Spike Sweet Potato Pie With Eggnog For An Extra Rich And Creamy Dessert
If you've ever had sweet potato pie, you know the joy that is a bite of the sweet, light custard filling and flaky pie crust. Like most baked goods, the best way to craft a sweet potato pie from scratch depends on who you ask. But there is one boozy, decadent ingredient you can add to make the pie extra creamy and flavorful: eggnog.
Enjoyed mostly throughout the holiday season and winter months, eggnog is made by combining whole milk and heavy cream with warm spices like nutmeg in a saucepan, then tempering and adding in a mixture of sugar and egg yolks. It's then simmered and stirred constantly until thickened, prior to removing from the heat and tossing in vanilla extract and bourbon. The result is a spiked drink that is undeniably creamy. When eggnog is used to substitute a portion or all of the regular or evaporated milk called for in a sweet potato pie filling recipe, it creates an extra-rich festive flavor boost with a spirited twist.
Eggnog amplifies the dessert's creaminess
Sweet potato pie is a quintessential staple of Southern U.S. cuisine, traditionally made widely on Thanksgiving and for other celebrations. The pie was created by enslaved Africans and still plays a big part in Southern and Black food culture. Sweet potato pie differs from pumpkin pie in that it is less spice-forward and has a lighter texture. To make sweet potato pie filling, sweet potatoes are baked, then the inside is scooped out and mashed, blended, or pureed. The root veggie is then mixed with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with milk and melted butter to blend everything together and impart creaminess, plus eggs or a substitute as a binding ingredient.
When you add eggnog to the filling mix in place of some or all of the milk in your recipe, you'll get not only an extra boozy hint that sings to the holiday spirit but also a noticeably richer texture and taste. This is because eggnog's claim to fame is its full-fat ingredients, particularly the heavy cream, whole milk, and egg yolk decadence. That said, if you want your sweet potato pie to maintain its signature lightness, you'll want to consider keeping some of the milk and subbing out only part of it with eggnog. This will create a more subtle festive variation on your favorite sweet potato pie recipe.
Choosing the right eggnog for your sweet potato pie
While adding homemade eggnog to your sweet potato pie is sure to taste amazing, there is also a wide variety of great store-bought options available, especially during the holiday season. If you're going for full flavor and elevated creaminess, it's best to go with one with whole milk, heavy cream, and egg yolks. If you want to keep your sweet potato pie lighter but still add the spiked and spiced flavor elements from the festive drink, choose a lower-fat dairy version or one made with plant-based milk.
With homemade or store-bought eggnog, you can choose to spike it or not before adding it to your pie. If you're making a family-friendly pie, leave out the booze. Your sweet potato pie will still benefit from the rich creaminess of the eggnog ingredients. If you do choose to add a spirit, whisk in 1 shot of liquor per 8 ounces of eggnog.
Though there certainly are the best bourbons to use when baking, you can also add in whatever bourbon, rum, or brandy you have on hand. Depending on the spirit you choose, the baked pie will showcase its subtle flavor notes and a bit of booze — imparting an extra warmth, oakiness, or even subtle fruitiness to the baked custard pie. After adding in eggnog and baking to perfection, cool your sweet potato pie, serve to loved ones, and enjoy each luxurious bite.