Sweet Potato Pie

Ever wonder what the difference between sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie is? Besides the major ingredient, of course! In general, sweet potato pie has a lighter filling, coarser texture, and tastes sweeter. Pumpkin pie, on the other hand, tends to have more spices. Here we get the best of both worlds with a yummy sweet potato filling mixed with spices. Plus marshmallows! YUM!

Makes:

1 pie

Hands-on time:

1 hour 30 minutes

Start-to-eat time:

2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

Filling
2 medium sweet potatoes
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
Crust
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup ice-cold water
optional: 6 cups marshmallows

Kids kitchen skills:

cutting in butter
mashing
rolling dough

Tools:

knife
mixing bowls
measuring cups & spoons
pastry cutter or two forks
plastic wrap
pot with lid & tongs
masher
whisk & rolling pin
9-inch pie pan

Step-by-step

Grown-up steps

Cube 1/2 cup butter and freeze for a few minutes. Add flour, chilled butter, and salt to a bowl. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut into the mixture until crumbly.
A bit at a time, add ice-cold water to flour mixture and combine with hands until dough forms. Use more water if needed. Shape into disk on floured surface, then cover to refrigerate 1 hour.
Meanwhile, boil sweet potatoes in a covered pot for 30-35 minutes, or until tender. Remove potatoes, then peel once at room temperature. Melt 1/2 cup butter in microwave and cool.
Mash sweet potatoes, then add cooled melted butter, sugar, evaporated milk, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt. Lightly beat two eggs and add to mashed mixture. Combine until smooth.
Remove dough from fridge and roll evenly into a 12-inch circle, 1⁄8-inch thick. Carefully transfer to pie pan. It should cover the pan walls. Use a fork or fingers to crimp the crust edge.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Pour filling into crust and smooth the top. Bake for 1 hour, until crust is lightly browned and filling is set. Add marshmallow topping, if desired. Let cool, then serve!
Optional: If using marshmallows, place them on top of your baked pie. We like big, billowy marshmallows! Bake on your oven's middle rack at 365 degrees for 4 minutes, or until marshmallows are puffed and lightly brown. Turn on the oven’s broil setting and broil for 1 minute, keeping an eye on the time. Allow to cool, then dig in!