Saturday, March 21, 2015

Sweet Potato Pie

 

     Truth in labeling. This is, in fact, a pie. A sweet potato pie, a southern staple that I grew up with. My mom has been making this pie for as long as I can remember. (And that's a pretty long time.)
   

     My mom is amazing. She still cooks a huge Sunday dinner every week. I'm there most Sundays, as are my sister and brother and any of our kids (and spouses and grandkids) that happen to be around. She's been doing this forever. And she always has dessert. Sometimes it's her famous cold oven pound cake, or even yellow cake with chocolate frosting. But quite often, it's sweet potato pie.


      A true Southern sweet potato pie is not a pumpkin pie wannabe. You'll not find cloves, nutmeg, or even cinnamon here. Just a little sugar, butter and vanilla added to the custard so the delicate sweet potato really shines through. My mom says "When I want a pumpkin pie, I'll make a pumpkin pie!" It's also an all season pie, too good to relegate to the fall and winter.


     This recipe makes two pies. My mom always bakes one plain and one with flaked coconut on top. There are those who prefer one or the other, but I am equal opportunity when it comes to pie.


    Sweet potatoes are readily available year round, and full of fiber and other things that are good for you. So sweet potato pie is like having dessert with benefits, right? I like to think so. And I hope you do too.



My Mom's Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Ingredients
3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potato (you can either bake or boil your potatoes until tender)
Use a potato masher or a fork- not a food processor
2 eggs, beaten
Scant cup of sugar (My mom says a full cup is just too sweet for her.)
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 of a 12 oz. can of evaporated milk- (about 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons) Save the rest to brush on the crust before baking
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
dash of salt

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F.
Mix  all ingredients together and pour into two regular (not deep dish) unbaked pie shells.
Sprinkle top with sweetened, flaked coconut if desired. Brush crust with reserved milk.
Bake about an hour, or until filling is puffed and crust is nicely browned. (The amount of moisture in your sweet potatoes will determine the exact time.) If your crust browns too quickly, cover crust with foil. Cool and serve.






62 comments:

  1. What a delicateness!
    I intend to try it at home but i'm not sure everyone will like it ^^

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    1. I hope you like it if you try it! It's popular here in the southern USA.

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  2. I am weak-kneed right now! Not because of this delicious looking pie that I love and think only southern cooks make but because I see your mother's cold oven pound cake recipe. My mother made one and the recipe has been lost. If it weren't 5 a.m., I go in the kitchen and make one right now. Have a delicious day--hopefully at your mother's table.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. It is a southern thing. :) The cold oven cake is definitely worth a try -I hope it's like your mom's!

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  3. I love the idea of the coconut flakes on top although I can see the appeal of the straight sweet potato pie too. Luckily your recipes makes two-that's a clever mother and daughter! :D

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  4. This is an absolutely gorgeous pie Betty. That is wonderful about your mother. I've always hoped I could do that with my family - or at least have a breakfast once a week where my children would come and we could drink coffee and linger in the kitchen. That is what dreams are made of. Maybe when I retire? Who knows :) Have a wonderful week - are you having spring break soon?

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    1. Thanks, Tricia! I'd love to be able to get all of my kids together at home too, but most of them live too far away. Spring break is after Easter and I think I'm going to visit the new grandbaby- cant' wait!

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  5. I love this pie! Looks awesome!

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  6. Perfect timing, I was actually thinking about Sweet Potato Pie this morning! I'd like to try it like this, without spices and adding the vanilla:@)

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  7. Believe it or not, I've never eaten sweet potato pie. I love sweet potatoes, but I'm not sure I'd ever be able to bypass a pumpkin pie to try the alternative. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

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  8. You are truly making my mouth water, both of the versions look amazing. And I love the beautiful tradition your mom has carried on for all these years. She sounds like a wise and wonderful woman along with being a great chef!

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  9. You are truly making my mouth water, both of the versions look amazing. And I love the beautiful tradition your mom has carried on for all these years. She sounds like a wise and wonderful woman along with being a great chef!

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  10. I love vintage pie tins.
    Your pie is perfectly snuggled into it.

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  11. Always a favorite at church potlucks!

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  12. I have always wanted to try a sweet potato pie! This looks so good!

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  13. I need to get some sweet potatoes to try this. It looks amazing, Betty!

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  14. Mom's are the best. I've never seen it with coconut on top. Love it.

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  15. I'm jealous! I wish my mom were still around...she was the greatest cook! What fun to have the family all around every Sunday and aren't you fortunate to have family living so close.
    This sweet potato pie looks fabulous. I love the color and agree totally with your mom...leave out the pumpkin spices!
    (Also...I want that pie pan!)

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  16. Lovely pies! I have never tried sweet potato in a pie before. And I would not mind a slice of the one with the toasted coconut on top! Looks delicious!

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  17. I LOVE the idea of big family dinners! My oldest drops by every Sunday night---and hope Nick will go to grad school in Indy in a couple years so he can join us. This pie looks fabulous!!!

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  18. What great memories your mother is creating! I want a slice of pie with coconut on top.

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  19. It was nice to read about your mom. My mom still cooks the big family meals as well and we love them. Thanks for sharing her recipe.
    Amalia
    xo

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  20. oh my goodness this looks delicious. and i love the one with coconut topping too!!

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  21. Hi Betty,

    I like how you baked these sweet potato pies exactly the way your mum did. Every slice must be very heart warming :D

    Zoe

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  22. I don't know that I've ever eaten a legit sweet potato pie! And that just seems shameful given how much I love sweet potatoes. MUST TRY.

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  23. Oh my, Betty...I love your mom and I want to be at her house on Sundays! What a great tradition to have those wonderful family meals. And this pie! I love, love how pure it is in terms of focusing on the sweet potatoes...sometimes the spices overpower everything else, and I just love potatoes. Next time I make a sweet potato pie (not very often, I'll admit), this is it!

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  24. I love the word pie in the tin where the cut pie came out :) It's so strange, only my oldest daughter and I love pumpkin and sweet potatoes. My husband and youngest daughter not so much even though I make them every single year since we've been married. I love that your mother still puts on a family feast every Sunday! Her pie recipe is being saved :)

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  25. i love the idea of sprinkling coconut on top of a sweet potato pie--i haven't seen that before! wonderful post. :)

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  26. Thanks for sharing you mom's sweet potato pie...I am embarrassed but have to let you know that I have never had sweet potato pie...now after reading your post, I feel that I am missing a lot...I must give this a try...looks delicious Betty.
    Have a wonderful week :)

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  27. Beautiful pie. How fun to have your Mom's recipe. I will definitely give it a try.
    Sam

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  28. Beautiful pie. How fun to have your Mom's recipe. I will definitely give it a try.
    Sam

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  29. Awesome presentation. Lovely pie. Yummy yummy :)

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  30. You may laugh, but I've never tried sweet potato pie! Looks so delicious! I can even smell it! Promise!:D

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  31. I don't make pies often, but your sweet potato pie sound wonderful and delicious. I love sweet potato! :)

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  32. My family SO loves pies like this, especially since we did not know of sweet potato pie growing up in the Midwest! Perfect for any time of year (in my humble little opinion!) Truly a delicious keeper in any family recipe box!
    Buona Pasqua (Happy Easter),
    Roz

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  33. I'm so jealous of your family gatherings...I'm off to Florida for my yearly visit with my dad this week!

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  34. That is one great pie, it looks delicious! And those family dinners are great also, I remember those days when the family lived near each other. My mom was known for her great pies, but I'm still working on it. Thanks for the recipe!

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  35. Hi Betty, love, love sweet potato pie, thanks for this wonderful recipe......Pinned!

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  36. Super yummy potato pie. Very inviting and delicious. Yum yum :)

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  37. Yum Betty ! We love a sweet potato pie, and you are right it's not just for the Fall. Your mother sounds like a wonderful mom keeping traditions on Sundays - she sounds so lovely! Love this recipe Betty !

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  38. I've actually never made a sweet potato pie but love sweet potatoes. I'll be sure to save this to try. Thanks for sharing.

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  39. I heard today is national potato day so what a great way to celebrate!

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  40. Your potato pie looks so tasty, I wouldn't stop at one slice :)

    Happy Easter!
    Choc Chip Uru

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  41. This is such a classic recipe but I've never actually tried it! Looks really good.

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  42. This is a stunning pie, that color is gorgeous, and I love the shot with the piece missing :)

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  43. Pies are always my favorite...I love its taste, its shape, its neat slice....Yours look fantastic!!

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  44. I love this pie!!! and the way it stands on it's own-not a pumpkin pie wanna be ;)

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  45. Just stopped by to see what's new in your kitchen, but since I've not discovered anything, I'm just hoping that you're doing well and extending you good wishes and a Happy Spring, Betty! Looking forward to new recipes from you and of course your beautiful photography!!!
    xo

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  46. Your potato pie looks absolutely delicious, I love the colour :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  47. You know I've never had pumpkin pie, but I absolutely love sweet potatoes, I would eat them with anything. This is really sweet with it being your mums recipe and passed down :) and lovely photos too!

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  48. Simply damn delicious!!!
    Dedy@Dentist Chef

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  49. I love a sweet potato pie! How wonderful that your mother still cooks a big meal every Sunday!

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  50. Mmm! Thank you for the recipe. This looks fantastic. I'm still laughing about, "If I want a pumpkin pie, I'd make a pumpkin pie!" Hehe.

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  51. Just popping in to say I hope you're having a great summer and miss your recipes!

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  52. Here I am again - just to say Merry Christmas! Hope you're having a great year.

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  53. Miss your blogging . . . just stopped by to say hello and to wish you a wonderful new year!
    Roz

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  54. Hi Betty, thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog. I did not realize the you as well have been MIA, almost 1 year now! You still have bloggers visiting and commenting, which is a good thing. I browsed through your previous posts, and love, each and every recipe...I Google+ -ed your Spotted Dog amazing bread, since St. Patrick's Day is coming up. Love your mom's Sweet Potato pie, and the recipe as well. Will look no further for this recipe around Thanksgiving. 'hand-me-down, and true and tried' is the best! Oh, and BTW, congratulations, you have a beautiful little granddaughter which by now is 1 yr. old?!

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  55. It looks delicious! Thank you so much for sharing.

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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