If you’ve been searching for a cozy, irresistible dessert that captures the warm and comforting flavors of fall, then this Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe is going to become your absolute new favorite. Imagine the creamy, spiced sweet potato filling layered over a crisp, buttery crust all baked into perfectly sized bars—making it not only delicious but wonderfully convenient to serve at gatherings or enjoy as a sweet snack anytime. These bars bring all the charm of a classic sweet potato pie in a fun, flaky, handheld form that is sure to impress everyone around your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything you need for this recipe is simple, wholesome, and thoughtfully chosen to balance flavor and texture perfectly. Each ingredient plays a special role, whether it’s building the flaky, golden crust or creating the rich, velvety filling that defines this dessert.
- All-purpose flour: The base for our crust, creating a tender, flaky texture that holds everything together beautifully.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness both in the crust and the filling for a harmonious balance.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness throughout the recipe.
- Unsalted butter, cold and cubed: This gives the crust its irresistible richness and flakiness; keeping it cold means a better texture.
- Ice water: Brings the dough together without melting the butter, keeping the crust tender.
- Cooked and mashed sweet potatoes: The star of the show, providing natural sweetness and creamy texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds depth and a subtle caramel note to the filling.
- Eggs: Help bind the filling for that perfect custardy consistency.
- Heavy cream: Creates richness, making the filling luxurious and smooth.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and enhances the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: A trio of spices that infuse the filling with classic sweet potato pie aromas and flavors.
How to Make Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the crust
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and salt. Then add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs—a key texture that creates flakiness. Add ice water a tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough just comes together. Press this dough evenly into your greased 9×13-inch pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is lightly golden. This partial bake sets the stage for a crust that remains crisp under the luscious filling.
Step 2: Perfect the filling
In a large bowl, whisk your cooked and mashed sweet potatoes with granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla, and the warming spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Be sure to mix until it’s completely smooth, because this step ensures every bite is creamy, spiced, and perfectly balanced. The salt at the end brings all those flavors together beautifully.
Step 3: Bake the pie bars
Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust and spread it evenly to cover every corner. Bake again for 40 to 45 minutes until the filling is firm and a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. This bake time helps the filling set into that classic custard-like texture while developing its signature sweet potato richness. Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely in the pan—patience pays off to get clean, perfect squares.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
These bars are wonderful on their own, but topping them with a dollop of whipped cream and a light dusting of cinnamon takes things to the next level. For a bit of extra crunch, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, which complement the sweet potato’s creamy texture flawlessly. You can also drizzle a bit of caramel sauce for those days when decadence is calling your name.
Side Dishes
Sweet Potato Pie Bars pair amazingly with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea, making them perfect for a cozy afternoon treat. If you’re serving them as part of a dessert spread, fresh seasonal fruit like spiced apple slices or candied pecans add a lovely contrast in texture and flavor. Light ice cream flavors like vanilla bean or cinnamon swirl are other fantastic companions, enhancing the overall indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut these bars into bite-sized squares and serve them on a decorative platter for parties or potlucks, making it easy for guests to grab and enjoy without needing utensils. Another fun idea is to layer pieces with a scoop of whipped cream and crumbled gingersnaps for an instant sweet potato trifle. You may even try sandwiching two bars with cream cheese frosting for a dessert sandwich twist that’s as delicious as it sounds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Sweet Potato Pie Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 4 days, which means you can enjoy the cozy taste of fall whenever the craving hits. Bringing them to room temperature before serving helps bring back some of that custard-like softness.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil to protect from freezer burn. Stored properly, they maintain their wonderful flavor and texture for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
Reheating
To bring your Sweet Potato Pie Bars back to life, warm them gently in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes. This method refreshes the crust and filling nicely, making each bite feel freshly baked. Avoid the microwave for reheating if you want to keep that flaky crust texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned sweet potatoes can be a time-saver and still deliver great flavor. Just make sure to drain and mash them well, and adjust sugar to taste since canned varieties can be sweeter than fresh.
What can I substitute for heavy cream?
You can swap heavy cream for whole milk or half-and-half, but the filling will be slightly less rich and creamy. For a dairy-free version, full-fat coconut milk works really well and adds a pleasant subtle flavor.
How do I know when the filling is fully baked?
The best test is to insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your filling is perfectly set. It should look firm but still tender, not jiggly.
Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend designed for pastries. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binding agent to help the crust stay together.
Is it possible to make these bars vegan?
To make a vegan version, use plant-based butter or coconut oil for the crust and substitute eggs with flax or chia egg alternatives in the filling. Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use maple syrup or agave instead of sugar if desired.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a cozy weekend at home, or just because you crave that perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and buttery crust, these bars deliver on all fronts. Go ahead, give this recipe a try—you’ll find it hard to resist going back for just one more square!
Print
Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
These Sweet Potato Pie Bars are a delicious twist on the classic Southern dessert, combining a rich, spiced sweet potato filling with a buttery, flaky crust. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a comforting, sweet treat in an easy-to-serve bar form.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2–3 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
- 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a food processor, pulse the flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 2 tablespoons of ice water and pulse again until the dough starts to come together. If needed, add the remaining tablespoon of ice water. Press the dough into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, making sure it’s evenly spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the sweet potato mixture over the partially baked crust and spread evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. Serve with whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra treat.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is very cold when making the crust for a flaky texture.
- You can roast or boil sweet potatoes ahead of time to save preparation time.
- For easier slicing, chill the bars in the refrigerator before cutting.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Optional: Add a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top before serving.
