Sweet Potato–Miso Pie with Chocolate-Sesame Crust

A unique twist on traditional sweet potato pie featuring an umami-rich miso filling in a chocolate cookie crust enhanced with black sesame seeds. The combination creates a sophisticated dessert that balances sweet, nutty, and savory flavors.

8 servings
3 hr 8 min

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • cup black sesame seeds
  • 5 ounces chocolate wafer cookies
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 whole sweet potatoes
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons white miso
  • 2 whole egg yolks
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 serving whipped cream
  • 1 piece spice mill

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar, until butter is melted.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, very finely grind sesame seeds in spice mill or with mortar and pestle. Pulse cookies in a food processor until finely ground.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Pour butter mixture into food processor; add salt and ground sesame and pulse to combine. Using a measuring cup, press cookie mixture firmly onto bottom and up the sides of a 9" pie dish. Freeze until very cold, 20-25 minutes.

    25 min

  4. 4.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake crust until firm and slightly darkened in color, 15-18 minutes. If crust slides down sides, gently press back up. Let cool.

    18 min

  5. 5.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Roast sweet potatoes on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet until tender, 50-60 minutes. Slice open lengthwise and let cool. Scoop out flesh from skins (you should have about 1 cup); pulse in food processor until very smooth. Discard skins.

    60 min

  6. 6.

    Whisk brown sugar, butter, and miso in a medium bowl until smooth. Add egg yolks and egg and whisk just to incorporate. Whisk in sweet potato purée, then cream.

    10 min

  7. 7.

    Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Pour filling into crust. Bake pie, rotating halfway through, until filling is set (it will still wobble slightly in the very center), 50-60 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack and let pie cool before slicing, about 2 hours.

    60 min

  8. 8.

    Serve pie topped with whipped cream or scoops of vanilla ice cream.

    5 min