Jan. 17, 2026, would have been comedy legend Betty White’s 104th birthday. The iconic actress provided decades of entertainment to households around the country—and thousands of laughs, too.
From her early days in talk shows and sitcoms, to her memorable roles in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” and many others, Betty White dominated the airwaves—all before she starred in her most-famous role of all as Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls.”
White grew to superstar status all while being a pioneer in the industry. She was one of the first women in television to gain creative control in front and behind the camera with the show “Life of Elizabeth,” which she co-produced. In her own variety show, “The Betty White Show,” the star also broke barriers. The show helped to launch the career of tap dancer and singer Arthur Duncan, who went on to be the first Black regular on a variety show.
White made a major mark in the entertainment industry and cemented her place in television history. As her birthday comes back around, you may be looking for a way to pay homage to the star. May I suggest making her (very) vintage five-ingredient Crunchy Pie? It may be just as special as White herself.
Meet Betty White’s ‘Crunchy Pie’ Recipe
Betty White wasn’t known to spend a lot of time cooking. In fact, she once famously joked, “I’m not a big cook. I only go in the kitchen to feed my dog.” However, the comedian did leave the world with a few of her favorite recipes. Her Chicken Wings Pacifica made a big splash a few years back, and her banana bread is “fluffy, moist, and perfectly sweet.” Recently, the internet has unearthed another Betty White recipe, the Crunchy Pie.
In the Old Celebrity Recipes subreddit, one user shared a photo of Betty White’s Crunchy Pie recipe, said to be a part of a “celebrity-focused cookbooks such as Legends in the Kitchen.” The five-ingredient pie is incredibly simple and quite old-school. It’s a simple meringue pie with pieces of crunchy walnut and graham cracker folded throughout. Here’s how to make it.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Beat 3 egg whites with a stand or hand mixer until stiff. Gently fold in 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 scant cup of granulated sugar. Finely crush up 11 graham crackers, and chop 1 cup of walnuts. Fold the “crunchy” elements into the egg white mixture. Grease a pie pan and pour the pie mixture into it. Cook for about 30 minutes, then let cool completely. Top with whipped cream or ice cream, cut, serve, and enjoy!
Baking Betty White’s Crunchy Pie is less about culinary precision and more about celebrating the charm, humor, and heart that defined her life and career. As fans continue to honor her memory on what would have been her 104th birthday, this humble, vintage pie offers a sweet reminder of a woman who brought us laughter for generations.
Dining and Cooking