Purple Sweet Potato and Haupia Pie Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Macadamia Nut

by: vvvanessa

May18,2013

4.6

14 Ratings

  • Makes 1 9-inch by 13-inch pie

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

The moment I returned from a summer vacation to Kaua'i, I was thinking about how to re-create one of the tasty treats I'd had on the trip: Okinawan sweet potato pie. A classic treat on the islands, the pie has two distinct layers: a bottom layer of Japanese purple sweet potato and a top layer of haupia, the classic Hawaiian coconut pudding. I toyed around with the spices in the sweet potato part and found that I liked more subtle flavoring; the haupia is a simple but nice and coconutty. And the two together make a delicious dessert that will fill you with aloha!

Look for the Japanese sweet potatoes at Asian markets that sell produce. The tubers can vary in size from tennis ball-sized to a foot long, but what's most important is that they are firm all around and free of any softer parts that are wrinkly and blemished. I suggest boiling them gently, but feel free to roast them instead. —vvvanessa

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • Crust and Sweet Potato Filling
  • 2 cupsplain graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cupunsalted butter, melted and cooled but still liquid, divided
  • 1 teaspoonkosher or fine sea salt, divided
  • 2 large Okinawan purple sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 teaspoonground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoonground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoonground nutmeg
  • 3/4 cuplight brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
  • 2 teaspoonsvanilla extract
  • Haupia Topping
  • 1/2 cupgranulated sugar
  • 1/3 cupcornstarch
  • 2 cupscanned coconut milk (full-fat is best)
  • 1 cupwater
  • 1 tablespoonlight rum (optional)
  • lightly toasted shredded unsweetened coconut and/or toasted, crushed macadamia nuts to garnish
Directions
  1. Crust and Sweet Potato Filling
  2. Preheat oven to 325ºF.Combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup of the melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Mix well until the mixture looks like wet sand. Pour into a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish and press the crust firmly and evenly into the pan (it only needs to cover the bottom). Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool slightly.While the crust is in the oven, start the filling.
  3. Halve the sweet potatoes and place them in a pot with enough water to cover them well. Bring them to a moderate boil and cook them until the point of a sharp knife penetrates the thickest part of the potato easily, which will take anywhere from 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Remove them from the water and cool until they can be handled easily. Remove the skins, then mash the flesh with a potato masher (smoother is better, but a few lumps won't hurt).
  4. Raise the oven temperature to 400ºF.
  5. Measure out 2 1/2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes into a large bowl. Add in the rest of the ingredients (including the rest of the butter and salt), and whisk them together thoroughly.
  6. Pour mixture into the prepared crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 325ºF and cook for 30-35 minutes more, turning the pan once during cooking. The pie is cooked when the center is set and doesn't jiggle when the pan shakes.
  7. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool.While the pie bakes, make the haupia.
  1. Haupia Topping
  2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the ingredients (minus the shredded coconut and macadamias), and whisk together thoroughly to eliminate all lumps. Place over medium-high heat. Stirring constantly, bring to an almost-boil then lower to a simmer. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool just until it is no longer hot.
  3. Pour the haupia over the cooled pie and spread evenly to cover. Refrigerate until the pudding firms up, at least 3 hours or ideally overnight.
  4. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes or chopped, toasted macadamia nuts. Slice into 15 rectangles, and serve cold or at room temperature.

Tags:

  • Pie
  • American
  • Macadamia Nut
  • Vegetable
  • Sweet Potato/Yam
  • Vegetarian
  • Dessert
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Coconut
  • Your Best Thanksgiving Pie

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20 Reviews

Elle January 1, 2019

I made the recipe for our family Japanese New Years’ celebration and was very pleased with the result. I didn’t have rum but used one tablespoon of Malibu and was thrilled with the flavor of the haupia; the sweet potato layer has just the right amount of sweetness!

Anna F. August 7, 2014

Hosting a luau tomorrow and this is on the dessert list. Can I make it the night before? Mahalo!

vvvanessa August 7, 2014

Hi! Yes, definitely make it the night before. It will allow the pie and haupia to set up nicely. Save the garnish to the last minute so it doesn't get soft in the fridge. I hope it works out well for you!

Anna F. August 8, 2014

Thank you!!! I want to try your fried potatoes/miso mayo next week…YUM! Have a great weekend

bbythesea December 20, 2013

I think it needs the purple sweet potatoes, they are more dense and powdery than the orange. When I make it I always drizzle liliokoi sauce-perfect! Fresh is always best but frozen juice works because its concentrate. Just thicken them up. aloha

vvvanessa December 25, 2013

Lilikoi sauce makes everything better!

gingerroot May 30, 2013

This is a fabulous pie, vvvanessa! I took it to a Memorial Day "poke and pie" themed party last weekend and it was inhaled with gusto. I modified it slightly by making it gluten free with gf graham crackers. My uncle said it was the best sweet potato and haupia pie he's ever tasted. I'll definitely be making this again!

vvvanessa June 4, 2013

Thanks, gingerroot! Tell your uncle that all he has to do is fly me to Hawai'i, and I'll make him all the pie he wants! Also, "poke and pie" is the best idea I've heard in a long time.

