Sweet Potato Pie Bars give you all the cozy, spiced flavors of classic sweet potato pie — but in a fuss-free, hand-held treat! Imagine the buttery goodness of a graham cracker crust underneath a silky spiced sweet potato filling, all sliced into perfect squares. These bars are just right for holidays, potlucks, or a spontaneous weeknight dessert. Whether you’re a pie lover who wants something easy, or just looking for a crowd-pleasing fall dessert, you’ll find these bars irresistibly comforting and delightful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Sweet Potato Pie Bars is in their simplicity. Each ingredient has a special role — from the sturdy, crunchy graham cracker crust to the creamy, spiced sweet potato filling. Together, they create a beautiful balance of texture, flavor, and holiday nostalgia.
- Graham cracker crumbs: These lay a crisp, sturdy foundation for each bar and add a lovely, toasty flavor.
- Brown sugar: Adds a caramel-like depth to the crust that really makes it shine.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Binds the graham crumbs and gives a melt-in-your-mouth richness to the crust.
- Mashed cooked sweet potato: The star of the show, lending natural sweetness, stunning orange color, and velvety texture to the filling.
- Large eggs: Help set the filling and give it that custard-like pie consistency.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the filling while letting the sweet potato flavor shine.
- Evaporated milk: Adds creaminess and helps the filling bake up smooth and rich.
- Melted butter: Infuses the filling with luscious, buttery notes.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds a soft, fragrant finish.
- Ground cinnamon: The classic spice for warmth and aroma — it’s a little hug in every bite.
- Ground nutmeg: Boosts the autumn flavor and adds subtle complexity.
- Ground ginger: Brings a gentle, zesty kick to balance the sweetness.
- Salt: Just a pinch to keep the sweetness in check and round out the spice.
How to Make Sweet Potato Pie Bars
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
First things first: get your oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). While that heats up, line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This simple step makes lifting and slicing your Sweet Potato Pie Bars a breeze, so you get clean, pretty squares every time.
Step 2: Make the Graham Cracker Crust
In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter until everything is moistened and looks like wet sand. Press the mixture evenly and firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to really pack it down — this ensures the crust holds together. Bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden, and then set aside while you whip up the filling.
Step 3: Prepare the Sweet Potato Filling
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed sweet potato, eggs, granulated sugar, evaporated milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Whisk until completely smooth and creamy — no lumps! This is where all those cozy, nostalgic flavors come to life, and the mixture should smell like autumn in a bowl.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Bars
Pour the sweet potato filling over the pre-baked graham crust, smoothing the top with a spatula so it’s even from edge to edge. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell incredible! Remove and let the bars cool completely in the pan.
Step 5: Chill, Slice, and Serve
Once cooled, place the pan in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Chilling is the secret to neat, tidy bars that hold their shape. When ready to serve, lift the whole slab out with the parchment, cut into 12 squares, and get ready for rave reviews — your Sweet Potato Pie Bars are ready for their debut!
How to Serve Sweet Potato Pie Bars
Garnishes
These bars are dreamy as is, but a swirl of whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans takes them over the top. The creamy, cool contrast of whipped cream heightens the buttery crust and spiced filling, while nuts add welcome crunch. You can also dust them lightly with extra cinnamon for an extra-special finish.
Side Dishes
Sweet Potato Pie Bars pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For a holiday spread, include them alongside pecan tarts and fresh fruit for a colorful dessert tray. The familiar spices make them a lovely match with spiced cider or mulled wine as well.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack bars on a rustic wood platter for a cozy fall buffet, or serve each square in a festive cupcake liner for easy grabbing at parties. If you want to get fancy, drizzle with caramel sauce or arrange with fresh berries for a vibrant pop of color. These bars are as versatile as they are delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Simply store leftover Sweet Potato Pie Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay moist and fresh up to 5 days, making them ideal for prepping in advance for parties, holiday gatherings, or whenever you need a sweet, spiced treat.
Freezing
Want to get a jumpstart on holiday baking? You can freeze these bars easily. Once fully chilled, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in a zip-top bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.
Reheating
While Sweet Potato Pie Bars taste luscious straight from the fridge, you can gently bring them to room temperature or warm in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This softens the filling and enhances those comforting spices — perfect for a cozy afternoon treat!
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potato or yams instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Canned sweet potato puree works well here; just make sure it’s pure sweet potato with no added sugars or syrups. Drain any excess liquid if it seems watery for the thickest, creamiest filling.
Can I make Sweet Potato Pie Bars gluten free?
Yes! Simply use gluten-free graham crackers for the crust. All the other filling ingredients are naturally gluten free, so you can serve this dessert to everyone at the table.
How do I know when the bars are fully baked?
The center should be set and barely jiggle when you gently shake the pan. Inserting a toothpick and seeing it come out clean is the best way to check for doneness. If it’s a little wet, let it bake for a few more minutes.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! Double each ingredient and use a 9×13-inch baking dish. Baking time may be a little longer, so keep an eye on the center and use the toothpick test to ensure it’s set.
Do Sweet Potato Pie Bars need to be refrigerated?
Yes, because of the custard-like filling, these bars should be stored in the fridge to keep them fresh and safe to eat. Serve straight from the fridge or let them sit at room temp for about 10 minutes before enjoying.
Final Thoughts
If you love the warmth of fall spices, the coziness of homemade bakes, and desserts that are as easy as they are impressive, Sweet Potato Pie Bars are truly a must-try. They bring big pie flavor with none of the fuss, and they’re bound to win hearts wherever you serve them. Give them a whirl — your kitchen might just become everyone’s new favorite pie destination!
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Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delectable Sweet Potato Pie Bars, a delightful twist on the classic sweet potato pie in a convenient bar form. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy treat anytime!
Ingredients
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the crust: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter, press into the pan, and bake for 8–10 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine sweet potato, eggs, sugar, evaporated milk, melted butter, vanilla, spices, and salt. Pour over the crust.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes until set. Cool, then chill for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Consider topping with whipped cream or chopped pecans for extra flair.
- Great for preparing ahead for holiday feasts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
