pie during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning, as the top can quickly turn from golden to burnt.
  • Chill for Firmer Slice: Refrigerate the pie for a couple of hours before serving to help it set and make cutting cleaner, more defined slices.
  • Customize Nuts: Experiment with different nuts like pecans or walnuts to add your personal twist to this classic dessert, enhancing its flavor and crunch.

Storing and Reheating Sawdust Pie for Later

  • Refrigerate: Seal the pie in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Freeze: Carefully place the cooled pie in a freezer-safe container, protecting it from freezer burn, and store for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
  • Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or restore the pie's crisp texture by heating in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes until just warmed through.

What to Serve with a Slice of Sawdust Pie

  • Pair with Bourbon Bliss: Serve a smooth, caramel-rich Kentucky bourbon alongside the sawdust pie to complement its nutty and sweet profile, creating a delightful Southern-inspired dessert experience.
  • Coffee Companion Craving: Brew a dark roast or espresso to cut through the pie's sweetness, enhancing the nutty coconut flavors and providing a robust contrast to the delicate texture.
  • Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream Indulgence: Top a slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold, smooth cream melt slightly and blend with the pie's crisp, textured surface for a heavenly dessert combination.

Mix-Ins to Change Up Your Sawdust Pie Game

  • Chocolate Nutty Sawdust Pie: Replace graham cracker crumbs with crushed chocolate cookies and mix in dark chocolate chips for an intense chocolate flavor that deepens the dessert's richness.
  • Tropical Sawdust Pie: Swap regular nuts with macadamia nuts and add dried pineapple chunks to give the pie a Hawaiian-inspired profile with sweet and tangy undertones.
  • Spiced Autumn Sawdust Pie: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger into the filling, creating a warm seasonal version that captures cozy fall essence.
  • Maple Pecan Sawdust Pie: Substitute some granulated sugar with maple syrup and use pecans instead of mixed nuts, bringing a rich caramel-like sweetness and deeper nuttiness to the classic recipe.
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Sawdust Pie Recipe

Sawdust Pie Recipe


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4.9 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sawdust pie brings Southern charm straight from Kentucky’s hearty kitchens. Pecans, coconut, and graham crackers create a rustic dessert that whisks you into pure comfort with each delightful slice.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (300 g / 10.5 oz) white granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (170 g / 6 oz) chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1 ½ cups (150 g / 5.3 oz) shredded coconut

Crumb Base:

  • 1 ½ cups (170 g / 6 oz) graham cracker crumbs

Binding Ingredient:

  • 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) egg whites (from 7 to 9 eggs)

Crust:

  • 1 9-inch deep-dish pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

Instructions

  1. Position an oven rack centrally and warm the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal baking environment for the unique sawdust pie.
  2. Carefully unroll or prepare the pie crust, pressing it gently into a deep-dish pie pan with precise, decorative crimped edges.
  3. Place the prepared crust in the refrigerator to maintain its structural integrity while assembling the filling.
  4. Select a spacious mixing bowl and combine the granulated sugar, shredded coconut, finely crushed graham cracker crumbs, and roughly chopped nuts.
  5. Gently introduce egg whites into the dry ingredient mixture, stirring methodically until the components integrate into a cohesive, slightly moistened texture.
  6. Transfer the filling into the chilled pie crust, using a spatula to distribute the mixture evenly and create a smooth, uniform surface.
  7. Slide the pie into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 45-55 minutes until the top transforms into a rich, golden-brown canvas.
  8. Remove the pie from the oven and position it on a wire cooling rack, permitting it to rest and settle for 20-30 minutes.
  9. Slice and serve the pie at various temperatures – warm, room temperature, or chilled – depending on personal preference.
  10. Preserve any remaining pie by covering and refrigerating, ensuring optimal freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Whip up this Southern classic with minimal ingredients, perfect for unexpected guests or last-minute dessert cravings.
  • Graham cracker crumbs and egg whites create a unique texture that mimics sawdust, giving the pie its quirky name.
  • Nutty and sweet, this pie surprises first-time tasters with its delightful simplicity and rich, comforting flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 37.5 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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