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+ servings
Sweet potato pie bar on a plate with a bite removed.
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5 from 4 votes

Sweet Potato Bars with Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Skip the pie crust and make these sweet potato bars at your next fall gathering! A brown sugar pecan graham cracker crust holds a creamy sweet potato pie filling and gets topped with a soft cinnamon whipped cream. 
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time40 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Total Time5 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 399kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs 175g
  • ½ cup pecan halves 50g
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted (113g)
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar 50g
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Sweet Potato Layer

  • 2 cups sweet potato puree 480g (about 3-4 sweet potatoes)
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • cup granulated sugar 67g
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ cup whole milk room temperature (4 fl oz)
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream room temperature (4 fl oz)

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

  • 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream very cold (12 fl oz)
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar 30g
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Prior to beginning, bake or microwave 3-4 sweet potatoes until done, and very soft on the inside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350℉/180℃ and line an 8x8" pan with parchment paper.

Graham Cracker Crust

  • Pulverize the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor until fine crumbs form.
    1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs, ½ cup pecan halves
  • Add the crumbs to a bowl, then use a fork to mix it together with butter, brown sugar and salt until completely moistened.
    ½ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup light brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Add the crumbs to the prepared pan, and press it down until a smooth, compact crust forms (be sure to get into the corners).
  • Note: I like to use a ⅓ cup measuring cup and offset spatula for this job.
  • Bake for 8 minutes, then remove to cool.

Sweet Potato Layer

  • Roast the sweet potatoes, then scoop out the flesh and add it to a food processor and blend until completely smooth, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
    2 cups sweet potato puree
  • Whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt in a large bowl.
  • Add the sweet potatoes, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves and whisk to combine.
    3 large eggs, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • Add the whole milk and heavy whipping cream and whisk it together until completely smooth.
    ½ cup whole milk, ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • Pour it on top of the crust, then bake for 35-40 minutes until set and slightly puffy around the edges and keeps a slight jiggle in the center.
  • Note: when tapping the side of the pan, the center will have a jello-type jiggle, but it should not be sloshy.
  • Remove to a wire rack to cool for one hour, then transfer to the fridge and cool completely (uncovered) for at least 3 hours to fully set.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

  • Before cutting and serving, make the whipped cream topping.
  • Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
    1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Mix on medium speed until it becomes frothy, then increase to high speed and whip until stiff peaks form, about one minute.
  • Use the parchment paper slings to remove the bars from the pan and place onto a cutting board.
  • Add the whipped cream to the chilled bars, adding decorative swoops. Top with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon (optional). Cut the bars into the desired pieces, then serve.

Notes

Tips:
  • Use a large, sharp knife to cut the bars downwards, then slide the knife out towards you while keeping the knife on the cutting board. Wipe off the knife completely in between each cut for the cleanest slices.
  • When making the whipped cream, it helps to add the stand mixer bowl and whisk attachment to the fridge for the freezer for 15 minutes prior to whipping.
Store the bars in the fridge (covered or uncovered) for up to three days.

Nutrition

Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 342mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 9875IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg