Grandma Betty’s Sweet Potato Pie

My mother Betty is an old school cook. She keeps things simple and mainly cooks by memory but thankfully she still would write out her recipes on little cards that we now cherish like precious jewels.

My mother has beautiful penwomanship but just in case it is hard to see, here’s the whole thing written out clearly in the pictures. You can improvise if you want but if you are looking for something easy that will wow the room, follow this guide.

Ingredients

• 2 yams (boiled and mashed)

• 1 stick melted butter

• 3 eggs (beaten)

• 1 can condensed milk

• 1 1/2 cups sugar (half brown, half white)

• 2 pie crusts

• A dash of cinnamon and nutmeg

• 1 capful of vanilla flavoring

• a couple “swigs” of Jack Daniels

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425F

Step 2

Mix all ingredients well with a beater

Step 3

Pour mixed ingredients into pie crusts (will be enough for 2 non-deep pie dishes)

Step 4

Bake at 425F for 15 minutes and then 350F for 45 minutes. Pies will be done when a knife comes out clean

Step 5

Enjoy!

Michele’s Kitchen Notes

Now a word about the crust. My mother believes that there is no shame in a good store-brought crust. I concur. That may have some people clutching their pearls but get over that. Ignore those folks. Let it go and remember this…

The crust is key to making any pie work & If you cannot absolutely nail the crust, keep practicing but don’t experiment at thanksgiving. Know thyself. Be honest. If you have any doubts about your crust making credentials, grab a good store-bought brought brand and keep steppin’•

Now a word about that swig of alcohol in my mom’s recipe. It’s NOT vodka. It’s whiskey. I don’t know if it’s about “the chemistry” but Mom insists it HAS to be Jack Daniels. Someone used Old Grandad whiskey one year instead & Mom swore she could taste the difference.

I trust her.

And in case you were wondering ….

A swig goes into the pie...and the cook if you so choose. Swig is an elastic term defined as you see fit. But just know what you and your guests can handle. Get it right and merriment will ensue.