Kentucky Sawdust Pie is an old-fashioned Southern dessert with a chewy, candy-like filling of shredded coconut, chopped pecans, and graham cracker crumbs baked in a flaky crust. The name comes from the crumbly, sawdust-like texture of the filling, but the flavor is rich, buttery, and sweet. It’s simple to make with pantry staples and slices beautifully for holiday gatherings and potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (including cooling)
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) unbaked deep-dish pie crust
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (125 g) sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheets)
- 1 cup (115 g) chopped pecans
- 7 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate and crimp the edges.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, coconut, graham cracker crumbs, pecans, and salt.
- Add the egg whites: Stir in the egg whites and vanilla until the mixture is evenly moistened and thick.
- Fill: Spoon the mixture into the unbaked pie crust and spread it evenly, mounding slightly in the center.
- Bake: Bake for 40-50 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and the filling is set. Tent the edges with foil if they brown too quickly.
- Cool: Cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing.
- Serve: Slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
- The batter will look dry and crumbly before baking. That’s normal, and the egg whites bind everything together.
- Toast the pecans and coconut at 325°F (160°C) for 5-7 minutes for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Use a deep-dish crust, since the filling is generous. Shallow crusts may overflow.
- Leftover egg yolks can be used for custard, lemon curd, or scrambled eggs.
- Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Not recommended for freezing, as the texture changes after thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 41 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/kentucky-sawdust-pie/
