Cozy Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe: Homemade Fall Magic

Sweet potato pie bars merge classic comfort with innovative dessert creativity.

Creamy autumn spices dance through each decadent bite of this Southern-inspired treat.

Layers of velvety sweet potato filling nestle between buttery, crumbly crust sections.

Warm cinnamon and nutmeg whisper nostalgic memories of grandma’s kitchen traditions.

Dessert enthusiasts will adore the harmonious blend of textures and rich flavors.

Perfectly portioned and easy to share, these bars promise a delightful twist on traditional pie.

Let your taste buds embark on a mouthwatering adventure with this irresistible recipe.

Perfect Pairings for Sweet Potato Pie Bars

• Drizzle a rich, smooth sauce made with vanilla extract, bourbon, and heavy cream over the bars to complement the sweet potato's earthy sweetness.
• Brew a warm, fragrant chai tea with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger that mirrors the pie's warm spices and provides a cozy, comforting beverage experience.
• Serve a scoop of homemade or premium caramel pecan ice cream alongside the bars, adding a cold, creamy contrast to the warm, spiced dessert.
• Pour a crisp, slightly sweet sparkling apple cider that cuts through the richness of the bars and provides a refreshing palate cleanser.

Sweet Potato Bar Variations to Play With

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly dessert that maintains the same rich, creamy texture.
• Vegan Sweet Potato Bars: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk, and swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine to create a plant-based treat.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce granulated and brown sugar by half, and use monk fruit sweetener or stevia to lower the overall sugar content while keeping the classic sweet potato flavor.
• Spiced Maple Alternative: Replace some sugar with pure maple syrup and add extra warming spices like cardamom or allspice for a deeper, more complex flavor profile.

Sweet Potato Bar Questions? Find Them Here

• Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?

Yes, canned sweet potatoes work perfectly. Just drain and mash them thoroughly before mixing into the filling.

• How do I know if my sweet potato filling is properly mixed?

The filling should be smooth and free of lumps. Whisk until all ingredients are fully incorporated and create a uniform, creamy texture without any streaks.

• Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.

• What can I do if my crust doesn't hold together well?

Add a little more cold butter or cold water, one teaspoon at a time, while mixing. This helps bind the crust ingredients and create a more stable base for your bars.

Why Sweet Potato Pie Bars Are Comfort in a Bite

• Effortless Sweet Potato Pie Bars make dessert dreams come true in minimal time.
• Swap toppings like whipped cream or crushed pecans to match personal taste preferences and create unique flavor experiences.
• These bars deliver classic holiday pie flavors in a convenient, shareable format that delights both kids and adults without complicated preparation.
• Requiring just basic baking skills and straightforward ingredients, this recipe transforms sweet potatoes into a decadent dessert with under an hour of total work time.

What You’ll Need for Sweet Potato Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic base for a crisp, sturdy foundation for the pie bars.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a delicate crust texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Cold Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates flaky, tender crust layers.

• Sweet Potatoes: The star ingredient, offering a smooth, creamy base with natural sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the filling.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deeper, molasses-like sweetness and moisture.
• Eggs: Bind the filling and create a rich, custard-like texture.
• Evaporated Milk: Adds creaminess and rich dairy flavor without excess moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.

• Cinnamon: Warm, sweet spice that complements sweet potato perfectly.
• Nutmeg: Adds depth and warmth to the pie bars.
• Ginger: Optional spice that brings a subtle, zingy background flavor.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies all the other flavors in the filling.

How to Assemble Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surface

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper, allowing extra paper to hang over the sides for easy lifting later. This trick makes removing your bars super simple.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Crust

In a food processor or mixing bowl, combine:

All-purpose flour

Powdered sugar

Salt

Cold butter

Pulse or mix until the mixture looks like chunky sand. Press this crumbly mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes until the edges turn light golden. Let it cool down while you prepare the filling.

Step 3: Whip Up Sweet Potato Filling

In a large bowl, blend together:

Mashed sweet potatoes

Granulated sugar

Brown sugar

Eggs

Evaporated milk

Vanilla extract

Ground cinnamon

Ground nutmeg

Ground ginger

Salt

Whisk everything until the mixture becomes smooth and silky with no lumps.

Step 4: Layer the Filling

Pour the vibrant orange sweet potato mixture over the pre-baked crust. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the entire surface.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean. The filling will look set and slightly puffy.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely at room temperature. For best results, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to help them firm up. Use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire batch out of the pan.

Step 7: Serve and Decorate

Slice into squares or rectangles. Optional toppings include:

Whipped cream

Marshmallow fluff

Crushed pecans

Sprinkle of cinnamon

Sweet Potato Bar Tips for Great Texture

• Personalize Your Sweet Potato Pie Bars
• Boost Crust Texture: Use graham cracker crumbs or blend in some ground nuts with flour for added crunch and depth of flavor.
• Control Sweetness Level: Adjust sugar quantities based on the sweetness of your sweet potatoes and personal preference, tasting the filling before baking.
• Enhance Spice Profile: Experiment with warming spices like cardamom or allspice to complement the cinnamon and nutmeg for a more complex taste.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising texture.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: These bars can be made 2-3 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or meal prep.

How to Keep Sweet Potato Bars Fresh

• Store cooled sweet potato pie bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring the bars remain fresh and delicious.
• Carefully wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to preserve for 2-3 months, maintaining their original texture and flavor.
• Gently warm refrigerated bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to restore their delightful texture.
• Enjoy these bars directly from the refrigerator for a refreshing dessert experience, topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful Sweet Potato Pie Bars bring Southern comfort straight to dessert tables with their creamy filling and buttery crust. Warm spices and silky sweet potato create a memorable treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup evaporated milk (or heavy cream)

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Pinch of salt

Optional Toppings:

• Whipped cream
• Marshmallow fluff
• Crushed pecans
• Cinnamon sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for convenient removal.
2. Create the crust foundation by blending flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a food processor. Incorporate cold butter and pulse until the mixture transforms into grainy texture. Gently press the crumbly mixture into the pan’s bottom, ensuring uniform coverage.
3. Bake the crust for approximately 15 minutes until achieving a delicate golden hue. Remove and allow slight cooling while preparing the filling.
4. Craft the sweet potato filling by whisking mashed sweet potatoes with granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until achieving a velvety, homogeneous consistency.
5. Carefully distribute the sweet potato mixture over the pre-baked crust, spreading evenly to create a smooth surface.
6. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the filling sets completely and a toothpick emerges clean when inserted.
7. Allow the bars to cool thoroughly at room temperature, then refrigerate for minimum two hours to enhance firmness and texture.
8. Utilize parchment paper edges to extract the entire dessert from the pan. Slice into elegant squares or rectangles.
9. Optional embellishment includes topping with whipped cream, marshmallow fluff, or crushed pecans to elevate presentation and flavor profile.

Notes

• Swap out butter for coconut oil to create a dairy-free version that’s equally delicious and tender.
• Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia for a lower-calorie dessert option.
• Make the crust gluten-free by substituting regular flour with almond or oat flour, ensuring a crispy base that accommodates different dietary needs.
• Enhance nutrition by adding a sprinkle of chia seeds or ground flaxseed to the filling, boosting fiber and omega-3 content without altering the pie’s classic flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg