Tiny Sweet Potato Pies

Join Rusty as he explores the African American culture in Minneapolis, Minnesota and learns to make Tiny Sweet Potato Pies.

Close up of sweet potato pies on a serving platter.

Print recipe packet

Ingredients

1 15-oz can sweet potatoes, drained
¾ cup evaporated skim milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons brown sugar
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Mini marshmallows (optional)
½ cup whipping cream (optional)

Equipment

Large bowl
Can opener
Blender or masher
Measuring spoons
Measuring cups
Mixing spoon
Rubber scraper

Tip:

If you prefer, look for a recipe that uses fresh instead of canned sweet potatoes.

Look and cook recipe - crust

Step 1

Place graham crackers in a plastic zip-style bag. Seal.

Crushed graham crackers in a zip-lock bag with hands on a rolling pin.

Step 2

Crush the crackers with a rolling pin.

Crushed graham crackers, sugar and melted butter in a clear mixing bowl.

Step 3

Put the graham crackers, sugar and butter in a bowl. Mix.

A muffin tin with six tins having a tablespoon of graham cracker mixture in them and a tablespoon filled to the bottom of the tin.

Step 4

Put 1 tablespoon of mixture into each muffin cup.

A hand holding a glass pressing down on the graham cracker mixture in a muffin tin.

Step 5

Use the bottom of a cup to pat cracker mixture together.

Step 6

Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Let cool.

Look and cook recipe - filling

Sweet potatoes being placed in a blender.

Step 1

Drain the sweet potatoes. Pour the sweet potatoes into a blender.

A egg yolk and egg white in a small serving bowl being poured into a blender with sweet potato.

Step 2

Crack an egg into a separate bowl. Then add the egg to the blender.

Looking down into a blender with sweet potato, egg, evaporated milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Step 3

Add the evaporated milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to blender. Blend 30 seconds or until smooth.

A muffin tin filled with sweet potato pie filling.

Step 4

Spoon about 2 tablespoons mixture on top of the graham cracker crust in the muffin tin.

Optional. Top with mini marshmallows.

A muffin tin partially out of the oven with the sweet potato pies being checked with a toothpick for doneness.

Step 5

Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

A closeup of a serving platter of tiny sweet potato pies with some having cool whip for a topping.

Step 6

Let cool. Enjoy plain, with mini marshmallows or whipping cream.

Explore more 🔎

Recipe video

For caregivers and curious kids

Fun facts

Map of Minnesota with Prior Lake highlighted.

Minneapolis is a city in Eastern Minnesota.

A father and daughter on the deck and the father is putting food on the daughter's plate from the grill.

Some families in Minneapolis have an African American heritage.

Traditional African American foods are rich in colors, like the rainbow. They include a rich variety of leafy greens (collard, mustard, turnip), beans, berries, melons, peppers, rice, grits, and fish. Some foods from Africa are a part of the American dishes we eat today.

Reading area at the museum looking out over the city through large glass windows.

In Minneapolis, you can visit the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery. At the museum, children can go to the children’s reading circle and hear guest authors read stories. If you can’t attend in person, check out their virtual storytelling.

Photo Credit: Minnesota African Heritage Museum and Gallery

Table talk

What does the tiny sweet potato pie look like? How does it smell? How does it taste?
What other foods could you add to the tiny sweet potato pie?
What is something you can do for someone today or tomorrow?

Feeding young children

A child’s appetite changes as they grow, which can make mealtimes feel tricky. Here are a few tips to take the stress out of mealtime:

Relax: Trust that your child will eat when they’re hungry.
Expect changes: Kids eat more during growth spurts and less when growth slows down.
Small servings: Start by offering small amounts of food. They can always ask for more.

Connecting with nature

Nature Display activity

This activity helps preschoolers explore outdoor nature items indoors:

Take your child outside to a park, backyard, or any natural area. Have them pick up rocks, grass, twigs, and other parts of nature. Bring inside.
Have a nature display area where you can show off your nature treasures found each week.
Talk about the items on display. Compare sizes, shapes, and colors.

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