Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars – Are you ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with a taste of the South? These delectable Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars are the dessert to fulfill your cravings. Creamy, sweet, and simply indulgent this dessert inspired by Southern flavors will quickly become a favorite, among your loved ones. In this recipe, we’ll guide you through the process of creating these mouthwatering bars that feature a blend of potatoes, cream cheese, and pecans.
I still vividly recall the first time I prepared these Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars. It was a chilly autumn evening when I yearned for something sweet. Drawing inspiration from my heritage I decided to embark on a kitchen experiment. Little did I know that this recipe would instantly captivate my family’s hearts. My husband couldn’t stop praising the swirls of cream cheese while my child simply couldn’t resist the essence of sweet potatoes. It warms my heart to realize how such a simple dessert can bring joy to those we cherish.
What makes this Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bar truly exceptional?
What sets these bars apart is their exceptional combination of flavors and textures. The crispy yet buttery pecan crust beautifully contrasts with the velvety filling made from potatoes. The swirl of cream cheese brings a slightly tangy element that perfectly balances the flavor of the sweet potatoes. Not to mention they’re incredibly simple to prepare making them a popular choice, for get-togethers and special events.
What You Need To Make This Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars Recipe?
White Cake Mix: For the white cake mix make sure to use a package as it provides the perfect consistency, for the crust. If you want to get creative feel free to experiment with flavors of cake mix for a twist in this recipe.
Toasted Chopped Pecans: To bring out the flavor and add a crunch to the crust toast your chopped pecans before adding them to the cake mix. This step enhances their oils and texture.
Cold Butter: When it comes to the butter make sure it’s cold and cubed. This is essential for achieving a buttery crust. Cold butter is easier to blend with the ingredients resulting in a unique texture.
Cream Cheese: Before using cream cheese in this recipe let it soften at room temperature so that it becomes smooth and creamy. This will make it easier to mix and swirl into the potato filling.
Sugar: Sugar plays a role in both the cream cheese layer and sweet potato filling. It adds sweetness while balancing out any tanginess from the cream cheese ultimately enhancing the flavor of these bars.
Large Eggs: For textures in your mixtures make sure your eggs are at room temperature, before blending them in. If you happen to forget to take your eggs out of time you can easily warm them up by placing them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.
Divided Sweetened Condensed Milk: This ingredient adds a touch of richness and sweetness, to the recipe. Make sure to divide it as instructed so that it can be used appropriately in both the cream cheese layer and the sweet potato filling.
Cooked and Mashed Sweet Potatoes: For the best flavor and texture, it’s recommended to use freshly cooked and mashed sweet potatoes. Simply roast the potatoes until they’re tender then mash them until smooth. You’ll need three-sized sweet potatoes for this recipe.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: The pumpkin pie spice blend brings aromatic flavors to the sweet potato filling, evoking a Southern charm. It plays a role, in giving these bars their signature taste of fall.
Steps To Make Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars:
Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to a temperature of 350°F (175°C). It’s like setting the stage for a baking experience.
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Step 2: In a mixing bowl combine your cake mix with the toasted pecans. These pecans are like nuggets of toasty goodness adding a crunch to our crust. Now comes the fun part; add the cubed butter. Think of it as buttery confetti, for your crust. Mix everything together until it reaches a harmony.
Step 3: Take this mixture. Press it firmly into the bottom of your greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Make it snug like wrapping yourself in a blanket of deliciousness.
Step 4: In another bowl, we’ll create a creamy symphony. Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, one egg, and two tablespoons of milk. They will blend beautifully to form a masterpiece. Set this aside for now as our secret ingredient waiting to shine.
Step 5: Now let’s turn our attention to the potatoes – they are truly the stars of our show. Stir together the mashed potatoes, remaining eggs, the rest of the sweetened condensed milk, and our aromatic pumpkin pie spice. Pour this blend over your pecan crust.
Step 6: It’s like a transformation happening with potatoes.
Step 7: Now let’s try a trick! Spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the layer of potatoes. Take a knife. Gently swirl it through the potato mixture creating an edible masterpiece right in your baking dish.
Step 8: Place your creation in the oven that has been preheated. As it bakes you’ll feel the excitement building up. You’ll know it’s ready when it sets and acquires a hue on top typically after about 45 minutes. It’s like waiting for a star to shine.
Step 9: Once your sweet potato bars have finished baking allow them to cool completely. Then put them in the refrigerator to chill. Remember that patience pays off. Waiting is worth it. When they are nicely chilled, cut them into bars each one resembling a work of art.
Step 10: There you have it. Your Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars! A harmonious blend of flavors and textures created with love and guaranteed to be the center of attention, at any gathering.
Tip:
For neat slicing of these Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars try dipping a knife, in hot water before each cut. The warmth of the knife will help it smoothly and effortlessly glide through the layers resulting in cut pieces that are as visually appealing as they are delicious. It’s those tips and tricks that elevate a dessert to a truly remarkable one!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this recipe?
If you’re running short on time using potatoes is an option although fresh ones are recommended for the best flavor and texture. Just remember to drain them before mashing.
Can I substitute the pecans with another type of nut?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and try out your favorite nuts. Walnuts or almonds could be alternatives, to pecans.
Can I freeze these bars for later enjoyment?
Certainly! Freezing them is an option. To keep their quality intact ensure that you wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil preventing freezer burn. Thawing them in the refrigerator before serving will give you the best taste and texture.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars
Ingredients
- 1 package white cake mix about 3.33 cups
- 1 c. chopped pecans toasted
- 1/2 c. cold butter cubed
- 1 package 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 can 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk, divided
- 3 c. cooked and mashed sweet potatoes about 3 medium
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Begin by combining the white cake mix and toasted pecans. Cut in the butter until the mixture has a crumbly texture.
- Press this mixture of pecans and butter onto the bottom of a greased baking dish measuring 13x9 inches.
- In a bowl beat the cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg and 2 tablespoons of milk until it becomes smooth. Set aside this mixture for now.
- In another bowl stir together the mashed potatoes, remaining eggs, the rest of the sweetened condensed milk and pumpkin pie spice. Pour this mixture of potatoes over the pecan crust.
- Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the layer of potato. Use a knife to swirl or mix in the cream cheese with the sweet potato filling creating a pattern.
- Bake in your preheated oven for, around 45 minutes. Until you notice that the bars have set and developed a golden color on top.
- Allow your Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars to cool completely before cutting them into bars. It's best to chill them for the most satisfactory results.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
