Description

A beloved Southern classic, the Kentucky Sawdust Pie is a rich, nutty, and chewy dessert featuring shredded coconut, walnuts or pecans, and a buttery crust. Its name comes from the texture—finely shredded ingredients that resemble sawdust—but the flavor is pure comfort and nostalgia. Perfectly sweet, crunchy, and soft in all the right places, this pie captures the heart of Kentucky’s homestyle baking tradition.

Ingredients

Scale

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (or a mix of both)
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Pinch of salt

Optional Add-ins:

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ tsp cinnamon or nutmeg
1 tsp orange or lemon zest

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare crust: Place your unbaked pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish and set aside.
Mix filling: In a large bowl, combine shredded coconut, chopped nuts, sugar, and salt. Add beaten eggs and melted butter, stirring until evenly combined.
Add extras (optional): Mix in chocolate chips, spices, or citrus zest if desired.
Pour filling into the prepared pie crust, spreading evenly.
Bake for 30–40 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center. The top should be lightly crisp, and the filling chewy.
Cool completely before slicing. Serve plain, with whipped cream, or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Make-Ahead Tip: Tastes even better the next day—store covered in the refrigerator.
Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Variations: Substitute different nuts or make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free crust.
Texture Tip: The pie should have a chewy center and crisp edges—avoid overbaking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern / American

Keywords: Kentucky pie, sawdust pie, coconut pie, Southern dessert, easy pie recipe