Description
These Sweet Potato Pie Bars offer a deliciously creamy and spiced filling set atop a buttery graham cracker crust, making them an easy and crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for holidays and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling:
- 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Topping (Optional):
- Whipped cream or marshmallow fluff
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring to leave an overhang to easily lift out the bars after baking.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter until fully mixed. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create an even crust layer. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well integrated.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the sweet potato filling over the pre-baked crust, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set before slicing into bars.
- Serve: Serve chilled bars plain, or topped with whipped cream or marshmallow fluff for added sweetness and texture if desired.
Notes
- For convenience, canned sweet potato puree can be used, but ensure it is unsweetened to avoid altering the flavor balance.
- These pie bars can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 160 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: 55 mg
