Mason Jar M&M'S® Chocolate Oatmeal Pies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MemoriesInTheBaking #CollectiveBias 

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend, and now that it's all done... it's time to cook more!  Just kidding.  :)

Honestly though, between my friends, my family, and my man's friends & family, we have so many holiday celebrations this month.  Since I am the resident baker, I came up with the recipe for these delicious M&M'S® Chocolate Oatmeal Pies baked in Mason jars, just in time for the holidays!

First of all, if you have ever had an oatmeal pie, this is a chocolatey delicious twist on the traditional variety.  If you have never tried one, well let me take a minute to describe it to you.  There is no top crust to the pie, but the mix of oatmeal and coconut turns crunchy and golden delicious.  It is almost like biting into a chewy macaroon!

Inside, the M&M'S®, maple syrup, and coconut swirl together and you feel like you are eating a rich caramel or dulce de leche, with a hint of chocolate.  Basically, it is one of those desserts that have people rolling their eyes in the back of their heads with the first bite.  :)

Not only is it delicious, it is ridiculously quick and simple.  You don't have to be a professional baker to make it, at all!  This is one of those recipes that is so kid-friendly, even my eleven-year-old niece can whip this up on her own.  This year, I might have her "teach" the five-year-old how to bake it.  I'm imagining the tiny aprons right now... :D

To reiterate, this recipe super simple: it requires one bowl, no fancy equipment, and it takes only a matter of minutes to prep before throwing it in the oven.  Also, I make it even quicker by using a store-bought crust, because the hero here is the filling.  I think I could line the pie tin with sardines and people would still eat it!

Okay, so I have covered the fact that this is delicious (check) and you can see that it is gorgeous (check).  Not so convinced that it is as easy as I say?  I have step-by-step recipe photos below!

Lastly, I would say that the hardest part of the recipe is buying the ingredients (as I sometimes do), but this time at my local Target, it was super simple!  They even had special baking center display that stocked just about all of my holiday baking ingredients.  So after your one-stop-shopping trip at Target, you'll be ready to whip this up in no time!

Make sure to buy the Quaker® Oats, old fashioned variety, because it stands up much better to the long baking time.  Lastly, the M&M'S® Holiday Baking Minis make this just a bit more festive with the red and green, don't you think?  I found mine in the seasonal aisle along with the food gifts and candy canes.

To the recipe!

Mason Jar M&M'S Chocolate Oatmeal Pies
Inspired by this recipe
Makes nine 4-oz. pies

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Shop Small Saturday!

Today is one of my favorite days during the holidays... Shop Small Saturday!  Haven't heard of it before?  Well, here are a few reasons why you should shop small!

Are you ready to support some incredible makers and artists now?  Well, take a gander at all of the previously featured shops and be treated to some truly original gifts for your loved ones... and yourself!

There are so many awesome items to shop in the categories of: Crafted Gifts, Bags, Purses & Wallets, Men's Clothing, Delicious Artisanal Foods, Jewelry, Children's Clothing, Home Decor & Accessories, Paper & Stationery, Bath & Beauty, Accessories, Women's Clothing, and so much more.

Happy shopping!

You might also like...

Why Shop Small?

Shop Small Saturday Showcase

Haus & Home and Lord & Little

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a quick note to say I hope you enjoy your holiday and long weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

You might also like...

Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

Easy Sweet Potato Pie (without a crust!)

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Yogurt Panna Cotta (dairy-free)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SilkDairyFree #CollectiveBias

Every holiday season, I get busy with holiday parties making dessert after dessert spending a TON of time measuring, baking, and hovering around my oven.  Well, this time I decided to try a different recipe that would save me a lot of time and would result in an unexpectedly light treat: Yogurt Panna Cotta!  Just a few minutes of prep and you get this gorgeously smooth and creamy dessert.  It tastes rich and indulgent, but it does not leave you feeling heavy.  Absolutely delicious!

I went one step further and made it dairy-free because I have a few family members that do not handle lactose well.  That means that absolutely everyone can enjoy this dessert by using Silk Dairy-Free Yogurt!  My panna cotta recipe is also gluten-free, egg-free, low in sugar, and (with a couple of simple swaps) can be vegan.  Like I said, this recipe can satisfy nearly everyone, even with a special diet.  With my huge family, that is a feat in itself!

You would think it would be difficult to find a dairy-free yogurt, right?  WRONG!  At my local Walmart, it was literally right underneath the yogurt sign in the display.  Ha!  It cannot get any easier than that!

