A Southern Grace: ♪ overrated ♫

December 12, 2016

♪ overrated ♫

Yum

I'm going to make a bold statement: Pie crusts are overrated.


Making them often causes SO much stress, and while they can deliver an attractive facade, pleasing taste, and a favorable contrast in texture, I find that pies with no crust are just as good, if not better. Plus, SO EASY.*

*I promise I'm not this lazy ALL of the time.

Perhaps you recall my Mammy's impossible pie (round 1 and round 2)? This is fairly similar in that as it bakes, a suitable crust forms on its own, but it makes use of sweet potatoes instead of coconut. We had it as a Thanksgiving dessert, and it was completely appropriate and delicious.


My mom gave me this recipe too, although she left out the bit about using some brown sugar until after I had already made it. She also used the freshest and finest sweet potatoes straight from her ground, while I had to settle for whatever Harris Teeter had to offer. My pie wasn't as good as hers, and I think that's partly why.

This is a creamy and luscious pie, with a perfect balance of spices. I love eating it with a dollop of whipped topping, but that isn't essential. It's even better the next day, which is always great, but be sure to keep it refrigerated!

When I partake of a pie as heavenly as this, I wonder why I ever bothered to fiddle with crusts at all.

Crustless Sweet Potato Pie
(printable recipe)
Serves 8
Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (or some brown sugar)
  • 1/2 cup self-rising flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups cooked sweet potato, peeled and mashed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a deep dish 9-inch pie pan.
Whisk together the sugar, flour, and spices until well blended.
Beat in the melted butter, milk, eggs, sweet potato, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour into prepared pie pan and bake for 55 minutes or until browned and just jiggly in the center.
Cool completely before slicing.
Store in refrigerator.

15 comments:

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

This pie looks delicious - I love sweet potato pie. However, I do also love pie crust, but I'd still give this a try!

Angie's Recipes said...

It looks almost like fudgy...I love sweet potato pies, with or without crust!

Alicia Foodycat said...

This looks lovely!

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Hehe you see I actually love pie crust but here it tends to be home made because there aren't ready made pie crusts. So I tend to make them taste like cookies. I'm intruiged by the sound of fresh sweet potatoes from the ground though. What a treat! :D

Marjie said...

I adore pumpkin pie. I could totally see myself loving sweet potato pie, too.

Pam said...

WHAT??? I am a lover of pie crust although they totally stress me out when making them. I've never had sweet potato pie before... it looks AMAZING!

Tania | My Kitchen Stories said...

What a great idea, first. second pie crusts never stress me out and can't get enough of them but I would eat all of this and like the plate.

Pam said...

I love pie crust but this sounds pretty remarkable and delicious. Yum!!!

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

Sweet potato pies are the best, my favorite hands down. How cool to have a recipe from your mom. Happy Holidays Grace!

Adina said...

I have never had sweet potato pie, never had sweet potatoes in a sweet form at all. I am really curious about it! It definitely looks delicious.

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

I've never had Sweet Potato Pie. And, I've never had a crustless pie.
Definitely need to head into uncharted territory and try this!

puppylovernorris said...

100% agree! I hate making pie crusts and let's be honest it's all about the filling :) Love how flipping simple this recipe is and of course Sweet Potatoes! Can't wait to try it.

Food Gal said...

Crust is definitely more effort. But I dunno, if you get an uber flaky, buttery crust, it's hard to turn down that kind of perfection. ;)

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

I skip pie crust regularly. In fact if I buy a pumpkin pie, my kids eat out the center and leave the crust!

cakespy said...

I love crust, but somehow I think I could bury my face in this sweet potato bliss and never miss it!