Hilarybee May 22, 2013

I'm looking forward to trying this! In the event that I cannot find purple sweet potatoes, would regular be a good substitute?

vvvanessa May 22, 2013

Hi, Hilarybee! I haven't tried it with regular sweet potatoes, but I imagine they'd work fine. The filling part of the recipe is based on a basic sweet potato/pumpkin pie recipe. Let me know if you try it! And maybe I'll give it a shot myself!

cookinginvictoria May 22, 2013

Beautiful recipe! Sweet potatoes, rum, and two types of coconut -- how could this not be delicious? Saved and on my list of recipes to try!

vvvanessa May 22, 2013

Thank you, cookinginvictoria. I hope it works for you!

lapadia May 21, 2013

Great recipe, V!

vvvanessa May 22, 2013

Thanks, lp! I was just thinking about you!

gingerroot May 20, 2013

YUM! A recipe after my own heart.

vvvanessa May 22, 2013

Whose heart would not love to be full of haupia?

Eat A. May 20, 2013

Looks very good, I may try this with purple potatoes. Nice photo, too!

vvvanessa May 22, 2013

Thank you! If you do try the potatoes, let me know how it goes. I imagine you might need a little more sugar, and I'd be curious to see how the texure would be different. I'm sure it would be great with just orange sweet potatoes, too.

Michelle M. May 19, 2013

I love haupia, and sweet potatoes. This looks delicious.

vvvanessa May 22, 2013

Thanks!

Purple Sweet Potato and Haupia Pie Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Why do African Americans eat sweet potato pie? ›

After emancipation, when African American cooks gained more access to their own equipment and refined ingredients, they continued the tradition of baking with yams and sweet potatoes — especially the pie. These deep roots became the foundation of a strong tradition in African American food culture.

What's the difference between pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie? ›

Both sweet potato and pumpkin pies are American staples with a starchy custardlike filling. Pumpkin pie tends to be more heavy on spice, while sweet potato pie is typically sweeter and lighter. But the reasons why people choose one over the other often trace back to where they were raised and their race.

What is the difference between sweet potatoes and yam pies? ›

From a culinary perspective, the biggest difference between sweet potatoes and yams becomes more apparent when they are cooked. Yams are starchy and dry, but sweet potatoes are fluffier and the right consistency for this rich autumn tart.

What are sweet potatoes called in Africa? ›

Enslaved Africans had already been calling the 'soft' sweet potatoes 'yams' because they resembled the unrelated yams in Africa. Thus, 'soft' sweet potatoes were referred to as 'yams' to distinguish them from the 'firm' varieties.

Why can't you eat the skin of a sweet potato? ›

You can eat sweet potato skin. It's a good source of fiber, a nutrient that may help lower the risk of heart disease and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time. The next time you make a sweet potato dish, whether it's a roasted side dish or a hearty, cozy casserole, leave the peel on.

Who makes sweet potato pies for Walmart? ›

She leads a team of professionals to bring quality bakery products to over 4,500 store locations. A notable accomplishment is that Kinna is the person responsible for creating the Patti Labelle Sweet Potato Pie.

Do you have to refrigerate Patti LaBelle sweet potato pie? ›

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 F. Bake until a knife inserted in the center of the filling comes out clean, about 1½ hours. Cool completely on a wire cake rack. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve with whipped cream.

Who eats sweet potato pie? ›

Particularly beloved in Black and Southern households, this traditional delicacy has a rich history that travels from the forests of Peru to kitchens of the antebellum era. This dish is so rife with nostalgia that the popularity of sweet potato pie rivals even that of its autumnal rival, pumpkin pie!

What is the most popular pie at Thanksgiving? ›

Pumpkin Pie Is The Must-Have Fall Dessert That Reigns Supreme.

What pie has more sugar apple or pumpkin? ›

The pumpkin pie wins on calories, saturated fat, protein and calcium. But the apple pie takes the cake when it comes to fiber, sugar (both total and added) and sodium. So what's a pie aficionado to do? Well, if you're watching calories go for the pumpkin-it almost always has fewer because of the single crust.

Is canned pumpkin better than fresh for pie? ›

The canned option had a more powerful pumpkin flavor and a silkier texture. While some of my colleagues preferred the apple sauce-like texture of the fresh, I can't say all that extra work of cleaning, roasting and pureeing a whole pumpkin is worth it, especially during a busy holiday season.

What is the difference between purple yam and purple sweet potato? ›

The difference between ube and purple sweet potato is that ube is a yam instead of a sweet potato. This means that the skin of the ube is rough and bark-like instead of thin and smooth like that of the purple sweet potato.

Which sweet potato is the healthiest? ›

Sweet Potatoes and Health

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors.

Which is healthier, yam or sweet potato? ›

Although both veggies are very close in fiber, protein, vitamin C, and magnesium, sweet potatoes are the healthier option because they are lower in overall calories, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in beta carotene (vitamin A).

Why do people eat sweet potato pie? ›

Sweet potato pie is a traditional dessert, originating in the Southern United States. It is often served during the American holiday season, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas in place of pumpkin pie, which is more traditional in other regions of the United States.

What culture eats the most sweet potatoes? ›

China is the world's biggest producer and consumer of sweetpotato, where it is used for food, animal feed, and processing (as food, starch, and other products).

What are traditional African American foods? ›

Black History Month: Food and Traditions
  • Banana Pudding. Though its genealogical origin is in the warmer climates of Asia Minor, The modern version of the banana that we enjoy in the United States comes from West Africa. ...
  • Okra. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes and Yams. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Chitterlings (PKA Chitlins) ...
  • Fried Chicken. ...
  • Tipping. ...
  • Watermelon.
Mar 1, 2023

What is the history of sweet potato pies? ›

Like many sweet potato recipes, sweet potato pie was likely developed by the black slaves from traditional African cuisine. It is a staple of Soul food today. Recipes for sweet potato pie first appeared in printed cookbooks in the 18th century. It was included with savory vegetable dishes.

References

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