Sweet Potato Pie

 

Sweet Potato Pie. We think of sweet potatoes around the holidays and use them as a side dish. But did you know that they can be used to make a delicious pie? It is like a pumpkin pie, but it is sweeter, smooth and creamy. 

To save time, we use canned sweet potatoes. They are already cooked, and peeled. Just drain off the liquid and mash them up.

Ingredients

Crust

1 (9-inch) pie crust 

Or you can make your own

1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. shortening
3 to 6 Tbs. ice cold water

Pie Ingredients

2 c. sweet potatoes
3/4 to 1 c. brown sugar* See Notes
1/2 c.  butter softened
2 eggs
1/2 c. evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
whipped cream (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. 

Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender, a fork or two table knives held together until it resembles small peas. 

Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork, until the dough holds together.

Form the dough into a flat disc. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or in a plastic bag and place in the refrigerator. Chill for 30 minutes or longer. You can chill the dough up to 2 days.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out, starting at the center of the dough and rolling outward to the edge until you have an 11-inch circle. The dough will be about 1/8-inch thick.  Be sure to lift the dough up and lightly flour underneath to keep the dough from sticking as you roll it out. 

Carefully fold the dough into quarters. Transfer the dough into a 9-inch pie pan.  Unfold the dough, pressing it against the bottom and sides of the pie pan. Trim and crimp the edges as desired. Set aside as you prepare the filling.

In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and butter.  Mix with an electric mixer or a potato masher until the mixture is creamy.

Add butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and salt. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Pour the sweet potato mixture into the pie shell. Sprinkle some cinnamon over the top if desired.

Bake for 1 hour, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.  

Cool completely before cutting. Serve with whipped cream on top and enjoy.

Notes

Some people prebake their pie shells slightly.  To do this, once you have the crust in the pie pan, poke holes in the dough with a fork. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes. 

You can use all brown sugar, or you can use all white sugar. You can also use half brown sugar and half white sugar. Brown sugar gives the pie extra flavor.