Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

In a large pot, boil whole sweet potatoes with the skins for about 45 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces through the potato. Remove potatoes to a colander and run cold water over the potatoes. When cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the sweet potatoes and set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk butter, syrup, brown sugar, and eggs until well blended. Add the sweet potatoes and remaining ingredients and stir until well blended. I like to use a hand-mixer or electric mixer with the whisk attachment to make sure it is as puréed as possible for a smoother pie. Pour into prepared crust (recipe below).

Step 4

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack. Allow the pie to completely cool. Once the pie is cool, slice and plate. Serve with a dollop of luscious cream cheese whipped cream and sprinkle with candied nuts (recipe below).

Step 5

In a large bowl, add flour and salt. Cut in butter and Crisco with a pastry blender until the flour mixture resembles small peas. Add the cold water one tablespoon at a time, continuing to blend with the pastry blender. Bring mixture together with your hands and shape into a ball. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 6

If you are using a processor, place flour and salt into food processor fittd with a steel blade and pulse to mix. Dice butter. Add diced butter and cold shortening to the processor. Add ice water to the mixture down the feed tub with machine still running. Pulse machine until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Step 7

When you are ready to make the pie, cut the dough in half. Roll one piece of the dough on a floured surface into a 14-inch circle. Fold the dough in half over a rolling pin and place crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Form the remaining dough into a disc and freeze for later use (lasts up to 3 months frozen).

Step 8

Brush the edges of the crust with whipped cream (recipe below).

Step 9

In a large bowl (or heavy duty electric mixer with whisk attachment), mix all ingredients until soft peaks form. Cover and chill for at least 20 minutes.

Step 10

Place a piece of parchment paper near the stove. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add pecans, syrup, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.

Step 11

With a wooden spoon, stir continuously for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the nuts are completely coated. Once they are coated and the nuts have soaked up the liquid mixture, remove the nuts to the parchment paper and spread them apart to cool.

Step 12

Allow the nuts to completely cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.