Thanksgiving is just 2 days away, and if you’re like me you are freaking out! There is so much to prepare for it can be overwhelming! What are you making this year? I have a huge menu of things to put together, thank goodness my mom is helping me!

We are making tons of different desserts but we will, of course, include pie! When most people think of Thanksgiving they think of pumpkin pie. However, if you want to mix things up and be a little more unique, try sweet potato pie!

Sweet potato pie has been around for almost as long as pumpkin pie has. It has been a staple in the African-American community since the 16th century.

Africans were introduced to pumpkin pie by Europeans when people from Europe traveled to West Africa. Africans loved this dish but because of the crops available to them, they used sweet potatoes instead.

During the slave trade, Africans were brought over to the United States, and the tradition of sweet potato pie followed them. Ever since then, sweet potato pie has been a huge part of African American culture along with southern culture.

If you are unfamiliar with sweet potato pie, it is similar in color and flavor to pumpkin pie. Sweet potato pie is a little different because it is a lot lighter and more fluffy. I am drooling writing this! It is not overly sweet and will be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast this year!

Have you tried sweet potato pie? If you have, do you like sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie better? Share with me how it goes! What do you want me to bake next?

Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 4 oz. of butter softened
  • 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 small can of evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

For the crust

  • 2 1/2 cups of All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 4 tbsp ice water
  • 1 cup butter, unsalted

Directions

For the dough

  1. Add 1 1/2 cups of flour,salt and sugar to a food processor. Pulse 2 to 3 times until combined.
  2. Scatter butter cubes over the flour and process until a dough begins to form.
  3. Scrape the bowl and redistribute the mixture, add the remaining cup of flour. Pulse 4 to 5 times, the dough will look broken up and sorta crumbly.
  4. Move the dough into a medium bowl and pour ice water over it. Start by using 4 tbsp,and add more as needed. Use a rubber spatula and press the dough into itself. This should make bigger clusters, if you pinch it together and it holds then you are done.
  5. Form dough into a ball, then cut the ball in half. Place the dough in plastic wrap, refrigerate for 1 hour before use.

For the filling

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Roll out one of the balls of dough, and press it into your pie dish. You can decorate the sides of the pie later if you want!
  3. Mix together the butter, potatoes, sugar and evaporated milk until well blended.
  4. Add vanilla, eggs, and cinnamon, mix well.
  5. Pour into the pie shell(s).
  6. Bake for 1 hour.

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