Sweet Potato Pie S'mores

I think about food a lot.

Like, probably an abnormal amount. Just the other day I was talking to someone about books and it dawned on me that the only reading I've done for the past few years has been solely food related. {With the exception of a few lifestyle blogs & about half of a book my sister gave me for my birthday... 2 years ago.}

Food ideas are constantly swirling around in my head. All it takes is one tiny trigger for inspiration to strike. It can be a lone ingredient, a random word or a growling stomach. You can imagine that around the holidays, when food is at the forefront of most gatherings, my brain is in overdrive.

So, the other day, I'm chopping a sweet potato and out of nowhere I think, "Sweet Potato Pie... S'mores. With pie crust cookies." I mean, it's not that too far out there, right? Everyone knows that Sweet Potato Casserole is only invited to the Thanksgiving table because of the marshmallows. And marshmallows are what make a s'more so s'morey. And then there's pie, which is never a bad idea. The evolution was only natural.

This is quite possibly my best idea yet. Ok, maybe not. I've had some pretty good ideas. But these are definitely pretty innovative, I'd say.

Why more people have not made cookies out of pie crust is beyond me. Pie crust is a hot commodity, you know. Just think about it. What happens when someone cuts a slice of pie and that stubborn little triangular piece decides to stay in the pan? {You totally know what I'm talking about, right?} Um, you can bet that there is immediate rescue of said crust piece. No crust left behind.

So, why not make people happy? Why not pipe smooth sweet potato filling onto a pie crust cookie, top it with roasty, toasty marshmallows... and then finish it off with another crusty cookie?

Yeah, I can't think of a reason why this should become the customary method of serving sweet potato casserole/pie at Thanksgiving. Nope, not even one.

It's got all the beloved aspects of sweet potato pie AND casserole. Sweet filling.Toasted marshmallows. Flaky crust. {Note: If you're short on time or would rather not experiment with making your own crust, you can buy pre-made pie dough instead.}

These s'mores are sure to get your Thanksgiving guests talking... then again, maybe satisfied silence will be the sound as these are devoured, one by one.

Sweet Potato Casserole/Pie S'mores
Makes approximately 8, double recipe for a larger crowd


For crust:

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 stick {8 tablespoons} cold butter, cut into small dice
2-3 tablespoons ice cold water

1. Place all ingredients except water in a blender or food processor and pulse until the mixture forms a coarse crumb.

2. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the mixture forms a ball. Try not to add too much water. {I stopped after the 2nd tablespoon, pulsed it a few extra times, and a ball formed. You want enough liquid to make it come together, but not enough to make a mushy dough.}

3. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Place a sheet of plastic wrap on top and roll out, trying to keep a rectangular shape. {It doesn't really matter if your shape isn't perfect, it will just help in the next step.} Roll out to about ⅛ inch thickness.

4. Line a cookie sheet with foil and preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Using a cookie cutter, cut rounds or scalloped rounds to make "cookies". Place onto prepared cookie sheet. Pierce each one a few times with a toothpick or fork.

5. Place another sheet of foil on top of cookies and fit another cookie sheet {preferably of the same size} on top. {This will help keep the pie cookies flat and not let them puff up.} Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are slightly golden and set.

Remove from pan and let cool.

For filling:

1 medium sweet potato, cooked* & scooped out of skin
2 tablespoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon vanilla
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
Dash of ground ginger
¼ cup heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks
Mini marshmallows

1. In a medium bowl, beat cooked sweet potato, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger together with a hand mixer until smooth.

2. Gently fold in whipped cream until well incorporated. Try not to smush all the air out of the whipped cream; it helps lend a lighter texture to the sweet potato mixture.

3. Place the mixture in a piping bag fitted with desired tip. {Alternatively, you can scoop it into a zip top bag, with one of the corners snipped off.} Set aside until ready to use.

Assemble S'mores


1. Pipe the sweet potato mixture onto half the crust cookies. Set aside.

2. Set oven to broil {500 degrees}.

3. Place the other half of the cookies on a cookie sheet. Place mini marshmallows {about 8} on each cookie.

4. Put the cookies in the oven and let broil until the marshmallows become slightly charred on top, about 1 minute. DO NOT STEP AWAY! The broiler is very hot and will easily burn things to a crisp if you forget about it for even a second more. Keep an eye on these and make sure all is going well.

5. Remove from oven and immediately top with the sweet potato half of the cookies.

6. You may serve these right away or drizzle with cinnamon glaze if desired.

For drizzle: 

¼ cup confectioners' sugar
Dash of cinnamon
1 tablespoon {or a bit more} milk or cream

1. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and a drizzling consistency is reached.
2. Drizzle over s'mores and allow to set slightly before serving.

*To cook sweet potato: I usually just pierce the potato all over with a fork or knife and microwave on high for 7-8 minutes, or until the potato is tender. It will vary depending on the size of the potato.