Candy Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

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 to be like spectacular, nevertheless it’s surprisingly easy to drag collectively.

Use a traditional pie crust or change issues up and use our graham shortbread crust.

This pie takes all the things you already love a couple of basic candy potato pie and provides just a little 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 a substitute of a plain layer of whipped cream, I pile on a comfortable, fluffy marshmallow meringue that will get simply the correct trace of toast on prime. It appears to be like spectacular, however truthfully, it’s simpler to make than it appears to be like, and it’s at all times the very first thing individuals 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 giant candy potatoes. You might additionally use canned candy potatoes. If utilizing canned candy potatoes in syrup, remind readers to rinse and drain them effectively to keep away from oversweetening.
• Pie Crust: Use your favourite 9-inch unbaked pie crust, homemade or store-bought. Simply ensure that it’s not pre-baked.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This replaces each sugar and milk, maintaining issues easy whereas giving the filling a wealthy, creamy texture.
• Eggs: Two grade AA giant 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 in case you can.
• Egg Whites: Use 4 giant egg whites for the meringue. Make sure that there’s no yolk within the combine, or it received’t whip correctly.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps the meringue develop 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 internet for excellent texture each single time.

Variations

This pie is great as written, however there are just a few methods to modify issues up relying in your preferences or what you’ve gotten readily available:

Change up the spice combine: In the event you desire a barely totally different profile, you’ll be able to skip the cloves or add a pinch of allspice as a substitute.

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 enhance: Stir in 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest to the filling for a citrusy addition.

Step-by-Step Overview

1. Cook dinner the candy potatoes: Peel and dice 1 1/2 kilos of candy potatoes. Boil till tender, drain effectively, and mash till easy. Measure out 1 3/4 cups for the filling.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Fill and bake: Pour the filling into the crust and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or till the middle is about and a knife inserted 1 inch from the sting comes out clear.
5. Cool utterly: Let the pie cool at room temperature for about 2 hours earlier than including the meringue.
6. 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 kind, then combine within the vanilla.
7. 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 in case you like.
8. Serve and retailer: Slice, serve, and refrigerate leftovers loosely coated for as much as 3 days.

Toasting the Meringue

Toasting the meringue isn’t required, nevertheless it’s a pleasant contact if you’d like that golden, marshmallow-toasted look and a touch of caramelized taste. In the event 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 best method to get that toasted end. Transfer the flame throughout the floor in sweeping motions, holding it just a few inches away. Don’t keep in a single spot too lengthy or it might burn.

No broiler, please: We don’t suggest utilizing your oven broiler. It heats erratically and might burn the meringue in a short time.

Depart it plain: The meringue is completely candy and marshmallowy by itself. Toasting is non-compulsory.

Suggestions for the Good Meringue

Getting the meringue good is simpler than you suppose, however the following pointers will assist ensure that 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 sure that it’s heat-safe, so glass or metallic. No plastic.

No yolks allowed: Even a small drop of yolk will forestall stiff peaks.

Beat till stiff shiny peaks kind: 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 wish to warmth vanilla in case you might help it.

Unfold all the best way to the crust: Make sure that the meringue touches the crust edge to assist seal it in place.

Make Forward Directions

It’s attainable to make this pie forward, nevertheless it solely holds up effectively in case you observe just a few 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 upfront. 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 very best look. In my testing, the meringue retains its form for as much as 3 days within the fridge, nevertheless it does deflate barely over time.

This pie is nice for when you could get forward on vacation prep. You’ll be able to bake it as much as two days earlier than the large vacation, then hold it within the fridge. Add the meringue and toast it on the day you intend to serve. That means it appears to be like recent and stays fluffy. It retains its form for hours and travels nice.

Troubleshooting and FAQ

Serving Strategies

This pie is the type of dessert that doesn’t want a lot assist to shine, however just a few extras could make it even higher. Add a scoop of ice cream on the facet. In the event you’re feeling fancy, drizzle just a little maple syrup or caramel over the meringue. I additionally love including a sprinkle of toasted pecans or crushed graham crackers for some crunch.