Heavenly Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe: A Cozy Fall Treat

Comfort baking reaches new heights with these delectable sweet potato pie bars that promise pure indulgence.

Southern kitchens have long cherished this classic dessert with its rich, velvety filling.

Warm spices dance through each tender bite, creating a symphony of autumn flavors.

The silky smooth texture melts effortlessly on your tongue, revealing layers of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Perfectly balanced between a buttery graham cracker crust and creamy sweet potato filling, these bars deliver homestyle deliciousness in every slice.

Weekend gatherings or quiet afternoons call for this irresistible treat that celebrates seasonal ingredients.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake a dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 288 kcal

Servings: 13

What’s in Sweet Potato Pie Bars

• Graham Crackers: Provides a crispy, sweet foundation that complements the smooth filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances the sweetness and helps bind the crust together.
• Salt: Balances flavors and intensifies the overall taste of the crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a compact, cohesive crust.

• Sweet Potatoes: Delivers a velvety, nutritious base with natural sweetness and vibrant orange color.
• Eggs: Binds the filling and creates a smooth, custard-like texture.
• Condensed Milk: Brings luxurious creaminess and additional sweetness to the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic depth to the pie bars.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice that pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, earthy warmth to complement the sweet potato flavor.

• Egg Whites: Creates a light, billowy meringue-like layer.
• Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites for a more consistent texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a glossy, stable topping.
• Corn Syrup: Ensures a smooth, shiny finish to the marshmallow topping.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create the syrup for the topping.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, aromatic flavor to the topping.

Tools You’ll Need to Bake Pie Bars

• Food processor: Perfect for grinding graham crackers into a fine base.
• 8×8-inch baking pan: Essential for creating uniform bars with the right thickness.
• Aluminum foil: Helps easily lift and remove bars after baking.
• Electric mixer: Crucial for beating filling and creating fluffy marshmallow topping.
• Whisk: Great for mixing filling ingredients smoothly.
• Candy thermometer: Ensures precise sugar syrup temperature for topping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Guarantees accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cooling rack: Helps crust and bars cool evenly.
• Kitchen torch or broiler: Creates golden, caramelized topping.
• Spatula: Helps spread and smooth layers evenly.

Instructions for Sweet Potato Pie Bars

• Crust Foundation

Craft a buttery base using crushed graham crackers blended with sweet hints of sugar. Press the mixture firmly into a lined baking pan, creating a sturdy platform for the luscious filling.

• Sweet Potato Dreamscape

Whip together silky sweet potato mixture with warm spices, transforming ordinary ingredients into a creamy, velvety landscape of flavor. Pour the luxurious blend over the golden crust, allowing it to bake into a smooth, rich layer.

• Heavenly Meringue Crown

Transform egg whites into a billowy cloud of sweetness, carefully folding in delicate sugar syrup. Spread the glossy topping across the cooled pie bars, then caramelize under intense heat until golden peaks emerge, creating a stunning final touch that sparkles with culinary magic.

Tips to Get That Pie Texture Just Right

• Swap graham crackers with gingersnap or shortbread cookies for a unique flavor twist that adds depth to the classic base.
• Prepare the bars a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors and allow the filling to set perfectly.
• Replace the marshmallow meringue with a dollop of whipped cream, candied pecans, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for different texture and taste profiles.
• Let the sweet potato filling cool completely before adding the topping to prevent melting and ensure a beautifully structured dessert bar.
• Create gluten-free bars by using almond flour or gluten-free graham crackers, and substitute dairy-free butter for a more inclusive treat that everyone can enjoy.

Serving Suggestions for Pie Bars

• Slice into Festive Squares: Cut the bars into neat, bite-sized squares for an elegant dessert presentation that's perfect for gatherings or holiday parties.
• Garnish with Seasonal Flair: Sprinkle some ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top, or add a light dusting of powdered sugar to enhance the sweet potato's warm, rich flavors.
• Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to complement the pie bars' sweet and creamy texture.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange the bars on a beautiful serving tray with other fall-inspired treats like mini pumpkin cookies or pecan bites for a stunning dessert spread.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips for Sweet Potato Bars

• Maximize Freshness: Store sweet potato pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them cool and delicious.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Enjoy frozen treats up to 1 month later by thawing overnight in the refrigerator.
• Slice with Ease: Chill bars completely before cutting for clean, precise edges. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts for smooth slices.
• Serve at Perfect Temperature: Remove bars from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow them to soften slightly, enhancing their creamy texture and rich flavor.

Velvety Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Classic sweet potato pie bars bring Southern comfort to dessert tables with creamy spiced filling and buttery graham cracker crust. Home bakers will enjoy this simple yet memorable treat that celebrates traditional holiday flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (16 oz / 454 g) sweet potato puree
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 3 large eggs
• 18 full graham crackers
• 12 tbsps (170 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large egg whites
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) light corn syrup
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground clove
• 1 tbsp bourbon (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1 tsp fine salt
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar
• 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Pulverize graham crackers with sugar and salt in a food processor. Drizzle melted butter and pulse until mixture resembles damp sand. Press firmly into foil-lined 8×8-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely on wire rack.
2. Sweet Potato Filling: Whisk sweet potato mixture with electric mixer until silky smooth, eliminating all lumps. Pour vibrant orange filling over cooled crust, spreading evenly.
3. Initial Baking: Bake for 40-45 minutes, monitoring for subtle center jiggle indicating perfect doneness. Remove and allow to cool to room temperature, permitting filling to set completely.
4. Marshmallow Meringue Construction: Whip egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks emerge. Simultaneously, heat sugar syrup with corn syrup and water to precisely 240°F. Stream hot syrup into whipped whites while continuously beating.
5. Meringue Finishing: Fold in vanilla extract, whipping until meringue becomes glossy with dramatic stiff peaks. Spread evenly across cooled pie bars.
6. Caramelization: Torch or broil meringue surface until golden brown, exercising extreme caution to prevent burning. Allow to cool before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Crust Consistency Check: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to create a solid, compact base that won’t crumble when slicing.
• Temperature Precision: Use a candy thermometer for exact sugar syrup temperature to ensure perfect marshmallow meringue texture.
• Doneness Detection: Look for a slight jiggle in the center of the sweet potato filling, which indicates optimal baking without over-cooking.
• Toasting Technique: Monitor meringue closely during caramelization to achieve golden-brown color without burning the delicate topping.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 288
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg