Sweet potato pie...

 

Sweet patato pie is a classic dessert, especially popular in Southern U.S. cuisine. It's made with a smooth, creamy filling of mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, milk, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The filling is poured into a flaky pie crust and baked until set. 

Ingredients:

•2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about •2 large sweet potatoes)

•1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

•1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

•2 large eggs

•1/2 cup milk (whole milk or evaporated milk)

•1 teaspoon vanilla extract

•1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

•1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

•1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)

•1/4 teaspoon salt

•1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Instructions: 

 1: Prepare the sweet potato:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Cut them into chunks and boil in a pot of water until tender (about 15-20 minutes). Drain and mash the sweet potatoes until smooth. Let them cool slightly.

2: Making the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes and melted butter. Mix well.Add sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger (if using), and salt. Mix until smooth and fully combined.

3: Assemble the pie: 

Pour the sweet potato filling into the unbaked pie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.

4:Bake the pie: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.If the crust is browning too quickly, you can cover the edges with aluminum foil.

5:Cool and serve: 

Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack before serving. This will help it set and slice cleanly.

Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Here are some tips to help you make the best sweet potato pie:

1:Use fresh sweet potato: 

Fresh sweet potatoes will give your pie a richer, more natural flavor compared to canned sweet potatoes. Choose sweet potatoes that are firm and free of blemishes.

2: Roast the sweet potato: 

Instead of boiling, try roasting the sweet potatoes in their skins at 400°F (200°C) for about an hour, or until soft. Roasting concentrates the flavors and caramelizes the natural sugars, adding depth to the pie.

3: Smooth the filling: 

To achieve a creamy filling, ensure your mashed sweet potatoes are completely smooth. You can use a hand mixer, food processor, or blender to remove any lumps.

4: Blind bake the crust: 

Blind baking (pre-baking) the pie crust helps prevent it from becoming soggy. Simply line the crust with parchment paper, fill it with pie weights or dried beans, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes before adding the filling.

5: Don't over mix: 

Mix the filling ingredients just until combined. Over mixing can cause the pie to crack as it bakes.

6: Avoid over baking: 

The pie is done when the edges are set, but the center still has a slight jiggle. It will continue to set as it cools. Overbaking can cause the filling to become dry and crack. 

7:Serve with style: 

For an elegant presentation, dust the top of the pie with a little powdered sugar or garnish with candied sweet potato slices.

These tips will help you create a sweet potato pie that’s flavorful, smooth, and perfectly baked.