Let’s Get Real
If you’re anything like me, a rainy day means hibernation with a blanket, a good show, and some serious snack time. Well, let me tell you about my little obsession: Sweet Potato Hand Pies. I know, I know – hand pies might sound like something only hipsters or food bloggers would rave about, but seriously, these flaky little gems are life. Sweet potatoes? In dessert? Yes, my friends, a million times yes!
As a kid, I was totally the one who picked at the sweet potato casserole during Thanksgiving, avoiding it like it was cooties incarnate. Weird, right? But somehow, the second I packed the sweet stuff into a flaky pie crust, it became my new culinary darling. It’s like the universe sent me a message: “Look, Lisa! You can eat your vegetables and enjoy dessert at the same time!” Game changer. I spent years messing around with this recipe (read: burning a ton of pies and eating my mistakes), but now I’ve finally nailed it. This is where my sweet potato dreams come true.
Oh, and can we talk about the weather? We’re in that delightful phase where it’s too cold to venture out, and every day feels like January 74th. You know what I mean. Cold enough that leaving the house seems like a form of self-torture, and you just want to curl up with something warm and sweet. That’s when I whip up these hand pies. They are comfort food wrapped up in deliciousness that’s perfect for any occasion — or really, no occasion at all. Who needs a reason to indulge in flaky pastry?
Ingredients, Unfiltered
Let’s chat about what’s actually in these sweet little pockets of joy. I promise, I won’t get all “dainty food blogger” on you. This is pure unfiltered love.
What’s Really in Sweet Potato Hand Pies
Sweet Potatoes: Obvi. These are the star of the show! I like to use the orange-fleshed kind because, duh, they’re sweeter. Not only do they whip up into a killer filling, but they’re also super nutritious. No one has to know you’re secretly eating your veggies!
Brown Sugar: Because life is too short not to have sweet things. Brown sugar gives these hand pies that caramelly goodness that makes your taste buds do a little happy dance. You can totally use white sugar if you want (like if you’re a rebel), but I fully believe in that texture and flavor enhancement game changer called molasses.
Cinnamon: Essential for that warm, cozy flavor that wraps you up like a hug from your grandma. Honestly, if you don’t love cinnamon, we need to talk about your life choices.
Nutmeg: A pinch of this nutty goodness goes a long way. Seriously, it’s like the cool kid at the spice rack who shows up to the party and makes everything better. Don’t skip it.
Butter: I’m shouting this from the rooftops: butter is life. If Peter Pan could fly, it would be on a cloud of butter! This bad boy makes the pie crust flaky and delicious, not to mention gives that rich flavor we’re all craving.
Flour: Just regular ol’ all-purpose flour here, folks. Nothing fancy. But if you want to use whole wheat for a slightly healthier option, I won’t judge. Kind of.
Salt: This might seem a bit boring, but trust me when I say it’s crucial. Salt enhances flavor like none other. Don’t skip it!
Egg: We’ll use this for egg wash. It’s basically the secret handshake for flaky pastry — it lets everyone know, “Hey! I’m serious about being delicious.”
Let’s Talk Health (or Not)
Is This Even Healthy? Let’s Discuss
Okay, folks, let’s get real. These sweet potato hand pies are not exactly kale chips. They have refined flour, butter, and brown sugar — so, you know, if you’re on a strict health-kick, you might wanna hit the brakes here for a second. But hey, there’s sweet potato! And we all know that’s a superfood, which balances everything out, right?
You can definitely modify this recipe. Swap out the butter for coconut oil — it works like a charm if you’re trying to rock that vegan lifestyle. Or substitute some whole wheat flour to make you feel like you’re being healthy while indulging in a decadent pie. Sure, it’s nice and easy to fall into the trap of guilt with desserts, but here’s the thing: life is too short not to enjoy food. At the end of the day, it’s about balance. Have these hand pies once in a while, savor every bite, and then chase it down with some green juice if you feel the need.
