We can’t get enough of this pain
We’re obsessed with this Haitian Sweet Potato Pie recipe and how easy it is to make. Not only because we love how rich it is, but also because it’s bold and flavorful!
Growing up in Haiti, I never ate pain patate. Not for any particular reason. However, since spending more than half my life in the United States, I have had my share of recette de pain (recipe for sweet potatoes).
My all-time favorite for pain patate recipe is the one from my aunt in New York followed by mother in law’s recipe. Both are always smooth on the inside with a natural crust on the outside, and is filled with delicious flavors from the warm spices.
This sweet potato pie is sweetened with dark brown sugar, and the warm spices that are incorporated help to bring it to the next level. So, you already know it’s good!
It’s blended with butter to help provide that silky texture on the inside as opposed to adding the butter on the top of the filling prior to baking it in the oven. My love for this recipe doesn’t end there…
Here’s Why I love this Haitian Pain patate recipe (and why you will too)
- Works well as a make-ahead dessert
- There’s no prior boiling or cooking necessary to make this pie.
- It is similar to the traditional American sweet potato pie version, as I have modernized this recipe.
- There’s no need to pre-bake the crust.
- This recipe has a lot more texture.
- It is packed with flavor from the cinnamon, nutmeg, banana, vanilla extract, carnation
and coconut milk. - It is rich, silky, and works well with your favorite ice-cream or whipped cream.
- It is baked in a super easy, delicious homemade pie crust, thanks to Ina Garten.
About White Sweet Potatoes
These potatoes are found in the international market. They have a reddish color, but white when peeled and is a crossed between a traditional sweet potato and a russet potato in terms of sweetness. This will help give it an extra sweet flavor and will provide a chunky texture with the other mixed vegetables, like in this corn
Traditional Pain Patate Recette Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this homemade pain patate recipe:
- White sweet potatoes – You can find these potatoes in the international market. They have a reddish color, but white when peeled and is a crossed between a traditional sweet potato and a russet potato in terms of sweetness.
- Spices and vanilla extract– Cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg are combined to create a delicious homemade pain patate spice for this recipe.
- Brown sugar – This is a must in this recipe as it creates a more profound sweetness to the filling.
- Sweet ripe banana– The banana helps to balance out the flavor of the potatoes.
- Butter – It performs as the binder in this recipe as well as help to smoothen out the filling.
- Carnation milk and coconut milk– both give it the filling a rich texture and flavor.
How to make this pain patate recipe?
I modernized this classic recipe by adding a homemade crust. Typically, pain
However, in this recipe, the crust gives it a more pie feel and adds that extra crunch you’ll typically get from the traditional American sweet potato pie version.
This Sweet Potato Pie Vs Traditional Sweet Potato Pie
If you’ve ever made sweet potato pies, you’ll notice we use some of the same ingredients to make this Haitian sweet potato recipe. One major difference is that we add banana to the filling.
You’ll also notice there’s a slight difference in texture as this sweet potato has a natural crust from the top and less dense than the traditional sweet potato pies.
How to Make Pain Patate (Caribbean sweet potato pie)
Follow the steps to see how easy it is to make this dessert. As stated above, there’s no boiling or cooking the potatoes prior to baking Caribbean sweet potato pie.
- Make pie dough. I highly suggest preparing your pie crust ahead of time. You can find the exact pie crust recipe I used here. After you make the dough, put it back in the refrigerator so it can remain cool until you are ready to use it.
- Blending the potatoes and ginger: Peel the potatoes and cut into quarters or wedges so that it fits perfectly through the feeding tube. Cut the ginger into small chunks, but no need to peel the skin off. In the food processor, Process both the potatoes and ginger together until they appear to be finely chopped.
- add the remaining ingredients: Add the banana, sugar, both carnation and coconut milk, spices, and butter. Blend until smooth for about 2-3 minutes.
- Roll out pie dough. Roll out the pie dough then place the dough on top of the pie dish. Carefully insert dough into your pie dish, trim the excess dough, then design the edges as desired. Brush the edges of the crust with egg wash.
- Pour the filling. Pour the mixture to the dough and bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
- Let it cool and serve. Let the pie cool for at least one hour before serving. Top with ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
Pain Patate (Caribbean sweet potato pie) Notes:
- Ginger: The ginger will give the filling a warm, full, and well-balanced flavor.
- Dough: The recipe for the homemade dough works well when making doughs to freeze for later use. You can freeze the dough for up to three months.
