Sweet potato pie is a traditional dessert that is popular in the southern United States. It is made with mashed sweet potatoes, spices, and a pastry crust. The origins of sweet potato pie can be traced back to the early colonial period in the United States when sweet potatoes were a staple food for many communities.
History of Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potatoes were introduced to the United States by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. They were initially grown in the Caribbean and spread to other parts of the Americas, including the southern United States. Sweet potatoes were an important food crop for many African-American communities in the South, who used them in a variety of dishes, including pies.
Sweet potato pie became a popular dessert in the South during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was often served at holiday dinners and other special occasions. Today, sweet potato pie is still a beloved dessert in the South and is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is typically served during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, but it can be enjoyed year-round.
How to Make Southern Sweet Potato Pie
To make the best southern sweet potato pie, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup of evaporated milk
- 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2 unbaked 9-inch pie crusts
To make the pie, follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, melted butter, eggs, evaporated milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves, and salt. Mix well until the ingredients are well combined.
- Place one of the pie crusts in a 9-inch pie dish. Pour the sweet potato mixture into the pie crust.
- Cover the pie with the second pie crust, sealing the edges to form a crust around the top of the pie. Use a fork to press down around the edges of the pie to seal it.
- Use a sharp knife to make a few small slits on the top of the pie crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Place the pie dish on a baking sheet and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the pie is set and the crust is golden brown.
- Allow the pie to cool completely before serving. Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Conclusion
As you can see, the origins of sweet potato pie are quite ancient and have a long history behind them. You should add this one to your favorite dessert list because it is so good!