Your Grocery List
Here’s What You’ll Need
– 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound)
– ½ cup brown sugar
– ½ teaspoon cinnamon
– ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 1 large egg (for egg wash)
This recipe makes about 8 hand pies, depending on how generous you are with your filling (and trust me, feel free to be generous).
The Actual Cooking Part
Okay, Let’s Make This
Step 1: Preheat your oven. Seriously, don’t skip this part. Nobody wants raw pastry. Preheat to 400°F (200°C), my friends.
Step 2: Cook the sweet potatoes. Peel ‘em and chop ‘em into cubes (nobody likes waiting around for long-cooking potatoes) and put them into a big pot of boiling water. Cook until they’re tender and mashable—about 15 minutes. I usually sip a glass of wine during this step because I’m multitasking like a boss.
Step 3: Mash it up! (No, not like a party in the 90s). Drain those babies, toss them back in the pot, and mash until smooth. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Feel free to taste-test — it’s basically your right.
Step 4: The crust! In a bowl, mix the salt and flour. Toss in the cold, cubed butter, and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix it all together until it resembles coarse crumbs. If it gets too soft, throw the bowl in the fridge for a bit.
Step 5: Add cold water! Dribble in cold water one tablespoon at a time, mixing as you go (talk about a food dance party). You want just enough to form a dough ball.
Step 6: Chill, baby, chill. Wrap that dough in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Don’t worry; you can use this time to binge-watch another episode (hey, I’m not judging) or do a little happy dance for the yumminess to come.
Step 7: Roll out. Roll the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cutter (or I use a drinking glass — it’s all about innovation, people). You should get about 16 rounds.
Step 8: Fill ‘em up! Place a heaping tablespoon of your sweet potato filling in the center of each dough round. Wet the edges with a little water, fold it in half, and crimp with a fork to seal. Just think of it as a mini pie party.
Step 9: Brush, baby! Brush the tops of your hand pies with that egg wash (or just beat the egg in a bowl and get to it). This is where the magic happens, y’all, as this step will give you a golden, glossy finish. Ah, yes, I dream in golden pastry.
Step 10: Bake! Line a baking tray with parchment paper (because we all deserve to make our cleaning lives a little easier) and bake those beauties for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Brace yourself for the amazing aroma that’ll waft around.
Oh, and don’t panic if this looks messy — it’s supposed to! If you’re not getting some filling oozing out, are you even doing it right?
Side Notes & Sassy Hacks
Bonus Tips You Didn’t Ask For
– **Substitution Magic:** If you’re feeling a little adventurous, why not throw in some mini chocolate chips or pecans into the sweet potato mixture? I like to call that the party upgrade!
– **Making it Vegan:** As I mentioned, swap the butter with coconut oil, and you’re golden! Use flaxseed meal mixed with water in place of the egg for egg wash: Mix 1 tbsp of flaxseed meal with 3 tbsp of water, let it sit for five minutes, and voila!
– **Serving Style:** These hand pies are fantastic warm, obviously. But they’re also delightful at room temperature, so you could eat them at a picnic or while cuddling on your couch with a Netflix show. I’m all about versatility!
– **Take it Further:** What if I told you you could make these a day in advance? Yup, just make, fill, and freeze them before baking. When you’re ready to impress, just toss them in the oven straight from the freezer — add a few extra minutes to the bake time, and you’re golden!
– **A Little Sweet Sauce:** Drizzle some maple syrup over these bad boys. It’s like breakfast meets dessert. If you’re feeling wild, serve with whipped cream or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Final Words of (Culinary) Wisdom
So, there you have it: delicious, cozy, sweet potato hand pies that will absolutely make your heart swoon. I truly hope you try them out! And trust me when I say, there’s nothing like the feeling of pulling a batch of these flaky wonders out of the oven. It warms the soul, which we all desperately need on those cold, never-ending winter days.
If you give these a shot, tag me on your Instagram, flaunt your hand pie creations, or just send me a mental high-five. I promise you’ll be hooked, and we can bond over our unhealthy obsession with baked sweet potatoes together. Now go forth and conquer that kitchen, my friends!
