What In The World Is A Sawdust Pie

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I Love A Good Story About An Entrepreneurial Woman

Let me put your mind at ease. There is absolutely no sawdust in Sawdust Pie. Thank goodness, right?

The pie got its unusual name because when you combine the ingredients: coconut, graham cracker crumbs, pecans, sugar, and egg whites, the mixture looks like sawdust, but it all tastes amazing when baked in a pie!

There is a business in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, a town of about 350 people, called Patti's 1880 Settlement. Entrepreneurs Patti Tullar and her husband Bill fell in love with the little community in 1975 and bought a motel. By 1977, the motel evolved into a restaurant, and the business prospered.

Patti's hospitality and amazing cooking skills brought hordes of customers, and many begged for her recipes, but Patti would not give them out. Her reputation grew and grew!

This pie became famous when Patti was contacted by Bon Appetit magazine in 1983, asking for her Sawdust Pie recipe. Patti said yes. You can read about it here and see a picture of young Patti herself.

I love stories like this, especially when they involve making people happy by feeding them! Today, the two restaurants at Patti's 1880 Settlement serve over 350,000 people each year and have become a true tourist destination.

Here's How To Make Patti's Famous Sawdust Pie

Sawdust pie is quick and easy to make. The filling is the star of the show, so there's no shame in using a store-bought pie crust. However, if you want to make your own crust, here is the best pie crust recipe you will ever make, and it's so easy. I call it Patty Cake Pie Crust.

This pie goes together fast, so turn your oven to 350 degrees before you begin.

The recipe includes seven egg whites, so begin by separating the eggs. It's easiest to do when the eggs are very cold, right out of the refrigerator. Put the egg whites into a bowl and stir in the other ingredients. You don't need to get out your mixer; you only need a spoon or rubber spatula.

Are you wondering what to do with seven egg yolks? Don't let that stop you! My first idea is to make homemade noodles using this recipe, which only uses yolks.

You could also use egg yolks to make some yummy Hollandaise, which is wonderful on so many things! Here's an easy hollandaise sauce recipe from Amy, a fellow Nebraskan at House of Nash Eats!! You can also add extra egg yolks when you make scrambled eggs!

How To Bake A Sawdust Pie

Pour that mixture into a prepared pie crust and pop it into the oven for about thirty-five minutes. You don't want to overbake it; the center should still be gooey, and it will set up a bit as it cools.

Here's what the baked pie looks like. The top will be golden brown and beautiful!

You can serve it warm, cold, or at room temperature, but if you serve it warm, you should let it cool for twenty or thirty minutes to set up. This pie may become your family's favorite pie!

At Patti's restaurant, the pie is always served with whipped cream and sliced bananas. That may sound a little odd, but it is the most amazing combination! Ice cream sounds pretty amazing as a topping for this pie, too!

I am crazy about pie! Here are two of our most popular (and my husband's favorite) pie recipes: Lemon Meringue Pie and Coconut Cream Pie. What's your favorite pie? I sure hope you try Sawdust Pie! Let me know what you think!

PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD

Yield: 8 to 10 slices

Sawdust Pie

Print

Sawdust pie became famous when Patti Tullar allowed Bon Appetit magazine to publish her "secret" recipe in 1983. It includes egg whites, coconut, pecans, and graham cracker crumbs. It is delightfully gooey with a crunchy, nutty top.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• One unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust
• 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut like Bakers Angel Flake coconut
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about twelve full crackers if you are making your own crumbs)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• 7 egg whites from large eggs
• Whipped cream and sliced bananas for serving.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put the egg whites into a large bowl and add the graham cracker crumbs, chopped pecans, sugar, and coconut.
3. Stir well with a spoon or rubber spatula; do not beat.
4. Pour the filling mixture into the prepared pie shell and level it.
5. Bake at 350 degrees on the center rack for about 35 minutes.
6. If you serve the pie warm, allow it to cool for twenty to thirty minutes to set up.
7. Serve with whipped cream and sliced bananas.
8. Cover and refrigerate the leftover pie.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 549Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 304mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 6gSugar: 29gProtein: 9g

Cakes are great, and I like cakes, but gimme pie anytime instead, and I'll be a happy girl!

If you liked this recipe, you are my people! Please share it on your social media accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter! It would sure tickle me, and I would be ever so grateful!

If you haven't already, please look for me on Facebook and Pinterest. I share easy, delicious, family-friendly recipes there every week!

If you enjoyed a post, I'd love it if you would leave a review or a comment. It really helps my little business. ❤❤

Love, GB (Betty Streff)

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