How to Make Sweet Potato Pie for Kwanzaa

Although there is no wrong time to make a sweet potato pie, it is especially delicious when it is served as dessert after a sumptuous Kwanzaa meal. Kwanzaa was derived from the celebration of the first fruits of the harvest in African countries, and the sweet potato was one of the most abundant. Today it can easily be picked up at your local supermarket and made into a Kwanzaa treat.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 cups of sweet potatoes that have been peeled, boiled and mashed
• 2 1/2 cups of all purpose white flour
• Plastic wrap
• 1 1/4 cups of sugar
• 1/4 tsp. of salt (for crust)
• Pie pan
• Bowl
• 1 tbsp. of heavy cream or 2 tbsp. of milk
• 1 tsp. of vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. of cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. of nutmeg
• 6 tbsp. of butter
• (makes 2 9-inch pie crusts)
• 2 large eggs
• Rolling pin
• 1/4 tsp. of salt (for filling)
• 1/2 tsp. of allspice
• 1/2 cup of ice cold water
• 4 tbsp. so shortening (like Crisco)
• 1 stick of very cold butter cut into small pieces

Prepare the Crust

1. Combine flour and salt in a bowl and then add shortening until the mixture is completely blended together.

2. Cut butter into the flour mixture until it has a coarse consistency. Add ice water to the flour until it's moist and forms a dough. Do not handle too roughly or crust will be tough.

3. Divide the mixture into two balls and wrap in plastic wrap. For best results refrigerate overnight, but no less than 30 minutes at minimum.

4. Flour your preparation surface and then unwrap the dough from the plastic warp. Using the rolling pin, roll out the crust until it is approximately 1/4 of an inch thick.

5. Transfer the rolled out dough onto a 9-inch pie plate, letting the crust overlap the edge. Use your thumb and finger and pinch the top so that it forms a decorative edge. Cut off any excess.

Make the Filling

6. Combine the mashed sweet potatoes and the sugar in a bowl and begin to mix with an electric mixer.

7. Put in eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, allspice, nutmeg and cream or milk and beat until all ingredients are well incorporated.

8. Add in flour and start mixer on low so that flour does not cover your kitchen. Mix until relatively smooth.

Complete the Pie

9. Pour the filling into to the prepared pie crust, but leave some room at the edge so that filling does not bubble over.

10. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes until filling is set, then cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also make this pie crust in a food processor by adding the ingredients to the machine and pulsing until you achieve the desired consistency.
• You can buy pre-made pie crusts, which will speed up the preparation of this sweet potato pie.