Sweet Potato Pie

From Jamie DeMent
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 eggs, separated
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust 

Preheat oven to 350F.  Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until blended then add egg yolks one at a time.  Stir in sweet potatoes, vanilla, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger.  In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites. When foamy, slowly add 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff. Fold into the sweet potato mixture.  Pour in pie crust, bake about 40 minutes (or until firm). Serve with fresh whipped cream or ice cream.  Makes one pie but is easily doubled — who needs just one pie? :)