Old Fashioned Sawdust Pie with Coconut and Pecans

When Liam first heard the name sawdust pie, his face scrunched up in confusion. "We're not really eating sawdust, right Mom?" This old fashioned sawdust pie is a Southern classic that gets its name from the coconut flakes and finely chopped pecans that look like wood shavings on top. Below you'll find our family's version, with a dense, almost fudgy filling, plus the classic Kentucky sawdust pie made famous by Patti's 1880s Settlement, with graham cracker crumbs and a gooey center.

A quirky Kentucky classic, Sawdust Pie combines a fudgy, sweet filling with crunchy coconut and pecans that resemble sawdust on top. Rich, comforting, and surprisingly simple with pantry staples—this pie impresses at holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Why You'll Love This Old Fashioned Sawdust Pie

This Southern classic has become our go-to dessert when we need something that looks fancy but uses pantry staples. The texture is what hooks people - each bite has creamy filling, crunchy coconut, and toasted pecans that create this satisfying contrast you don't get with regular pies. It's rich enough that small slices satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth, which means one pie feeds more people than you'd expect. The best part is how forgiving this recipe is - even if your filling isn't smooth or your "sawdust" topping looks a bit messy, it still tastes great.

What makes this sawdust pie recipe so dependable is how it handles different occasions. I've served it at church potlucks where people lined up for seconds, brought it to holiday dinners where it competed with traditional pies and won, and made it for Liam's birthday when he wanted "something different from cake." The coconut and pecans toast while baking, creating this golden top that looks impressive without any special decorating skills. Plus, it gets better after sitting overnight - the flavors blend together and the texture firms up just right for clean slicing.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Old Fashioned Sawdust Pie
• Ingredients for Old Fashioned Sawdust Pie
• How to Make Sawdust Pie
• Kentucky Sawdust Pie (Patti's Style)
• Creative Twists on Sawdust Pie
• Storage Tips
• Equipment For Sawdust Pie
• Smart Swaps for Sawdust Pie
• Time for Southern Comfort!
• FAQ
• Sawdust Pie

Ingredients for Old Fashioned Sawdust Pie

For the Pie Filling:

• Large eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Sweetened coconut flakes
• Chopped pecans
• Pinch of salt

For the Crust:

• Pre-made pie crust or graham cracker crust
• Extra butter for greasing

The "Sawdust" Topping:

• Extra coconut flakes
• More chopped pecans
• Light sprinkle of sugar

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Sawdust Pie

Prepare Your Foundation

• Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease your 9-inch pie pan
• Press store-bought pie crust into pan or use graham cracker crust for easier prep
• Crimp edges if using regular pie crust and prick bottom with fork to prevent puffing
• Set aside while you prepare the rich, sweet filling

Create the Sweet Filling

• Beat eggs in large bowl until light and frothy, about 2-3 minutes
• Gradually add sugar while continuing to beat until mixture is thick and pale
• Stir in melted butter slowly to prevent eggs from cooking
• Mix in vanilla extract and pinch of salt for flavor balance

Add the "Sawdust" Magic

• Fold in flour gently just until combined - don't overmix or pie will be tough
• Stir in most of the coconut flakes and chopped pecans, saving some for topping
• Pour mixture into prepared pie crust and smooth top with back of spoon
• Sprinkle remaining coconut and pecans over surface for that signature sawdust look

Bake to Golden Perfection

• Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken
• Top should be golden brown and coconut pieces nicely toasted
• Cool completely on wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing
• Serve at room temperature or chilled with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Kentucky Sawdust Pie (Patti's Style)

The Kentucky sawdust pie is the version most people know from Patti's 1880s Settlement in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. It skips the butter and flour and uses graham cracker crumbs, which gives it a gooey, chewy center under a crisp golden top. Serve it warm with whipped cream and sliced bananas.

Ingredients (one 9-inch pie, 8 slices)

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
• 4 large eggs (or 7 large egg whites)
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups chopped toasted pecans
• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 9 full sheets)
• 1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
• Whipped cream and sliced bananas, for serving

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Fit the crust into a 9-inch pie plate, crimp the edges, and freeze 10 minutes.
2. Line the crust with parchment, fill with pie weights, and bake 15-18 minutes. Remove the weights and lower the oven to 350°F.
3. Whisk the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the pecans, graham cracker crumbs and coconut until evenly combined; the mixture will be thick.
4. Spread into the crust and bake at 350°F for 25-35 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set but still slightly gooey.
5. Cool 1 hour, then serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream and sliced bananas.

Creative Twists on Sawdust Pie

A few variations we like:

Chocolate Sawdust:

• Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to filling for rich chocolate flavor
• Use chocolate graham cracker crust instead of regular
• Mix mini chocolate chips with coconut and pecans for topping
• Drizzle with melted chocolate after cooling

Bourbon Sawdust:

• Add 2 tablespoons bourbon to filling for adult version
• Toast pecans with pinch of cinnamon before adding
• Serve with bourbon whipped cream on side
• Perfect for holiday gatherings

Storage Tips

Counter Storage (3 days):

• Cover with plastic wrap or store in airtight container
• Keep at room temperature away from heat and sunlight
• Pie improves overnight as flavors blend together
• Texture firms up nicely for clean slicing

Refrigerator Storage (1 week):

• Cover tightly to prevent drying out
• Filling becomes firmer when chilled for easier serving
• Let slices sit at room temperature 15 minutes before serving
• Coconut and pecans stay crunchy even when cold

Make-Ahead Tips:

• Bake completely and let cool before wrapping whole pie
• Rich filling holds up well for advance preparation
• Travels better to events when left uncut
• Slice fresh when ready to serve

Freezing (2 months):

• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap then foil
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving
• Quality stays good but texture may be slightly different
• Best eaten within first month for optimal taste

Equipment For Sawdust Pie

• 9-inch pie pan
• Large mixing bowl for combining ingredients
• Electric mixer or sturdy whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sharp knife for chopping pecans
• Rubber spatula for folding

Smart Swaps for Sawdust Pie

Crust Alternatives:

• Regular pie crust → Graham cracker crust for easier prep
• Store-bought crust → Homemade pastry crust for better flavor
• Traditional crust → Vanilla wafer crust for extra sweetness
• Standard pie shell → Shortbread cookie crust for richer taste

Nut Substitutions:

• Pecans → Walnuts or almonds (chop finely for sawdust effect)
• Tree nuts → Sunflower seeds for nut allergies
• Fresh nuts → Toasted nuts for deeper flavor
• Whole pieces → Finely chopped for better distribution

Coconut Options:

• Sweetened flakes → Unsweetened plus 2 tablespoon extra sugar
• Regular coconut → Toasted coconut for nuttier taste
• Flaked coconut → Shredded coconut (use same amount)

Egg and Dairy Swaps:

• Butter → Coconut oil or vegetable shortening
• Large eggs → 3 medium eggs or flax eggs for vegan version
• Regular sugar → Brown sugar for deeper molasses flavor

Time for Southern Comfort!

This sawdust pie turns simple pantry ingredients into a rich, crunchy-topped pie that disappears fast at potlucks and holiday dinners.

More Southern pies to try: Kentucky Derby Pie, Chocolate Chess Pie, Texas Chocolate Pecan Pie, Coconut Cream Pie and Chess Squares.

Made this sawdust pie? Leave a star rating and a comment below and tell me how it turned out.

FAQ