Description
These Maple Sweet Potato Pie Bars offer a delightful twist on traditional sweet potato pie, featuring a buttery graham cracker crust and a rich, spiced filling naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Perfectly baked to set the filling with warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars are an ideal dessert for fall or any occasion craving comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed, about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
- 1 cup maple syrup (for natural sweetness)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed, to enhance the flavor)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for warmth and spice)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (adds a cozy aroma)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for a hint of sweetness)
- 3 large eggs (to bind the filling)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to balance the sweetness)
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (for the crust)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted, to hold the crust together)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for the crust)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel and chop the sweet potatoes, then boil them for 15 to 20 minutes until tender and soft. Drain and mash them until smooth, set aside for the filling.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar until well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish to form an even crust.
- Pre-bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to set it. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before adding the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, maple syrup, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, eggs, and salt. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and fully integrated.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the sweet potato filling evenly over the pre-baked graham cracker crust. Spread it out smoothly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the filling is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate them for at least 2 hours to fully set the filling and enhance the flavors.
- Serve: Before serving, optionally dust the pie bars with ground cinnamon for a finishing touch. Cut into bars and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the sweet potatoes are well mashed to avoid lumps in the filling.
- The pre-baked crust prevents sogginess and keeps the bars firm.
- Refrigerating the bars before serving allows the filling to fully set.
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the crust.
- These bars store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
