Transform your favorite fall dessert into an irresistible handheld treat with these Sweet Potato Pie Bars! All the creamy, spiced goodness of traditional sweet potato pie, reimagined in a convenient bar form that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or casual family gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sweet Potato Pie Bars offer all the comfort and flavor of classic sweet potato pie with several delightful advantages. These bars are incredibly easy to serve and transport, making them ideal for entertaining or bringing to gatherings. The graham cracker crust provides a perfect textural contrast to the silky sweet potato filling, while the warm spices create that signature autumn flavor profile we all crave.
Unlike traditional pie, these bars can be cut into neat squares and eaten by hand, eliminating the need for plates and forks. They’re also more forgiving to make than a traditional pie – no need to worry about rolling out pastry dough or achieving the perfect crust. The bars maintain their shape beautifully when cut, creating an impressive presentation that’s sure to wow your guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups mashed cooked sweet potato (from about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How to Make Sweet Potato Pie Bars
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray or butter.
Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to ensure an even, compact layer.
Prepare the Sweet Potato Filling: If you haven’t already, cook your sweet potatoes by baking them at 400°F for 45-60 minutes until tender, or boiling peeled chunks for 15-20 minutes. Allow them to cool, then mash until completely smooth. In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed sweet potato, eggs, granulated sugar, evaporated milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt, whisking until the mixture is smooth and no lumps remain.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the sweet potato mixture over the prepared crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer jiggles when gently shaken. The top should be lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for at least 2 hours, or refrigerate for 1 hour to speed up the process. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 16 squares using a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts for the cleanest edges.
Helpful Tips
Choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking. When baking whole sweet potatoes, pierce them with a fork several times to prevent bursting. For the smoothest filling, pass your mashed sweet potatoes through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any fibrous bits.
Room temperature ingredients blend more easily, so take your eggs out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. If you’re short on time, place the eggs in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes to bring them to room temperature quickly.
Don’t overbake the bars – they should still have a slight jiggle in the center when you remove them from the oven, as they’ll continue to set as they cool. Overbaking can result in a cracked surface and a less creamy texture.
For perfectly clean cuts, chill the bars completely before cutting and use a sharp knife dipped in warm water between cuts. This prevents the filling from sticking to the blade and creates professional-looking squares.
Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour (plus cooling time)
Servings: 16 bars
Difficulty: Easy
These Sweet Potato Pie Bars strike the perfect balance between the familiar comfort of sweet potato pie and the convenience of a bar dessert. The graham cracker crust provides a sweet, slightly crunchy foundation that complements the smooth, spiced filling beautifully. The combination of warm spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger – creates that quintessential fall flavor that makes these bars irresistible.
Notes
You can prepare the sweet potatoes up to 2 days in advance and store the mashed sweet potato in the refrigerator. This makes the actual bar preparation much quicker on baking day.
If you prefer a spicier flavor profile, feel free to increase the cinnamon to 1 1/2 teaspoons or add a pinch of ground cloves. For a richer taste, substitute the evaporated milk with heavy cream.
These bars can be made in a 9×9-inch pan for slightly thinner bars, but reduce the baking time to 30-35 minutes. For a larger batch, double the recipe and use a 9×13-inch pan, increasing the baking time to 45-50 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned sweet potato instead of fresh? Yes, you can substitute canned sweet potato puree for fresh. Make sure to use pure sweet potato puree, not sweet potato pie filling, which already contains spices and sugar. You’ll need about one 15-ounce can.
How do I know when the bars are done? The bars are done when the center is set but still has a slight jiggle when gently shaken. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs. The surface should be lightly golden.
Can I make these bars ahead of time? Absolutely! These bars actually improve in flavor after sitting overnight. They can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
What if I don’t have graham crackers? You can substitute vanilla wafer cookies, gingersnap cookies, or even crushed digestive biscuits. Just process them into fine crumbs and proceed with the recipe as written.
Can I freeze these bars? Yes, these bars freeze well for up to 3 months. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Storage Instructions
Store Sweet Potato Pie Bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The bars taste best when brought to room temperature before serving, so remove them from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to serve them.
For longer storage, these bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Label with the date and contents. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
If you’re planning to serve these at a party or gathering, they can be left at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After that, they should be refrigerated for food safety.
Conclusion
Sweet Potato Pie Bars offer all the beloved flavors of traditional sweet potato pie in a format that’s perfect for modern entertaining. These bars combine the convenience of handheld desserts with the sophisticated taste of a classic autumn treat. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, contributing to a potluck, or simply craving something sweet and seasonal, these bars deliver on both flavor and practicality.
The beauty of this Sweet Potato Pie Bars recipe lies in its versatility and ease of preparation. With simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, you can create a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery. The creamy, spiced filling paired with the buttery graham cracker crust creates a perfect harmony of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Make these Sweet Potato Pie Bars your go-to fall dessert, and watch as they become a treasured addition to your recipe collection. They’re sure to become a seasonal favorite that you’ll find yourself making again and again.
