Easy Sweet Potato Pie with Graham Cracker Crust | Renee's Kitchen Adventures

Friday, October 14, 2011

Easy Sweet Potato Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

This easy sweet potato pie brings all the warm, cozy spices of a classic holiday dessert with a fraction of the work. Made with mashed sweet potato, pure maple syrup, and a store-bought graham cracker crust, it comes together effortlessly for a deliciously simple twist on pumpkin pie.

Easy Sweet Potato Pie with Graham Cracker Crustslice on a plate


While flying home this week, I was paging through the latest issue of Healthy Cooking, when the recipe for this delectable pie caught my eye. I knew I had to recreate it in my kitchen! 

Lucky for me, I had some leftover sweet potato mash from a dinner I made last week already in the fridge. If you don't have sweet potato mash on hand, it's easy to create. You can simply bake a large sweet potato, peel and mash or buy canned sweet potatoes, drain off the liquid and mash. Both can easily be used in this recipe as well as any leftover sweet potato casserole recipe from the holidays. 

This pie will not disappoint.  It is a lovely twist on a traditional pumpkin pie and would be a great addition to your holiday table.  It is just spicy enough and not too sweet.

easy sweet potato pie with graham cracker crust whole pie on pie plate

Why You'll Love This Easy Sweet Potato Pie

This sweet potato pie features warm spices, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a convenient graham cracker crust. By using a pre-made crust and simple ingredients, you'll create a creamy, delicious dessert in just 1 hour and 30 minutes from start to finish.

Sweet potato pie is a classic Southern dessert that deserves a spot on every holiday table. This easy version maintains all the warm spices and comforting flavors you expect from a traditional sweet potato pie while being much simpler to prepare.

Ingredients for Easy Sweet Potato Pie

This easy sweet potato pie recipe requires simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen:

1 - 9" pre-made graham cracker pie crust
1 egg, beaten (for brushing the crust)
1 cup cooled and mashed sweet potato
1 cup whole or 2% milk
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground clove

The Secret to a Creamy Sweet Potato Pie

The key to making this sweet potato pie work is using the right combination of milk and maple syrup. Unlike recipes that rely on heavy cream or sweetened condensed milk, this version uses regular whole or 2% milk along with pure maple syrup, creating a smooth, velvety texture with beautiful depth of flavor.

The maple syrup blends seamlessly into the sweet potato filling, adding natural sweetness and complexity that perfectly complements the warm spices. The combination prevents the pie from becoming overly sugary while still delivering that classic sweet potato pie taste.

Baking Tips for Perfect Sweet Potato Pie

To ensure your sweet potato pie turns out perfectly every time, follow these helpful tips:

Don't skip the spices. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves are essential for that classic sweet potato pie flavor.

Make sure your sweet potatoes are completely cooled before mixing them with the other ingredients. This prevents the eggs from cooking when you add them to the mixture.

Use a pie shield or aluminum foil around the crust edges to prevent over-browning while the filling bakes.

The pie is done when the center is set but still has a slight jiggle. It will continue to firm up as it cools.

Always let your sweet potato pie cool completely before slicing. This allows the filling to set properly and makes for cleaner slices.

Serving Suggestions for Sweet Potato Pie

This easy sweet potato pie is delicious on its own, but you can dress it up with these toppings:

A dollop of whipped topping or whipped cream
A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg
Chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
A drizzle of pure maple syrup
Mini marshmallows toasted on top (if you're feeling indulgent)

Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Pie for Holidays

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time. Sweet potato pie actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together.

You can bake this pie up to two days before you plan to serve it. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator. This pie is delicious served room temperature or cold.

You can also freeze this sweet potato pie for up to three months. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Benefits of Using a Graham Cracker Crust

The graham cracker crust in this recipe offers several advantages:

No rolling or crimping required - just brush with egg and bake
Adds a sweet, slightly honeyed flavor that complements the sweet potato filling
Creates a sturdy base that holds up well to the creamy filling
Saves time and effort compared to making a traditional pastry crust
The hint of cinnamon in graham crackers enhances the warm spices in the filling

This means you can enjoy homemade sweet potato pie without the extra work of making crust from scratch.

Common Questions About Sweet Potato Pie

Why do you brush the crust with egg before baking?

Brushing the graham cracker crust with beaten egg creates a seal that prevents the crust from becoming soggy when you add the wet filling. This quick 6-8 minute pre-bake ensures a crisp, sturdy crust.

Do the eggs need to be room temperature?

Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly into the filling and help create a more uniform texture. Take them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you start baking.

How long does sweet potato pie last?

Store your sweet potato pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pie is safe to eat after that, but the crust may begin to soften.

Perfect for Thanksgiving and Holiday Gatherings

This easy sweet potato pie is the ideal dessert for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas celebrations, or any fall and winter gathering. It's a crowd-pleaser that comes together quickly, leaving you more time to spend with family and friends.

Bring this sweet potato pie to your next potluck or family dinner and watch it disappear. The graham cracker crust and maple-sweetened filling create an irresistible combination that everyone will love.

This easy sweet potato pie with graham cracker crust proves that homemade desserts don't have to be complicated. With just 10 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients like brown sugar and maple syrup, you can create a show-stopping pie that tastes absolutely divine.

Whether you're planning your Thanksgiving menu, looking for easy dessert options, or simply love sweet potato pie, this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your collection. It's simple to make, incredibly delicious, and features a convenient graham cracker crust that saves you time.

Give this easy sweet potato pie recipe a try this year. Your family and friends will love it, and you'll appreciate how quickly it comes together. Happy baking!



sweet potato pie, sweet potato pie with graham crust, easy sweet potato pie,
dessert, pie, Thanksgiving
American
Yield: 8
Author: Renee Paj
Easy Sweet Potato Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

Easy Sweet Potato Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 1 H & 20 MTotal time: 1 H & 30 M

This easy sweet potato pie features warm spices, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a graham cracker crust—perfect for Thanksgiving!

Ingredients

  • 1 - 9" Pre-made Graham Cracker Pie Crust
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 cup cooled and mashed sweet potato
  • 1 cup whole or 2% milk
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground clove

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush inside of crust with 1 TBSP beaten egg. Bake in oven for 6 - 8 min. Allow to cool while you continue with the rest of the recipe.
  2. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
  3. In large bowl, whisk together sweet potato mash, milk, 2 eggs, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves until smooth. Pour mixture into prepared crust.
  4. Bake in oven for 60 - 70 minutes, or until center is set. Cool on wire rack.
  5. Serve room temperature or cold with a dollup of whipped topping (not included in nutrition info. I liked it cold better) Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Healthy Cooking

Nutrition Facts

Calories

152

Fat (grams)

3 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

1 g

Carbs (grams)

27 g

Fiber (grams)

1 g

Net carbs

26 g

Sugar (grams)

22 g

Protein (grams)

4 g

Sodium (milligrams)

209 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

71 mg

Nutritional Information provided is an estimate.

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44 comments:

  1. My favorite kitchen gadget is my meat pounder. Since there is just 2 of us I can split a large chicken breast and make lovely thin cutlets. Looks like a lot more on our plate. I have made some of your lovely recipes and appreciate all your hard work. Thanks, Donnie

    email- ki4ggs(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Yummm!!! Im always in for a graham cracker crust!! What a giveaway. I love spoonulas and my stand mixer!!

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  3. I love my rubber whisk!

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  4. i tweeted:

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  5. I have never had sweet potato pie but it looks delicious!

    Congratulations on your blog anniversary! You do a great job with your posts and the recipes you share are wonderful!

    I have way too many fun kitchen gadgets to choose one favorite but I do love my chefs knife and use it every day. My little mini xoxo 4 tablespoon measuring cup is used all the time. What would I do without a garlic press and I must have rubber spatulas in a variety of sizes.