Also, before we get into the recipe, I made two versions of the recipe with the Vanilla and the Peach & Mango flavors.  At first, I was a bit hesitant to use one of the flavored varieties, because it has bits of real fruit in it and I didn't want the dessert to be anything less than silky and smooth.  Actually, I loved it!  My favorite flavor for an everyday breakfast or dessert is black cherry, so next time I am definitely making a Black Cherry Panna Cotta.  It even sounds fabulous!

Yogurt Panna Cotta
A Vintage Zest original recipe

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Flaming Sweet Pepper Poppers

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #VivaLaMorena #CollectiveBias 

Happy Thanksgiving week!  I've noticed that this busy holiday season, there is at least one party every week and I have so many more coming up!  Since everyone knows I cook and bake, I have to bring a homemade dish.  Since I want to mix it up (and I don't always have the time to bake), I have a few quick and easy party-ready appetizers in my recipe arsenal.  These Flaming Sweet Pepper Poppers are my newest delicious obsession because they are colorful, spicy, sweet, creamy, easy to make, and such a crowd pleaser!

These pepper poppers are actually a twist on a dish that my man already makes, but bumped up a notch!  Since I am such a spice fanatic, I decided to add some La Morena jalapeños and adobo sauce.  Oh. Em Gee.  They are so fantastic that we actually decided that these are even better than the original recipe!

Since I wanted to make these with quality peppers, I headed to my local Cardenas market, where they have almost an entire aisle of chilis.  Seriously!  Then, I spotted the easy to find La Morena labels,  because they have such a huge selection of peppers.

Just a few more ingredients and you'll have everything you need to prep these pretty party-ready pepper poppers.  Say that five times fast!

Flaming Sweet Pepper Poppers
A Vintage Zest original recipe

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Haus & Home and Lord & Little features + $30 giveaway & promo!

Welcome back to Shop Small Saturday Showcase!  This is the last week before the official Shop Small Saturday holiday, but let's celebrate early!  We have a two-for-one feature from both Haus & Home and Lord and Little, so it's doubly exciting, right?

Delia, the creative mind behind both shops, is offering one of my readers $30 credit to either shop in this week's giveaway!  Stay tuned for that (plus a promo for all of you readers) but first check out the interview below and one of the cutest models I've ever seen!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

I went to school for costume and scenic design and spent 7 years working in Los Angeles as a costumer for film and TV until my husband got a job offer in New York City.  When we moved to Brooklyn, I decided to spend less time on set and more time making things in my studio since it was my real passion.   Brooklyn was an inspiring place to live, but when we had a baby, we knew it was time to move back to Los Angeles where we could have grass and blue skies!   I feel like I'm living my dream...my son plays next to me all day while I make beautiful things in my studio for my two shops!


Where did the name of your store come from?

My home decor store, Haus and Home LA, is just a play on my last name, Hauser.

My kids decor store, Lord and Little, came from another family name, Lord.   It is my dad's, my son's, and my middle name.  One day, I was looking at my baby and thought "Aw...he's a little Lord!" But "Little Lord" was already taken, so I thought "Lord and Little" would be just as cute!

Why did you start making goods for both of your shops?

I opened "Haus and Home LA" and "Lord and Little" because making things is something I can't live without!  Learning new methods, shopping for vintage fabrics and trims, and exploring traditional folk art and craft is something I have always done as an artist, costumer and maker.   Trying to create something profitable from something I love seemed like an obvious next step.


What is your favorite item?

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What's In My Purse for Date Night - The Essentials

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BeHealthyForEveryPartofLife #CollectiveBias 

Is it just me, or does the cold weather make everything more romantic?  You know what that means... more date nights!  To my friends and family, I am the designated "organized gal who is always prepared."  Basically, everyone thinks that I have one of those Mary Poppins purses with all the things I pull out of it!  For date nights though, even though I like to take a smaller purse along, I want to still make sure that I have everything I need to make sure it all goes smoothly.

Want to take a peek?

First of all, I usually take a trip to Walmart to make sure that I am fully stocked with everything I need.  Some of these are my everyday go-to products, but for date night, I make sure that I have a few key items.  Let's take a look!

Just In Case...

Handle minor date emergencies with these items!

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Gift Guide for the Kids

Welcome to my third gift guide of the season, and it's for all the children in your life, from the itty bitty babies to the big kids!  (Psst...  Check out these links if you missed my other two gift guides for Travel Bugs and For Men!)

