Are you craving a comforting, delicious dessert that's both easy to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further! This recipe for Bruce's Sweet Potato Pie is a family favorite, guaranteed to become a staple in your own home. Forget those store-bought pies; this homemade version is bursting with flavor and offers a wonderfully warm, spiced sweetness that will leave you wanting more. It's the perfect ending to a family dinner, a cozy night in, or even a special occasion. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ¼ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup milk (whole milk recommended)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This prevents shrinkage during baking.
- Roll and bake: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork to prevent bubbling. You can pre-bake the crust for 10-12 minutes at 375°F (190°C) if desired, this helps prevent a soggy bottom.
Making the Sweet Potato Filling:
- Cook the sweet potatoes: Boil or steam the cubed sweet potatoes until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
- Mash and mix: Mash the cooked sweet potatoes in a large bowl. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Fill the crust: Pour the sweet potato filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. The filling should be set and slightly puffed.
- Cool and serve: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly.
Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Pie:
- Use quality spices: Freshly ground spices will enhance the flavor of your pie significantly.
- Don't overmix the filling: Overmixing can lead to a tough pie. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Let it cool: Patience is key! Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to prevent a messy and runny pie.
- Add a pecan topping: For an extra layer of deliciousness, sprinkle chopped pecans over the filling before baking.
Variations:
- Spiced Pecan Sweet Potato Pie: Add ½ cup chopped pecans to the filling.
- Coconut Sweet Potato Pie: Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the filling for a tropical twist.
- Marshmallow Meringue Topping: Top the baked pie with a homemade marshmallow meringue for an extra touch of sweetness.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: Approximately 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-60g
- Protein: Approximately 5-7g
This recipe offers a delicious and relatively healthy dessert option, packed with vitamins and antioxidants from the sweet potatoes. Enjoy this easy, healthy, and delicious homemade sweet potato pie recipe. It's a fantastic addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and best recipes. This is a dish perfect for showcasing your homemade cooking skills. It's sure to become a beloved part of your family's food recipes.