Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for all that we have in our lives. It’s a time of family. A time of reflection. A time of giving. And a time of stuffing! This year Matthew and I are spending Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor together. We're both pretty excited to go and watch the Detroit Lions play their annual Thanksgiving Day football game. I'm even more excited that I convinced Matthew to come and watch America's Thanksgiving Parade before the game. A tradition that started in 1924, the parade shares the title for the second oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with the Macy's parade in NYC.
Each year I like to share with you a list of things that I have been thankful for over the past year. It seems as though the days run into months so quickly, and so often we forget to stop and have a little time for reflection. Keeping with tradition, here is a list (in no particular order) of five things that I am thankful for during 2015.
1. Having a Partner—being in a romantic relationship can teach you so much about the world and yourself.
2. Safety and Security—being able to wake up without immense fear frees us up to really live life.
3. Diversity—the world would be a boring place without diversity.
4. Challenges—without challenges in life, we wouldn’t be the people we are now.
5. Having a Home—whether you live in an apartment or a mansion, having a place to call home is something to be thankful for.
No Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without dessert. Sweet potato pie is one of my favorite holiday desserts. While many people prefer pumpkin pie, there is no contest in my opinion. I grew up with sweet potato pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I didn't even know that pumpkin pie existed (gasp) until I was much older! Homemade sweet potato pie is real Southern comfort food. Fresh sweet potatoes, cinnamon and nutmeg are the secrets to this delicious pie recipe.
Sweet Potato Pie
Makes approximately 8 servings
Ingredients
1 pound sweet potatoes
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
½ cup milk
2 eggs
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
Directions
Boil sweet potato whole in skin for 40 to 50 minutes, or until done. Run cold water over the sweet potato, and remove the skin.
Break apart sweet potato in a bowl. Add butter, and mix well with mixer. Stir in sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Pie will puff up like a souffle, and then will sink down as it cools.
Heather's Helpful Hints
It's best to boil the sweet potatoes right before you bake the pie. The texture will be much smoother when you mix the other filling ingredients right after boiling and peeling. If you store the potatoes in the fridge before mixing, the pie will have a grainier texture.
How are you spending your Thanksgiving Day?!
Amanda
It says 1 pound of sweet potatoes. How much is that in measuring cup wise?
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Hi Amanda! One pound of sweet potatoes equals about 2 cups mashed. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Brooke Lowe
Heather, what did you use to make the browned marshmallow puffs on top?
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Hi Brooke! I actually improvised and used a toasted marshmallow frosting from another favorite recipe of mine. I've put the link below if you'd like to look at the NYT recipe. It's a great decoration but the pie is still delicious without it!
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019050-devils-food-cake-with-toasted-marshmallow-frosting
Brooke
Thanks for the speedy reply, Heather! I've never made sweet potato pie before, so I'm excited to give this a try :)
DancingforDonuts
This pie is gorgeous!!! I love the way you did the cream on the sides, makes it so much fancier! I usually make a sweet potato coconut pie for T-givs but I didn't have a chance to this year...thanks for sharing your recipe :)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you! I love the idea of a sweet potato and coconut pie, how delicious! It's always fun to make a new twist on a traditional recipe :)
Sherri
You are so right about all that we have to be thankful for Heather...and I'm thankful for you and your friendship :-) I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving...I'm sure with your amazing cooking you enjoyed every second and every morsel :-)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you so much Sherri! Creating new friendships is one of my favorite parts of blogging. I feel so lucky that we found each other :) On another note, I saw the birthday cake you made on Facebook. It looked absolutely delicious and you all were so happy!
Sherri
Me too Heather! Aww...thank you so much! It was such a happy time and everyone said they loved the cake so this mum was very pleased :D But then I had a car accident this week :-( I'm fine as is the other driver, but it's such a hassle at this time of year especially. And it wasn't my fault! Oh well...have a lovely weekend my friend and keep safe! xo
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Oh Sherri I'm so sorry to hear about your car accident. I'm glad that you are doing okay but I completely understand what you mean. The holidays are busy and hectic enough without anything else to worry about. I hope that you are able to resolve things quickly with little hassle and worry.
Sherri
Thanks so much Heather...you are so sweet... >3
Francesca
Here you are! For some strange reason, I wasn't getting your posts in my email. I just subscribed again! Everything that I missed looks so yummy! :-)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
I'm glad to hear from you Francesca! I hope that all is well with you and your family as we head into the holiday season :)
Lynz Real Cooking
What a gorgeous pie!!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you!!
Lynz Real Cooking
so pretty and looks yummy
Stephanie Leduc
I've actually never had sweet potato pie, this just looks so good! Your pictures are also brilliant, I love it!! :)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you Stephanie! You should definitely give it a try sometime, it's super tasty! :)
Antonia
What a yummy pie and I love the presentation!!! Happy Thanksgiving Heather :-)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well Antonia!
MOM
HAPPY THANKSGIVING HEATHER AND MATTHEW. I am so thankful each morning I awake and know that I have another day of adventures, challenges and opportunities to enjoy all the people I know and love and those that will be put in my life that day.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
What wonderful thoughts of all the things you have to be thankful for! I agree that each day we are alive to face the adventures and challenges life throws at us is a blessing.
MOM
Newsflash on boiled sweet potatoes!! Learned yesterday that Harold also boils his potatoes. Dad was very quiet during the discussion.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Oh goodness, what a surprise! I must admit that it was a much quicker and easier process all around. I may have to stick with it in the future!
"THE" dad
I'm once again thankful for Sweet Precision and sweet potato pie.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Well I'm thankful for YOU!! :)
Just Add Attitude
Happy Thanksgiving Heather - to you Matt and your families. ????
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you B! Hope that all is well with you!
apuginthekitchen
Thats a beautiful pie, I love sweet potato pie, looks just perfect. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you Suzanne! Best of luck on your cooking endeavors today. From what you shared earlier this week, you have a delicious meal plan!