Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pie

       This is my last post about what I made during Christmas, then we're caught back up to date. I did make several other things, but I unfortunately neglected to take pictures. That's okay, though, I took pictures of my favorites! Included in which was this Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pie. Last December, I really wanted to try my hand at making a pie from scratch again. (My official first time making pie was when I made the Personal Cardamom-Apple Pies.)  Not only that, I wanted to make a pie I had never eaten before. Considering I was in the midst of a Sweet Potato kick, I figured this pie was my best option. Yep, I was right. This pie was so silky and fluffy and smooth I didn't want to stop eating it. I did, though. I had to share. It's similar to pumpkin pie, but there is just enough of a difference where the flavor keeps you intrigued. When you make this, you won't want to share either.

Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pie

Recipe from Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 prebaked, 10 inch crust
• 1 1/4 cups Sweet Potato Puree
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 large eggs, separated (3 yolks and 3 whites)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpoe flour
• 3/4 cup buttermilk

Directions

--Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

--In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato puree, butter, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.  Mix thoroughly after each addition.

--In a different bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks for about 30 seconds. Add the sugar and beat together until creamy, about 1 1/2 minutes.

--Add the egg yolk mixture to the sweet potato mixture and mix together until everything is thoroughly incorporated.

--Add the flour in parts and stir after each addition. Mix thoroughly.

--Add the buttermilk and stir until completely incorporated. You want the mixture to be creamy and smooth looking.

--Next, put the egg whites in the bowl of your stand mixer; have the whisk attachment hooked up. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks. This can take a few minutes.

--Once the egg whites have hit the desired consistency, fold in the sweet potato  mixture with a spatula until thoroughly combined.

--Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prebaked crust.

--Set the pie on the middle oven rack and bake 35-40 minutes. You want the center to be firm and set. When you jiggle the pie, it shouldn't slosh around.

--After the pie is done baking, let it cool completely.

--Serve the pie at room temperature or chilled with dollops of whipped cream on top (optional).

--Enjoy!



Happy Baking!
--H

Googley-Eyed Monster Cake

       My sister is THIRTY today!! Happy Birthday, sister! Distance often separates loved ones from being able to share special moments together. Fortunately, there is a wonderful invention called the internet. I really wanted to make my sister's third-decade-old birthday cake, but I couldn't afford to fly to the west coast. Nor do I trust the mail to send a cake without it turning into "birthday soup". So this picture will have to suffice. How cute is this cake?! Sometime last year I asked L if I could make this cake for one of her two girls for a birthday. She answered me saying, "Forget them, what about for ME?!" So, L, SURPRISE! Who says that thirty-year-olds have to be stuffy? Life is still vibrant and flowing vivaciously in your veins! What better way to celebrate joy for life than through a Googley-Eyed Monster Cake? 

       For this cake I piped on frosting-hair with a grass tip (Wilton #233). For the mouth I used a standard round tip. To make the orange/yellow effect, I filled orange frosting vertically in half of my piping bag and filled the other half with yellow. The frosting then comes out naturally swirly. Cool huh? Oh, and just for the record, I used AmeriColor Food Coloring. Love that stuff. Finally, for the eyes I made cakepops! For a tutorial on how to make them, head over to Bakerella's blog. She is considered the queen of cakepops, afterall.

      Finally, I would like to end this post with thirty reasons why my sister is great.

30 Reasons Why My Sister is Great

(In no specific order)

1. She's witty.

2. She has a great smile.

3. She's a great cook.

4. She's a great baker.

5. She's creative.

6. She's loving.

7. She's an awesome wife.

8. She's given me the two greatest neices in the world.

9. She's beautiful.

10. She's healthy.

11. She's organized.

12. She's influencial.

13. She's a soldier defending our freedom.

14. She has me for a sister. ;)

15. She's fashionable.

16. She has good advice.

17. She's a good leader.

18. She loves life.

19. She's understanding.

20. She's smart.

21. She's athletic.

22. She's an awesome mom. (I should have mentioned that by #8, hehe.)

23. She's faithful.

24. She's encouraging.

25. She's strong, mentally and physically.

26. She's compasionate.

27. She's curious.

28. She's adventurous.

29. She's brave.

30. She's my sister.

Love you lots L! Hope your 30th year of life is amazing.

--H