Sweet potato haupia pie is a dish of Hawaiian cuisine.[1]
It is a pie made with sweet potato filling and topped with a layer of haupia (coconut pudding) and uses a macadamia nutshortbread base or short crust. Although it is called a "pie", it is usually prepared in rectangular pans as dessert bars, although a pie dish (or tart pan) can be used.[2][3][4][5][6]
Background
Sweet potatoes have been a staple in Hawaii for hundreds of years and have been used in various recipes.[7] This particular dish was inspired by sweet potato pie originating from the Southern United States. However, it uses Okinawan sweet potatoes, also known as Okinawan purple sweet potatoes or Hawaiian purple sweet potatoes, a popular cultivar widely grown in Hawaii which makes for a vibrant purple filling. The Okinawan sweet potatoes are creamier than other varieties.[8] The filling is usually absent of the warm spices commonly associated with Southern sweet potato pie. The sweet potato is often mislabeled or mistaken for ube which shares a purple color but has a distinct flavor of its own.[9]
Although usually a dessert, sometimes it can even be eaten for breakfast.[10][11]
Preparation
The filling is made by boiling Okinawan purple sweet potatoes until tender, mashing them, and combining them with sugar, coconut milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. This mixture is then poured into the crust and baked until set. For the haupia layer, coconut milk, water, sugar, and cornstarch are cooked until thickened and then spread over the cooled sweet potato layer. The pie is refrigerated until the haupia layer is firm and typically served with optional toppings like whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes.[12]