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Sweet Potato Praline Tarts Three batches. Three panels of taste testers. Three sets of rave reviews. And now, they're ready for YOU!
For YOUR taste testers, for your next dinner party, for a fabulous after school snack, for a take-to-work treat, for welcoming the new neighbors, for celebrating good news, for encouraging a discouraged soul, for ____________ (you fill in the blank). Just make it. You'll be thanking yourself over and over.
My three trial runs were all the same recipe, different pans, making each one totally unique. While they all turned out equally delicious, the first version was made in a 9" x 13 " pan and cut in squares, perfect for a picnic, a quick snack or to take to work. The second, made in a 9" round tart pan or a spring form pan made a quick dessert cut in wedges and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The third and final version* is the one pictured above (made in individual tart pans). It will make any evening (or afternoon. for that matter) feel like a special occasion! Make it in any kind of pan you want. Just make it! Like I said, you'll be thanking yourself over and over!
- For the tarts or bars:
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes you could also use canned, fresh mashed or pureed pumpkin
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- For the praline icing:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup half and half
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- For the praline pecans:
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup roughly chopped pecans
- sea salt a pinch
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For the tarts (or bars). Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray with baking spray or butter and flour a 13x9x2" pan or 2 - 9" tart pans with removable bottoms or 8 - 4" individual tart pans. You can also use one 9 or 10" spring form pan for a deeper tart.
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In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar using an electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mix to combine. Add sweet potatoes; mix well.
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In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg; mix to combine. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture; mix well.
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Pour batter into prepared pan(s); spread evenly. Bake 15-20 for individual or 20-25 minutes for 13x9 inch pan, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. While bars (or tarts) are baking prepare pecans and praline icing. Allow tarts (bars) to cool in pan(s) for 15-20 minutes before topping with icing.
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For the praline icing. Combine butter and brown sugar in a sauce pan over medium high heat; bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium low and continue to boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
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Add half & half and return to boil, stirring constantly. Removed from heat.
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Gradually add powdered sugar stirring until incorporated. Beat mixture until smooth. Pour icing over cake and spread with a knife to cover*. Scatter with pecans. Let icing cool and set completely before cutting into slices or squares.
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For the praline pecans. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and oil lightly or spray with cooking spray.
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Place butter and brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook for 40 seconds, stirring after 20 seconds. Add pecans, stir to coat.
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Turn out onto prepared pan . Bake 10-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until deep golden. Remove from oven, add a pinch of sea salt and stir to separate. Cool.
* ~ For the small individual tarts, I iced them as directed above (without the pecans) but reserved a bit of the icing to drizzle over each one after plating, then topped with the pecans.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
This looks so decadent, Chris! It must have been one delicious testing trial! 🙂 Love the drips - yum! Have a fabulous weekend!!
GLENDA CHILDERS says
Oh. my. word ... yum.
Fondly,
Glenda
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
This look simply incredible - I think these will be on my Thanksgiving table! SO lovely
Mary x
Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Very pretty and great pics! No doubt these are amazing, three lucky sets of taste testers:@)
Gloria says
I love praline and this look absolutely georgeous and delicious!!!!xo
Food, Fun and Life in the Charente says
I have never had sweet potato any way other than a vegatable, this looks very interesting, Mmmmmmm Keep well Diane
Ilan says
Hard to believe you can make something so delicious from just plain old sweet potatoes!
Sue/the view from great island says
I can't decide which version I love better. The tarts are so elegant, and I like that you don't have to fuss with a crust. But those squares look soooo good. Great recipe!
cquek says
My gosh, that does look pretty darn good.
twodogsinthekitchen says
Oh wow! These look great. So pretty, I'm not sure if I want to eat one...kidding, I can eat anything 😉
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Chris, this looks so good!
Laura Dembowski says
I cannot get over how good those look! That praline frosting is making my mouth water. These would be perfect for the holidays. I love that they're individual - no sharing required 😉
Kate says
I know it is early morning here, but my mouth is watering...I would love to have a fork handy and one of these in front of me. Gorgeous and who can possibly pass up sweet potato?
sophiesfoodiefiles says
I agree, perfect for a fancy dinner party! What a treat & feast for the eyes too! 🙂
I vote yes for this tasty & fabulous dessert!
Vicki Bensinger says
This has me drooling at 8:30am. This looks so delicious. I know so many people who make a sweet potato pie but I've never done one. It always sounded yucky to me - but your version looks amazing, especially with the sauce dripping off the sides. YUM!
This sweet potato tart I'll have to try.
Sandra Lee says
My daughter doesn't like sweet potato pie because of the crust. I think she would love these. They will be a big hit I'm sure. Love the tarts!
Angie's Recipes says
You have me at sweet potato tarts! The praline icing looks to die for.
Chatty Crone says
They look wonderful and I bet they taste great. sandie
Antoinette T says
Just reading your blog and looking at your creations makes my mouth water. I love your recipes!!!
Foodycat says
Oh my!
The Mom Chef says
I think the second one wins for dramatic effect. Wow. As a big tart it's stunning. I'll take the third one, however, so I don't have to share. 🙂
Sue says
Wow, this looks like the perfect dessert to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner! I'm not too adventurous when it comes to cooking but this looks simple enough for me to try.
Hovkonditorn says
These are perfect! You got me drooling 🙂
Martha says
oh my! yum, yum, yum! Can I just come eat at your house?! Your food is always fun, full of adventure, so colorful and beautiful!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Oh my gosh! This would be perfect to serve at Thanksgiving!! I love the pictures and the icing on top is calling me!! What a beautiful recipe and the photos are gorgeous!!! Have a great weekend Chris!