Are you craving a warm, comforting dessert that's both incredibly flavorful and surprisingly easy to make? Look no further than this buttermilk sweet potato pie recipe! This twist on a classic offers a delightful tang from the buttermilk that perfectly complements the naturally sweet and earthy flavor of the sweet potatoes. Forget those store-bought pies; this homemade version is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or a cozy night in. It's one of those healthy meals that feels like a decadent treat. This recipe is a true testament to the magic of simple ingredients transformed into something truly special. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this amazing easy recipe!
Ingredients:
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For the Sweet Potato Filling:
- 3 large sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled and cubed
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
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For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup ice water
Instructions:
Making the Sweet Potato Filling:
- Boil the sweet potatoes: Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until tender. Drain well.
- Mash and Mix: Mash the cooked sweet potatoes thoroughly. In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes with the buttermilk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and salt. Mix until completely smooth and well combined. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth and creamy pie filling.
Making the Pie Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture and use a pastry blender or your fingertips 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 helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
- Preheat and roll: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Transfer to pan: Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges.
- Pour in filling: Pour the sweet potato filling into the pie crust.
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
- Cool and serve: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before serving. This allows the filling to set properly and prevents a messy slice.
Tips for the Best Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie:
- For extra flavor, use a combination of regular and brown sugar.
- Don't overmix the sweet potato filling, as this can make it tough.
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of 2% or skim milk.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices to customize your pie.
Variations:
- Spiced Pecan Sweet Potato Pie: Add ½ cup of chopped pecans to the sweet potato filling for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Ginger Sweet Potato Pie: Add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger to the sweet potato filling for a warming spice note.
- Coconut Sweet Potato Pie: Add ½ cup of shredded coconut to the sweet potato filling for a tropical twist.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 350-400 Fat: 15-20g Saturated Fat: 8-10g Cholesterol: 60-80mg Sodium: 150-200mg Carbohydrates: 50-60g Sugar: 30-40g Protein: 4-6g
This delicious and easy buttermilk sweet potato pie is a wonderful addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and best recipes. Enjoy this homemade treat!