Preparing the Crust:
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Add Ice Water: Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork until the dough comes together. You may not need all the water.
- Form Dough and Chill: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Rolling Out the Dough:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish. Trim any excess dough from the edges and crimp as desired.
- Pre-bake Crust: Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Making the Filling:
- Prepare Sweet Potato Puree: Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork and microwave them until soft, about 6-7 minutes per side. Let cool, then scoop out the flesh and mash until smooth.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato puree, brown sugar, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Fill the Pie: Pour the filling into the pre-baked crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
Baking the Pie:
- Bake: Bake the pie at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-55 minutes, or until the filling is set and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving. This lets the filling set properly.
Serving:
Serve the sweet potato pie at room temperature or slightly warmed, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra touch of flavor.
This sweet potato pie recipe offers a perfect balance of sweetness and spices, making it an ideal dessert for any occasion, from a family dinner to a festive holiday table. The creamy filling and homemade crust provide a satisfying texture and depth of flavor that store-bought pies just can’t match. Enjoy the process of creating this delightful pie, and savor the delicious results!