Irresistible Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe: Golden Comfort Joy

Crafting delectable sweet potato pie bars brings pure comfort to any gathering.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen swirl with warm spices and buttery crusts.

Creamy textures merge perfectly with crisp pastry edges in this delightful dessert.

Rich autumn flavors dance across your palate with each tender bite.

Southern traditions shine through these irresistible squares of happiness.

Simplicity meets indulgence in a recipe that promises to delight everyone at the table.

You’ll fall in love with how easily these bars come together for a memorable treat.

Why Sweet Potato Pie Bars Are a Southern Favorite

• Craft a Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Transform classic sweet potato pie into irresistible bars that everyone will love, perfect for sharing at gatherings or family get-togethers.
• Minimize Kitchen Complexity: Create a delightful treat with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Celebrate Seasonal Comfort: Enjoy the warm, spicy flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg that bring cozy autumn vibes to your dessert table, perfect for holiday celebrations or casual weekend treats.
• Customize with Ease: Top with powdered sugar or add whipped cream for a personalized touch that elevates these sweet potato bars from good to absolutely amazing.

Key Ingredients for Sweet Potato Pie Bars Flavor

• All-Purpose Flour: A key base that provides structure for the pie bar crust.
• Rolled Oats: Adds a hearty texture and nutty flavor to the crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps bind the crust ingredients together.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the crust.

• Sweet Potatoes: The star ingredient that gives the bars their signature flavor and smooth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides additional sweetness to the filling.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like depth to the sweet potato mixture.
• Eggs: Help bind the filling and create a custard-like consistency.
• Evaporated Milk: Adds creaminess and helps create a smooth filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, aromatic flavor to the filling.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that complement the sweet potato's natural sweetness.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Optional topping that adds a decorative and sweet finish to the bars.

How to Bake Sweet Potato Pie Bars Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal if desired.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Crust

• All-purpose flour
• Rolled oats
• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• Pinch of salt

Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a compact base.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Filling

• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Evaporated milk
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Whisk until the mixture becomes completely smooth and well-blended.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the sweet potato filling evenly over the prepared crust.

Spread gently to ensure consistent coverage. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

Step 5: Check Doneness

The bars are ready when the filling sets and the edges turn slightly golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. This helps them set properly and makes cutting easier.

Step 7: Finish and Garnish

Once cooled, cut into square portions. Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant touch before serving.

Helpful Tips for Sweet Potato Pie Bars Success

• Use the back of a measuring cup or flat-bottomed glass to firmly and evenly compact the crust mixture, ensuring a solid, compact base for your bars.
• Whisk ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps, creating a silky-smooth sweet potato filling that guarantees a creamy texture.
• Insert a toothpick near the center – if it comes out clean with minimal moisture, your bars are perfectly baked and ready to cool.
• Chill bars completely before cutting to achieve crisp, neat squares without crumbling or messy edges.
• Sprinkle toasted pecans or a light dusting of extra cinnamon on top for added depth and aromatic warmth.

Different Takes on Sweet Potato Pie Bars to Try

• Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Pie Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Sweet Potato Bars: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk, and substitute butter with coconut oil for a plant-based alternative.
• Pecan Crunch Sweet Potato Bars: Add chopped pecans to the crust mixture for extra texture and nutty flavor, creating a crunchy base under the creamy filling.
• Low-Sugar Sweet Potato Bars: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated and brown sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweet taste.

Best Pairings to Serve with Sweet Potato Pie Bars

• Drizzle a homemade bourbon-infused vanilla sauce over the bars to enhance the sweet potato's rich, earthy flavors and add a luxurious touch.
• Serve alongside a warm, fragrant chai latte that echoes the pie's warming spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
• Top the bars with a sprinkle of candied pecans and a light caramel drizzle to introduce a delightful textural contrast and nutty depth to the dessert.

How to Keep Sweet Potato Pie Bars Fresh and Moist

• Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, keeping bars fresh and preventing them from drying out.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, storing for up to 3 months without losing texture or flavor.
• Keep bars at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days, ensuring they remain soft and delicious.
• Warm individual bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes, restoring their original warmth and softness.

FAQs

• Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?

Yes, canned sweet potatoes work perfectly. Just drain and mash them thoroughly before mixing into the filling.

• How do I know when the sweet potato bars are fully baked?

The edges will be slightly golden, and the center will look set but still have a slight jiggle when you gently shake the pan. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean.

• Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use certified gluten-free rolled oats to make the entire recipe gluten-free.

• Can I prepare these bars in advance?

These sweet potato bars can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. They actually taste better after the flavors have melded together overnight.

Sweet Potato Pie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy Southern sweet potato pie bars blend classic comfort with modern dessert innovation. Silky spiced filling nestled in a buttery graham cracker crust promises delightful moments of pure indulgence you’ll savor slice after slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Sweeteners:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar

Spices and Extras:

• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (for crust)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (for filling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Create the crust by combining flour, rolled oats, melted butter, brown sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl until the ingredients form a cohesive mixture.
3. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring a compact and smooth surface.
4. Whisk sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl until the filling becomes completely smooth and well-integrated.
5. Gently pour the sweet potato mixture over the prepared crust, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.
6. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a set filling and slightly golden edges.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the filling stabilize and makes cutting easier.
8. Once cooled, slice into neat square portions using a sharp knife.
9. Optionally, dust the bars with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving to enhance presentation and add a touch of sweetness.

Notes

• Swap rolled oats with gluten-free oats for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the crust’s delightful texture and nutty flavor.
• Use parchment paper in the baking dish for effortless removal and clean cutting of bars with crisp, smooth edges.
• Roast sweet potatoes beforehand to intensify their natural sweetness and create a deeper, more complex flavor profile in the filling.
• Chill the bars completely before serving to help them set firmly and enhance the overall taste and presentation of this delectable dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 241 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg