The Vegan Maple Sweet Potato Pie Balls are comforting and delicious. We made them with sweet potatoes, cream cheese, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, pecans, graham cracker crumbs, vegan butter, and caramel sauce. This dessert contains 3 grams of protein and 190 calories per serving. They are ready to serve in just one hour and 35 minutes. Store these Vegan Maple Sweet Potato Pie Balls for five days in the refrigerator. You may serve these sweet balls with sliced apples, maple oat milk latte, vegan apple pie bites, orange segments, or chocolate truffles.
STATS:
- Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 0 minutes, excluding sweet potato cooking
- Course: Dessert
- Diet: Vegan
- Serving: 20 small balls
- Chilling time: 75 minutes
- Serving size: 2 small balls
- Cuisine: American
EQUIPMENT:
- Mixing bowl
- Potato masher
- Baking paper
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Silicone spatula
- Baking sheet
- Small bowl
- Refrigerator
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 medium mashed sweet potatoes
- Quarter cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Quarter cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Half tsp vanilla extract
- 4 oz softened vegan cream cheese
- Quarter tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup vegan graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tbsp melted vegan butter
- Vegan caramel sauce
INGREDIENT NOTES:
SWEET POTATOES:
- These potatoes include a naturally sweet taste and classic flavor of sweet potato pie. You may use canned sweet potatoes as per your preference.
VEGAN CREAM CHEESE:
- It makes the rich and creamy filling for the balls. Cream cheese also holds the sweet potato mixture well after chilling. You may use unsweetened vegan cream cheese alternatives as another idea.
MAPLE SYRUP:
- Maple syrup includes natural sweet and warm maple flavor. It also works nicely with the sweet potatoes and pecans. Utilize agave syrup as a replacement.
GROUND NUTMEG:
- It provides a gentle and nutty taste to the filling. Using a small amount of nutmeg gives the cozy homemade pie taste. You may use ground ginger as another option.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- First, cook the sweet potatoes and remove their skin properly.
- Mash the potatoes to make a smooth mixture and cool it completely.
- Mix mashed sweet potatoes, vegan cream cheese, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg in a bowl.
- Chill the mixture for 45 minutes, then mix chopped pecans, vegan graham cracker crumbs, and melted vegan butter in a separate bowl.
- Take small portions of chilled filling and roll them with your hands to make the balls.
- Roll the balls in the pecan and graham cracker mixture to coat them evenly.
- Cover the sheet with baking paper and arrange the balls on it, then chill them for 30 minutes.
- Drizzle vegan caramel sauce on top and serve the balls chilled.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
WARM DRINKS:
- Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Cinnamon Almond Milk
- Maple Oat Milk Latte
- Vegan Chai Tea
FRUIT:
- Sliced Apples
- Fresh Pears
- Strawberries and Blueberries
- Orange Segments
PLATTERS:
- Apple Pie Bites
- Pecan Cookies
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Chocolate Truffles
DESSERTS:
- Pumpkin Pie
- Apple Crumble
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Cinnamon Rolls
TIPS:
- To prevent the filling from becoming soft, use sweet potatoes that have been cooled.
- Refrigerate the filling first, then roll it so you can shape the balls with ease.
- Make sure to mash the sweet potatoes thoroughly so that no lumps remain in the mixture.
- Finely chop the pecans so that they adhere evenly to the balls.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Store these balls in a closed box for five days.
FREEZER:
- Freeze a single layer of this dessert, then store it in the container for 2 months.
FAQs:
Are we supposed to bake these pie balls?
- No, we simply shape the balls once the sweet potatoes are cooked, then chill them in the fridge.
Is it possible to prepare this dessert ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make these balls in advance and keep them refrigerated.
What causes the mixture to become too soft?
- The mixture turns soft because of the extra moisture in the sweet potatoes.
Should nuts be left out of this recipe?
- Yes, for a nut-free version you can swap the pecans for vegan graham cracker crumbs.
May I add canned sweet potato puree to this dessert?
- Yes, you can use unsweetened puree as long as it is thick enough.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 190 kcal
Net carbs: 18 g
Iron: 0.9 mg
Total carbs: 22 g
Vitamin A: 3,500 IU
Fiber: 3 g
Calcium: 40 mg
Protein: 3 g
Sodium: 120 mg
Potassium: 180 mg
