"This looks suspiciously like pumpkin," you must be thinking. But, I am very happy to say that you are wroooong! This is actually sweet potato pie. It tastes a lot like pumpkin pie, it looks a lot like pumpkin pie, but it's not. And it's topped by a delicious cloud of fluffy marshmallowy meringue, which is reminiscent of sweet potato casserole and takes this pie to a place where good ol' pumpkin pie can only dream about. I am not the type to make pies, as uh, I have no patience. And I like things that are already pre-proportioned. Like cookies and muffins and cupcakes and that sorta stuff. But every once in a while, I make pie and I think to myself, "Well, this really isn't bad to make and I'm a pretty good pie maker if I do say so myself. I should make pie more often." But do I? Nope! Pie just seems like a special occasion sorta thing to me, so I only make it on holidays, and usually only when it's cold outside. I'm picky like that.
{ Adapted from Martha Stewart and Bon Appetit }
mini sweet potato pies with marshmallow meringue
Ingredients
- storebought bite-sized pie crusts or one frozen 9-inch pie crust
- *for the filling*
- 3 lbs sweet potatoes or enough for 2 cups mashed yams
- 1 14- oz can sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- *for the meringue*
- 7 oz marshmallow creme 1 jar
- 3 large egg whites
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup white sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Take the pie crusts out of the freezer, unwrap, and let them sit on the counter at room temperature as you prepare the rest.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes well, and pierce all over with a fork. Wrap in a moist paper towel, and microwave for 5-6 minutes, until they are soft and cooked through. Cut in half, and let cool slightly.
- When sweet potatoes are cooled enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and place it in a food processor. Blend the sweet potatoes until smooth and lump-free! Add in the can of condensed milk, eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and salt, and pulse until the filling is creamy and homogenous.
- Arrange the room-temperature pie crusts on a baking sheet, and pour in the filling. Fill the crusts around ¾… they will rise as they cook, but fall again as they cool afterwards. You don't want half-empty pies!
- Cook pies for 30-35 minutes if mini, and 50-60 minutes if making a 9-inch pie. Let pies cool COMPLETELY before topping with meringue!
- Once pies are totally cooled (4 hrs or more), prepare the meringue.
- In a very clean bowl, combine the egg whites and salt, and beat on high with a hand mixer until they become white and foamy. Start adding the ¼ cup of sugar, a little at a time, as you keep beating. You will whip the egg whites until white, glossy, and to a stiff peak!
- Using a rubber spatula, spoon out about half of the marshmallow meringue, and gently fold it in the egg whites to lighten them. Once they are completely incorporated, fold in the remaining crème. Be sure to do this gently so you don't deflate your egg whites!
- Using a spoon, place dollops of meringue on top of the pies, and bake at 400F for 4-5 minutes, just long enough for the meringue to warm through and form a golden brown crust. Serve warm or at room temperature, and store leftovers in the fridge!
Bees With Honey says
You had me at marshmallow meringue. Love it that you bake. Added myself to your Google Friends so I can be sure to revisit and browse your recipes:)
Lisa says
My hubby would be all over the marshmallow meringue. He loves it.
Stasha says
Note to myself: due to my troubles with self control I must not visit your blog after 10PM. This looks so delish and now I am having dessert..
Kiddothings says
Oh wow. That pie looks yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I'd have to check and see if I can get marshmallow creme in my part of the world.
By Word of Mouth Musings says
I had never heard of making meringue from marshallow creme ... oh dear, you just know we will be making this over the weekend!!!
Pinning now 🙂
Afrodita says
it does look like pumpking..
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BELLArt says
ooh 2 of my favorite things, sweet potatos and marshmallow!
also love this marshmallow cake recipe:
http://treatsanddesserts.blogspot.com/2011/12/mississippi-mud-pie.html