Candy potato pie is a vacation favourite for a purpose. It’s easy, candy, and stuffed with heat spices. This model is further particular with a fluffy marshmallow meringue on prime that’s evenly toasted for that golden end everybody loves. It appears spectacular, but it surely’s surprisingly easy to drag collectively.
Use a conventional pie crust or change issues up and use our graham shortbread crust.
Why My Recipe
- Topped with a fluffy, toasted marshmallow meringue for a wow issue.
- Sweetened condensed milk makes the filling silky easy and foolproof.
- Completely spiced with a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
This pie takes every part you already love a few basic candy potato pie and provides slightly fancy end with the marshmallow meringue. The filling stays wealthy and silky as a result of the sweetened condensed milk retains it easy each time. And as an alternative of a plain layer of whipped cream, I pile on a tender, fluffy marshmallow meringue that will get simply the best trace of toast on prime. It appears spectacular, however truthfully, it’s simpler to make than it appears, and it’s all the time the very first thing folks attain for on the pie desk.
Ingredient Notes
- Candy Potatoes: You’ll want 1 3/4 cups mashed, which is about 1 1/2 kilos or 2 massive candy potatoes. You can additionally use canned candy potatoes. If utilizing canned candy potatoes in syrup, remind readers to rinse and drain them nicely to keep away from oversweetening.
- Pie Crust: Use your favourite 9-inch unbaked pie crust, home made or store-bought. Simply ensure it’s not pre-baked.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This replaces each sugar and milk, conserving issues easy whereas giving the filling a wealthy, creamy texture.
- Eggs: Two grade AA massive eggs assist set the pie because it bakes.
- Spices: A mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves offers these fall taste vibes, just like pumpkin spice.
- Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the actual factor for those who can.
- Egg Whites: Use 4 massive egg whites for the meringue. Make certain there’s no yolk within the combine, or it received’t whip correctly.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps the meringue change into thick and shiny.
- Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites and helps create stiff peaks.
The Secret to a Creamy Filling
One of many huge causes this pie seems so silky is the sweetened condensed milk. It does the job of each the sugar and the milk, which retains the filling easy and foolproof. It’s thick and dissolves proper into the mashed candy potatoes and eggs, giving the pie that easy, custardy texture with none graininess from undissolved sugar. It additionally helps the filling set properly when it bakes, so that you don’t have to fret about cracks or curdling. Consider it as your built-in security web for excellent texture each single time.
Variations
This pie is great as written, however there are a number of methods to modify issues up relying in your preferences or what you’ve readily available:
Change up the spice combine: When you want a barely totally different profile, you may skip the cloves or add a pinch of allspice as an alternative.
Add a splash of bourbon: A tablespoon of bourbon provides a delicate richness that goes very well with the spices. And don’t fear, the alcohol cooks off.
Orange zest increase: Stir in 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest to the filling for a citrusy addition.
Step-by-Step Overview
- Prepare dinner the candy potatoes: Peel and dice 1 1/2 kilos of candy potatoes. Boil till tender, drain nicely, and mash till easy. Measure out 1 3/4 cups for the filling.
- Prep the crust and oven: Match a 9-inch unbaked pie crust right into a pie plate and set it apart. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Make the filling: In a big bowl, whisk collectively the mashed candy potato, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices, salt, and vanilla till easy and creamy.
- Fill and bake: Pour the filling into the crust and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or till the middle is ready and a knife inserted 1 inch from the sting comes out clear.
- Cool utterly: Let the pie cool at room temperature for about 2 hours earlier than including the meringue.
- Make the marshmallow meringue: In a heatproof bowl, whisk collectively egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar over simmering water till the combination reaches 160°F. Beat till stiff, shiny peaks type, then combine within the vanilla.
- Prime and end: Unfold the meringue over the cooled pie, sealing it to the crust. Use a kitchen torch to toast the highest till golden for those who like.
- Serve and retailer: Slice, serve, and refrigerate leftovers loosely coated for as much as 3 days.