- Resting: The pie needs to sit for at least 1 hour before cutting and settles well if left overnight.
- Reheat: You can reheat the dough in the fridge or in the oven at 275 degrees.
- Molasses: You can use Molasses in conjunction with the brown sugar, just be mindful it will alter the taste slightly. Using Molasses is complet
e ly optional.
If you love and make this pain patate recipe, please let me know how it turns out for you in the comments!
Also, tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your beautiful dish. I hope you love it.
Pain Patate Recipe (Haitian Sweet Potato Pie)
Ingredients
- 1 Pie Crust see post, or store bought
- 3 Large Medium size white sweet potatoes
- 2 tsp. Fresh Ginger grated is optional
- 1 Ripe banana
- 4 tbsp. Butter unsalted
- ½ cup Carnation Milk or evaporated milk
- 1 cup Coconut Milk
- 1 ½ cup Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. Vanilla Extract
- 2 tsp. Nutmeg
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- ½ tsp. Salt Kosher
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Make pie dough. I highly suggest preparing your pie crust ahead of time. You can find the exact pie crust recipe I used here. After you make the dough, put it back in the refrigerator so it can remain cool until you are ready to use it.
- Blending the potatoes and ginger: Peel the potatoes and cut into quarters or wedges so that it fits perfectly through the feeding tube. Cut the ginger into small chunks, but no need to peel the skin off. In the food processor, process both the potatoes and ginger together until they appear to be finely chopped.
- Add the remaining ingredients: Add the banana and butter until it starts to mash. Then add the carnation milk and coconut milk, sugar, and spices. Blend until smooth for about 2-3 minutes. It may appear lumpy – that's okay.
- Roll out pie dough. Roll out the pie dough then place the dough on top of the pie dish. Carefully insert dough into your pie dish, trim the excess dough, then design the edges as desired. Brush the edges of the crust with egg wash.
- Pour the filling. Pour the mixture to the dough and bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center on 375%.
- Let it cool and serve. Let the pie cool for at least one hour before serving. Top with ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
Notes
Pain Patate (Caribbean sweet potato pie) Notes:
- Ginger: The ginger will give the filling a warm, full, and well-balanced flavor.
- Dough: The recipe for the homemade dough works well when making doughs to freeze for later use. You can freeze the dough for up to three months.
- Resting: The pie needs to sit for at least 1 hour before cutting and settles well if left overnight.
- Reheat: You can reheat the dough in the fridge or in the oven at 275 degrees.
- Molasses: You can use Molasses in conjunction with the brown sugar, just be mindful it will alter the taste slightly. Using Molasses is completely optional.
Kris
Hello,
This is one of my favorite Haitian sweets! I love the twist of baking it into a pie.
If I wanted to also do baking pan how long should I cook for?
Thank you
Mirlene
Hello Kris,
Thank you! If you are baking it without the crust, I would bake it for 60-90 minutes. I recommend you check it after 60 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the middle. Bake it longer if needed and depending on the size.
Uma Srinivas
Such a long process recipe but I think it worth it!
Looks so good and I love the sweet potato dessert.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
I love the white sweet potatoes, but have not found any here yet. We get this sweet potato in India and I love the flavor and texture of it. I love everything that goes into this pie. So delicious and easy to make as well.
Mirlene
Thank you, Sandhya. I do like the texture and flavor of the white sweet potatoes as well.
Natalie
Sweet potatoes and ginger… oh this sounds like heavenly combo. I must give this recipe a try. Looks really delicious.
Mirlene
It’s very delicious. Thank you, Natalie.
Amber
Fairly easy to make and so delicious! Love your presentation in these photos also. Captures how lovely this recipe really is.
Mirlene
Thank you, Amber.
Laura | Wandercooks
I am so happy with the outcome of this recipe! (so is the fam!) Full of flavour, will be making again 🙂
Mirlene
So glad you all liked it. thank you 🙂
Sara Welch
This is everything. gourmet dessert should be and then some! This will definitely be a hit at our annual holiday party this year! Delish!
Mirlene
Thank you, Sara.
Krissy Allori
I have never had this before but it really does look amazing. I can’t wait to try it and share it with my family for the holidays.
Cate
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe, I can’t wait to try!
Erica Schwarz
Goodness does this sound good! Coconut milk, banana, and ginger with a sweet potato pie. I love these extra touches!
Mirlene
Thank you, Erica