    Things on my want list are a pepper mill and a salt mill, large white platter, new water glasses and a new rice cooker.

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  6. I love my Zyliss garlic press! Fresh garlic enhances so many dishes, and being able to quickly prepare it is wonderful. kara dot dykstra at gmail.com! :)

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  7. i would get a pastry blender, somehow i lost mine!!

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  8. My favorite gadget, that completely changed the way I bake, is my dough scoop. I never had evenly sized cookies before I bought that lovely. Thanks so much for linking up at A Little Nosh!

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  9. I would love to get one of those measuring cups that you can read from the top without having to hold at eye level. It's on my wish list!
    Pat
    mprutland1 at yahoo dot com

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  10. My favorite gadget is my microplane hand held grater to grate fresh garlic and nutmeg.
    Amy
    jawilloughby at juno dot com

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  11. I love my pizza cutter, which is used for everything around here. I do want some kitchen shears. Thanks.

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  12. I followed you on facebook.

    Carol
    rizzogurl@gmail.com

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  13. My favorite gadget would be my microplane. I love the flavor of fresh grated nutmeg. I will be using it when I make this wonderful pie!!!

    Carol B
    rizzogurl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, I Love your blog. Happy about the giveaway.
    I can always use extra measuring cups. I use them all the time for ww. It would be nice to look through the gadgets and pick out something new and exciting.
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  15. My fave kitchen gadget is definitely my kitchen aid mixer!

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  16. What a wonderful giveaway! I love Bed Bath and Beyong too. There are so many fun products in that store. My favorite kitchen gadget is strawberry huller. It's fun to use and I used it to hollow out cupcakes for fillings too. I love multi-function tools! :)

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

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    amy [at] utry [dot] it

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  19. My favorite kitchen gadget is my Pampered Chef Mix & Chop - I don't know how I made it in life before I got this magic gadget.
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  20. Follow via GFC
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  21. Hi Renee, this looks delicous and so perfect for the season! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations on your first anniversary of your blog! What a GREAT resource for all of us Weight Watchers! My favorite Kitchen Gadget is Lock and Lock containers. I've only had them for a few months, but I am truly surprised at how long my fruits/veggies stay fresh in them -- even my husband noticed! doglover584-widgets(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. Oh boy... just one favorite kitchen gadget?? :) Have to say lately it's my food processor. Hubby got me one for Christmas last year and it makes everything so much easier, especially when I have to shred a lot of cheese for a recipe!

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  24. I use my mini food processor more than anything else.mommafox1943 at msn dot com

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  25. I would like to get a mandaline

    amie
    gemini1077 at gmail dot com

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  28. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/SerialAccessMom/status/126517134711984128
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  29. I also follow you on FB. Thanks, Donnie

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would love love love one of those mini choppers! I had one and when I was out of town for work the hubby couldnt find the blade, so he got mad and threw they rest of the set away, when I got home he told me and I pointed to the blade sitting on the shelf right next to where my mini chopper used to be. *sigh* I LOVE your site and LOVE your recipes!!!

    Dyanna
    ladydy911(at)cableone(dot)net

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    blogspot.5ou@gishpuppy.com

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  32. I follow MKA!! I love the recipes!! Keep em coming! :)

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  33. My favoorite kitchen gadget is my bread machine of course !!

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  34. I have a Magic Bullet and LOVE it - I use it to puree soups, make hummus and smoothies and crush nuts! So many uses!
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  36. Tweeted about the giveaway
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  37. I like you on FB and let my friends know about this giveaway!

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  38. My favorite kitchen gadget is my Magic Bullet...I use it every day for a smoothie. If I won the gift card I would have to buy a new ice cream scoop...I use it to fill muffin cups and broke mine today :(

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  39. Oh...ugh! I forgot to leave my email..
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    Judi

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  40. My current favourite kitchen gadget is a jar key http://caroleschatter.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/useful-kitchen-gadget-jar-key.html

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