Craving a fall-flavored treat that’s both comforting and surprisingly light? Look no further than these Sweet Potato Streusel Bars! If you’ve ever been disappointed by dense, gummy bars, prepare to be amazed. This recipe unlocks the secret to achieving the perfect tender, moist texture, all topped with a buttery, crumbly streusel and a tangy cream cheese frosting. Get ready to enjoy a slice of autumn bliss!
Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Streusel Bars
These sweet potato bars are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with them:
- Perfect Texture: No more dense, gummy bars! The unique technique in this recipe guarantees a light and tender crumb.
- Fall Flavors: The warm spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves perfectly complement the sweetness of the sweet potato.
- Easy to Make: Despite the impressive results, this recipe is surprisingly simple and straightforward.
- Crowd-Pleasing: These bars are always a hit at gatherings and potlucks.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can bake the bars ahead of time and frost them just before serving.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Sweet Potato Streusel Bars
Let’s gather the ingredients needed for this delightful recipe. The combination of sweet potato and warm spices creates a truly irresistible flavor profile, while the streusel topping adds a delightful textural contrast. The cream cheese frosting provides the perfect tangy counterpoint to the sweetness. Make sure you have everything ready to go before you start baking!
For the Sweet Potato Bars:
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour form the base of our bars. Using all-purpose provides a good balance of structure and tenderness.
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon of baking soda helps the bars rise and contributes to their light texture.
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of salt enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients.
- Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves create that signature warm, autumnal spice blend. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your preference!
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup of granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Vegetable Oil: 1/2 cup of vegetable oil contributes to the bars’ moistness. You can also use melted coconut oil for a slightly different flavor.
- Large Eggs: 2 large eggs bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Sweet Potato Puree: 1 cup of mashed cooked sweet potato puree is the star of the show! Be sure to use pure sweet potato puree, not sweet potato pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices. Roasting the sweet potato before mashing brings out its natural sweetness.
- Buttermilk or Milk: 1/4 cup of buttermilk (or regular milk) adds moisture and tenderness. Buttermilk’s acidity also helps activate the baking soda.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors.
For the Streusel Topping:
- All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour provides structure to the streusel.
- Light Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor. The molasses also keeps the streusel moist.
- Ground Cinnamon: 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon complements the other spices.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, is essential for creating that crumbly streusel texture. Make sure it’s cold!
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened, provides the tangy base for the frosting. Full-fat cream cheese works best for a rich, creamy frosting.
- Unsalted Butter: 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened, adds richness and helps create a smooth frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 and 1/2 cups of powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the frosting.
- Milk or Cream (Optional): 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream can be added to adjust the consistency of the frosting to your liking.
Crafting Your Sweet Potato Streusel Bars: Step-by-Step
Ready to bake? Follow these detailed, step-by-step instructions to create perfectly moist and delicious Sweet Potato Streusel Bars. The key to success lies in not overmixing the batter and ensuring the butter for the streusel is cold. Let’s get started!
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). While the oven heats, grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan. Alternatively, you can line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal after baking. This ensures the bars won’t stick and allows for easy lifting out of the pan once cooled.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves. Whisking ensures that the baking soda and spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This step is important for consistent flavor and rise.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 2 large eggs until well combined. Then, add 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato puree (not pie filling), 1/4 cup buttermilk or milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. This ensures a homogenous mixture, preventing pockets of oil or sweet potato.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients (The Key!): This is where the magic happens! Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir together using a spatula or wooden spoon just until combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are okay. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to dense, tough bars. This gentle mixing technique is the secret to preventing dense bars.
- Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Make the Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cut in 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter (cut into small pieces) using your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The cold butter is crucial for creating that desirable crumbly texture. If the butter gets too warm, the streusel will be greasy and clumpy.
- Sprinkle Streusel: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter in the pan.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (avoid inserting the toothpick into the streusel topping, as it may give a false reading). The edges should be lightly golden. Keep a close eye on the bars during the last few minutes of baking to prevent them from overbaking.
- Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This is essential to prevent the frosting from melting. Patience is key!
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar, beating on low speed until combined, then increase speed and beat until fluffy. Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time if a thinner consistency is desired for easier spreading. The key to a smooth frosting is softened cream cheese and butter.
- Frost the Bars: Once the bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Cut and Chill: Cut into squares. Chill slightly before serving for cleaner cuts, if desired. Chilling firms up the frosting, making it easier to slice the bars neatly.
Tips for Perfect Sweet Potato Streusel Bars Every Time
Want to ensure your Sweet Potato Streusel Bars are a smashing success? Here are a few extra tips and tricks:
- Don’t Overmix: We can’t stress this enough! Overmixing leads to dense bars. Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined.
- Use Cold Butter: Cold butter is essential for a crumbly streusel topping.
- Roast Your Sweet Potatoes: Roasting the sweet potatoes before mashing intensifies their flavor.
- Adjust Spices to Your Preference: Feel free to adjust the amount of spices to suit your taste.
- Add Nuts: For extra flavor and texture, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
- Storage: Store the frosted bars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Unfrosted bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
What to Serve With Sweet Potato Streusel Bars
These Sweet Potato Streusel Bars are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of other treats. Consider serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They’re also a perfect addition to a dessert platter alongside other fall favorites like our Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies or perhaps some mini cherry pie bites. For a complete fall-themed meal, start with a hearty soup, like our Creamy Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower Soup, followed by these irresistible bars for dessert.
Your Sweet Potato Streusel Bars Questions Answered (FAQ)
Can I use canned sweet potato puree?
Yes, you can use canned sweet potato puree, but be sure to use pure sweet potato puree, not sweet potato pie filling. Roasting your own sweet potatoes will provide a better flavor.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Be sure to use a blend that contains xanthan gum for the best results. You might also want to check out our guide on substituting flours for more detailed information.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
Why are my bars dense?
The most common reason for dense bars is overmixing the batter. Be sure to mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough texture. Another possibility could be inaccurate measuring of ingredients, especially flour. Always use the spoon and level method when measuring flour.
Can I use a different type of frosting?
Absolutely! While the cream cheese frosting is a classic pairing, you can use other frostings, such as a simple vanilla buttercream or a maple glaze. A brown butter frosting would also complement the flavors beautifully.
Enjoy Your Homemade Sweet Potato Streusel Bars!
These Sweet Potato Streusel Bars are the perfect treat for fall gatherings, potlucks, or simply enjoying a cozy night in. With their moist texture, warm spices, and creamy frosting, they’re sure to become a new favorite. So, go ahead, bake a batch and share the sweetness! Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out. We love hearing from you!