The best way to Inform When It’s Achieved
How are you aware when your pie is finished baking? It’s straightforward! The sides will puff barely and the middle ought to look set. It is best to be capable to faucet on it and now not really feel any liquids jiggle within the middle. That’s how you recognize it’s excellent.
Toasting the Meringue
Toasting the meringue isn’t required, but it surely’s a pleasant contact if you would like that golden, marshmallow-toasted look and a touch of caramelized taste. When you don’t toast it, the meringue will nonetheless style like candy, fluffy marshmallow and is simply as scrumptious.
Utilizing a kitchen torch: That is the simplest method to get that toasted end. Transfer the flame throughout the floor in sweeping motions, holding it a number of inches away. Don’t keep in a single spot too lengthy or it might burn.
No broiler, please: We don’t advocate utilizing your oven broiler. It heats erratically and may burn the meringue in a short time.
Depart it plain: The meringue is completely candy and marshmallowy by itself. Toasting is elective.
Suggestions for the Good Meringue
Getting the meringue excellent is simpler than you assume, however the following tips will assist ensure it seems thick, shiny, and secure each time.
Use a clear, dry bowl: Any grease or moisture can hold the egg whites from whipping correctly. Make certain it’s heat-safe, so glass or steel. No plastic.
No yolks allowed: Even a small drop of yolk will stop stiff peaks.
Beat till stiff shiny peaks type: You’ll understand it’s prepared once you raise the beaters and the peaks stand tall with out drooping.
Add the vanilla on the finish: This retains the flavour of the vanilla. You don’t need to warmth vanilla for those who might help it.
Unfold all the best way to the crust: Make certain the meringue touches the crust edge to assist seal it in place.
Make Forward Directions
It’s doable to make this pie forward, but it surely solely holds up nicely for those who observe a number of ideas:
If toasting the meringue, do it simply earlier than serving. This offers you the freshest look and greatest texture.
Make the filling and bake the pie as much as 2 days prematurely. As soon as baked, cool utterly and retailer it within the fridge coated.
Add the meringue as much as 1 day earlier than serving for the perfect look. In my testing, the meringue retains its form for as much as 3 days within the fridge, but it surely does deflate barely over time.
This pie is nice for when you’ll want to get forward on vacation prep. You may bake it as much as two days earlier than the massive vacation, then hold it within the fridge. Add the meringue and toast it on the day you propose to serve. That approach it appears recent and stays fluffy. It retains its form for hours and travels nice.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
The commonest purpose is underbaking. The middle ought to be set and a knife inserted 1 inch from the sting ought to come out clear. Make certain to let it cool utterly so it companies up.
This normally means there’s fats within the bowl or egg whites. Double-check that your bowl is clear and your egg whites are freed from yolk.
Sure! Simply drain them nicely and mash till easy. Measure out 1 ¾ cups for the filling.
Sure, you warmth the egg whites to 160°F over a double boiler, which makes them suitable for eating.
Nope! It’s scrumptious both approach. Toasting provides taste and coloration, however the meringue nonetheless tastes like marshmallow with out it.
Bake the pie a day or two forward and retailer it within the fridge. Add the meringue and toast it on the day you propose to serve. When you’re bringing it someplace, pop it right into a pie service or loosely cowl it with foil so the meringue doesn’t get squished.
Sure, completely. Simply use a gluten-free pie crust, and ensure the opposite substances, like your cream of tartar and vanilla, are gluten-free too.
Serving Strategies
This pie is the type of dessert that doesn’t want a lot assist to shine, however a number of extras could make it even higher. Add a scoop of ice cream on the aspect. When you’re feeling fancy, drizzle slightly maple syrup or caramel over the meringue. I additionally love including a sprinkle of toasted pecans or crushed graham crackers for some crunch.
Storage Directions
Refrigerate the pie uncovered or loosely coated, for as much as 3 days. The meringue could deflate barely over time, however it’s going to nonetheless style nice.
Keep away from protecting tightly: Tightly protecting the meringue could cause condensation, which makes it sticky or weepy. When you do must cowl it, use a big, inverted bowl or tented foil to keep away from touching the highest.
Freezing not beneficial: I don’t advocate freezing, as the feel of the meringue doesn’t maintain up nicely after thawing.
