Purple sweet potato pie offers a beautiful and delicious alternative to the traditional sweet potato pie. This recipe highlights the naturally sweet and earthy flavors of purple sweet potatoes with a touch of warmth from spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
This Vegan Purple Sweet Potato Pie is:
- Dairy-free and egg-free: Perfect for those following a plant-based diet.
- Visually stunning: The vibrant purple hue makes for a show-stopping dessert.
- Easy to make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Perfectly spiced: The blend of cinnamon and nutmeg enhances the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup vegan butter, chilled and cubed
- ¼ cup ice water
Vegan pie crust ingredients arranged on a white table
For the Filling:
- 1 ½ pounds purple sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Vibrant purple sweet potato filling ingredients on a wooden backdrop
Making the Vegan Purple Sweet Potato Pie
Prepare the Crust
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the chilled vegan butter cubes to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overwork the dough.
- Chill the dough: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Vegan pie crust dough chilling in the refrigerator
Make the Purple Sweet Potato Filling
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Blend filling ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine the mashed purple sweet potatoes, almond milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Blending the vegan purple sweet potato pie filling until smooth
Assemble and Bake the Pie
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Transfer to pie plate: Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Gently press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the plate. Crimp the edges decoratively.
- Blind bake the crust: Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Add the filling: Remove the parchment paper and pie weights. Pour the purple sweet potato filling into the partially baked crust.
- Bake: Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
- Cool completely: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Freshly baked vegan purple sweet potato pie cooling on a wire rack
Tips for the Best Vegan Purple Sweet Potato Pie
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing the pie crust dough can lead to a tough crust. Mix just until the ingredients come together.
- Blind bake for a crispy crust: Blind baking the crust helps to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference: Taste the filling before pouring it into the crust and adjust the amount of maple syrup or brown sugar to your liking.
- Serve with vegan whipped cream: For an extra special touch, top your pie with a dollop of vegan whipped cream.
FAQs
Can I freeze this vegan purple sweet potato pie?
Yes, you can freeze the baked pie. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
What can I substitute for almond milk?
You can use any other type of plant-based milk, such as soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
Can I make this pie gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the regular all-purpose flour.
How do I know when the pie is done baking?
The pie is done when the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of the pie; if it comes out clean, it’s ready.
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the pie a day in advance. Store it loosely covered at room temperature.
This vegan purple sweet potato pie is a delicious and visually stunning dessert that is sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy!