So many of my family and friends are having kids recently, that I am constantly on the lookout for a gift for children of all ages.  You know me, I have to gift something completely unique and special, that no one else knows about.  Lucky for you, today I have curated a collection of amazing gifts that will be your little one's favorite present in the bunch!  Once again, it includes many of my favorites from Shop Small Saturday and some upcoming features as well!

Let's get to the guide!

Cute Clothing

• Pink Floral & Red Plaid Shoes from ClamFeet, $26.50 : Get those tiny tootsies covered in style!
• Donut Bows from Bownuts Cafe, $8 : Donut& candy-themed bows?  Adorbz!
• Tank Dress from Santore Company, $35 : I'm so getting this for all my California girls!
• Chambray bib, Green Into the Woods bib & Gold Crown from Millipy, all $18 : Bandana bibs for fashionably messy eaters ;)
• Bows, Bows, Bows & more bows! from A Little Delight, $8 : SO many fabric options for these bows and bow ties!
• Custom onesie from Little Gents in Training, starting from $15 : Build your own onesie for the dapper little man... who still wears a onesie ;)

Tiny Toys

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Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MejoresRecetas #CollectiveBias

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only eight days away?!?  I am so excited for one of my favorite holidays, partially because it's all about the food.  :)  As you know from my previous Thanksgiving posts, I am in charge of certain dishes including stuffing!  This year, I decided to do something a bit different and boost the spiciness and Latino sabor (that's flavor in Spanish).  ;)

For my Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing recipe, I made a few swaps to my regular recipe.  First of all, I substituted the breakfast sausage for spicy chorizo!  Actually, for the version I photographed below, I used soyrizo so I could taste test it.  So if you actually want to make this a vegetarian recipe, it's totally doable!  Then, I made sure to include two special ingredients: La Morena Jalapeño Peppers and Chipotle Peppers for a more authentic taste.  The jalapeños give a bit of a kick (which you can adjust the levels of) and the chipotle peppers have a smoky, earthy flavor.  Comfort food to the max!

Lastly, I decided to serve up the stuffing in individual ramekins.  I love individual portions, and my family thought they were pretty fun too!  Of course, you can bake it in a regular-sized baking dish so it's even quicker and easier to make.  I'll include a link to the instructions for the alternate cook times below, if you decide to go with one big dish.  Actually, the dish is so simple to make, you might want to make it a regular weeknight dish throughout the year!

Wondering where to get La Morena products?  At my local Northgate Market, I found them in the aisle of Jalapeño Peppers and Hispanic Products.  Seriously, it says Jalapeños on the sign!  While I was at the store, I decided to pick up some Coca Cola in order to take advantage of their in-store offer: Buy (1) 7.5oz Mini Can or 6 pack PET bottles of any Coca-Cola brand + La Morena product and receive $0.50 off.  Sounds like a refreshing deal to me!

Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing
A Vintage Zest original recipe (inspired by this recipe)

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Peppermint Mocha French Macarons

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DelightfulMoments #CollectiveBias

People, I did it.  I finally crossed a recipe off of my bucket list.  I made French macarons!  Honestly, I'm pretty impressed with how well they turned out, especially after hearing all the ways they could possibly go wrong.  Even better than how they look, the flavors in this Peppermint Mocha variety are just amazing!  Not to toot my own horn, but the filling I came up with is chocolatey, minty, and tastes exactly like the holidays.  I plan to make them again for my upcoming fall and winter baking parties, and I hope you try them out too!

Need more convincing before trying out the recipe?  There's nothing like a fresh macaron with the crisp outer shell and chewy center.  Here's a secret... even if they end up a bit cracked (yes, they didn't all turn out perfect), they still taste great.  For the shell, I decided to leave it pretty normal in flavor, but I did add some red food coloring to make it a peppermint-y color.  I could have added some peppermint extract, but I knew the filling would stand out as it is.  I nearly made a buttercream filling, but I wanted to complement the peppermint flavor with even more chocolate.  I had a bit of leftover after the macarons... and let's just say not a single bit went to waste.  :)

My recipe was inspired by the Peppermint Mocha flavor of International Delight Creamer because it feels exactly like the holidays to me.  Once fall hits, I crave anything fall related.  In fact, all of the other flavors (Pumpkin Pie Spice, Frosted Sugar Cookie, and White Chocolate Raspberry) are just wonderful!  If you want to try them out for yourself, see if your local Walmart will have a tasting demo on this list.  That would be a yummy trip!

I found my Peppermint Mocha creamer in a center display in the Dairy area.  It's only $2.98 for an entire quart!  Imagine how many macarons you could make with allll that... :)  Also, I made sure to pick up the Caramel Macchiato individual creamers located in the Tea & Coffee aisle for a quick morning cup of coffee on the go.  It's a lovely accompaniment to all those macarons you're about to make!

Now, let's get to the recipe!

Peppermint Mocha Macarons
A Vintage Zest original

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Martine Leather Bags feature & Giveaway!

It has been a while since our last Shop Small Saturday Showcase!  It is the perfect time to start it up again because it is time for the holidays and putting together those gift lists, so make sure to take note of all of the upcoming shops I will be featuring.  You are sure to find some unique, amazing items to put on your list this year!

In fact, today's feature from Martine has some of the most gorgeous items I have seen produced by a single person.  Seriously!  I simply adore all of Sarah's items, and it is so difficult to look at all of the pretty leather bags, purses, and accessories, and just choose one favorite!  Take a look though and see how tough it is to add just one to your wishlist.

Also, I am so happy to say that Sarah is offering one of her popular clutches for a giveaway!  Make sure to enter at the bottom of the post after the interview.  Enjoy!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

My whole life I have been making things.  When I was young my mom taught me to sew, and my grandmother was an amazing seamstress.  We didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up, so we used to make clothing for ourselves.  With my mom's help, I started branching away from typical patterns and fabrics, and was part of my first group "runway" show at a local mall when I was 13.

In my teens and twenties I focused on making jewelry, and had a small line in Portland, OR in 2006.  I never really had the passion to turn it into a full time job, however.

I am surprised I hadn't worked with leather sooner, but when I started making bags I found it to be amazing.  I really love working with it and every piece I make, I thoroughly enjoy each step.



Where did the name of your store come from?

Martine is a rendition of a family name (Martindale), my grandmothers' maiden name.

Why did you start making goods for Martine?

I initially started making leather bags because I couldn't find a bag I liked for under $500 dollars.  I wanted clean lines and a simple structure, without all of the other bells and whistles one typically finds with less expensive leather bags.  I found the more refined and clean looking, the more expensive.  I bought some leather and made a bag for myself (the Portland Handbag was the original Martine handbag)  Soon after that I was getting requests from my friends and strangers to make bags for them.  After that I was determined to have a line of bags that are simple and refined, and with an accessible price tag.



What is your favorite item?

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How to Simplify Your Pre-Morning Workout Routine

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DailyRepairDifference #CollectiveBias 

Happy Friday!  I have such a busy weekend starting today with four media tastings for The Episodic Eater, three Vintage Zest-related events, and two networking meetings, that I hardly have a minute to think of myself.  Just like all of you, I know I need to continue all of the daily habits that keep me healthy and going strong!

We know that daily small steps make a big difference, both literally and figuratively.  For me, every day starts with a consistent morning routine before I hit the gym.  It is so tempting to stay in bed and hit the snooze button, but with a few simple steps, I'm on my way to the gym before I even have the chance to come up with an excuse!

I outlined three simple steps below that will help anyone streamline their pre-morning workout routine.  Before I even start with Step 1, I head to Walmart for all of the supplies I'll need!

Let's get to Step 1!

Step 1: Freshen Up

Not all of these items may apply to you, but it's exactly what I need every morning!  To make things easy, I keep all these items on a tray on my bathroom counter within easy reach.

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Gift Guide: For Him!

Welcome to my second gift guide this year, and it's all about the men!  I hope you enjoyed the first one for travel bugs, because I enjoyed putting it together for you.  I admit that this time, I had just a bit of help from my man with some of these gifts.  For the most part, I picked out items myself and got a stamp of approval, so I know there will be something that the guy in your life would love to receive!

Like the previous gift guide, I included a bunch of Shop Small Saturday Showcase features, as well as a few that I hope to write about in the future!  All in all, I handpicked thirty items to add to your holiday shopping list.

Now, let's get to the gift guide!

Looking Fresh

1. Full year of blades from Dollar Shave Club starting from $36 : Busy men will appreciate not having to remember to by razors when they show up at his door every month!
2. Uppercut Deluxe Pomade $17.94 : Date nights will be a lot more stylish with this pomade.
3. Herschel Supply Co. Men's Chapter Travel Kit $25 : Every man needs a place to stash their products on the guy. Find the right pattern to match your man's style!
4. Phrenology of a Gentleman shirt from Maiden Voyage Clothing Co. $28 : All of Maiden Voyage Clothing Co.'s illustrated shirts are fantastic. Check them out!
5. Ship's Wheel Brass Lapel Pin from Wertz All-Natural $24 : Add a little touch of class to any suit with this lapel pin.
6. Mini Leather Keychain from Montrose Leather Works $15 : Use this hand-crafted leather keychain with a built-in clip for function with great design.
7. Exotic Wenge Wood Cigar Case and Flask Combo from Wood Brain $105 : A beautiful and unique gift that is sure to catch anyone's eye. There are a few other wood options, as well as other hand-crafted items, perfect for a gift!
8. Kenneth Cole Reaction Briefcase $110.49 : Need a place to tuck away your pomade and cigar case above? Try out this bag!

For the Bachelor Pad

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DIY Gift Idea: Raspberry Vanilla Honey

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HoneyForHolidays #CollectiveBias

This year, I will be sharing a ton of ideas on what to give your friends and loved ones this holiday season.  Since I am a DIY-kind-of-girl, I am especially excited to both give and receive gifts that are lovingly made by hand.  If you think that making gifts from scratch has to be difficult and time-consuming, then I've found the perfect thing to try making yourself: Raspberry Vanilla Honey!

It is a simple recipe that requires three ingredients, just a few pieces of equipment, and practically no time at all.  I was inspired by the gorgeous Don Victor Honey, which has a beautiful golden color and comes with my absolute favorite way to enjoy honey... in the honeycomb!  The final gift is a lovely reddish color and I chose to include a few raspberries and a portion of a vanilla pod, just so the recipient sees what the honey is infused with before diving in.  Yum!

I found my jar of honey in the Hispanic Foods aisle of my local Walmart, and it is super eye-catching on display!  I noticed that there are no labels on the jar, so you can see the delicious honeycomb.  I challenge you NOT to drool right there in the store... :)

Now, let's get to the recipe!


Raspberry Vanilla Honey
A Vintage Zest original recipe

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Gift Guide: for Travel Bugs

Welcome to my first Gift Guide for the 2015 Holiday Season!  I have several more planned for upcoming weeks, so you're guaranteed to find something useful for your shopping list!

If you have been a reader since the beginning of Vintage Zest, you will know how much of a travel bug I am.  So far, I've taken you through the U.S. (New York, Nashville, Las Vegas, New Orleans), Europe (England, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland), the Philippines, and Australia!

Now that my feet have been planted for a bit, I put together a gift guide for the travel aficionado in your life.  I have included some items that I personally use in my travels, plus I've pulled items from my wishlist (hint hint, friends and family).  Also, I'm happy to say that there are some amazing finds from some past Shop Small Saturday Showcase features as well!

Let's take a look!

Hitting the Road

Here are a few items to make sure you hit the road (or the skies) in style!

1. Karma WiFi mobile hotspot $149 : I always need WiFi, so on the road this is a lifesaver!
2. Trakdot Luggage tracker $62.50 : Make sure you don't lose your bags with this nifty gadget.
3. p.o.p. Tasters from p.o.p. Candy $25 : I always bring something yummy to eat (much better than salted peanuts), and the little tasters are the perfect size for popping into a carry-on!
4. Ezra Kimono from Reverie $48 : This is a three-in-one garment, which is great not only for its multiple purposes.  It also looks chic and won't show wrinkles!
5. VIM & VIGR Compression Socks $34.95 : Compression socks are a must when you're travelling, but they can look cute too!  Personally, I have the nautical stripes version, but they're all super cute.  :)
6. Vintage Swiss Army Breadbag from ReclamationDept $76 : I heart all of their bags, but I chose this one because it is especially rugged and weather-proof!
7. Sennheiser folding headphones $74.99 : I actually own these in both black and white... because I like to match the device I'm working on.  Don't judge!
8. Globe Watch Necklace from Rewind Jewelry $120 : I own two pieces of theirs, but this one actually tells time!  Cute and functional!
9. PowerSkin Battery pack $49.99 : This has saved not just my behind, but a lot of family, friends, and even an occasional stranger at the airport. I have the bright pink version, but you can choose from several different colors.

Good Old-fashioned Paper!

For all of you that miss thumbing through a book and sending postcards home, I have some great ideas!

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Easy Sweet Potato Pie (without a crust!)

One of my favorite holidays is coming up... Thanksgiving!  You all know about my sweet tooth by now and that I used to live in Nashville, so there's only one dessert I make every year and that's the traditional Southern Sweet Potato Pie!  You might be thinking, "don't you already make a fantastic sweet potato casserole?"  Yes, I do!

There's quite a few differences between the two, so I end up making both for my family.  First of all, the casserole is much sweeter with all the brown sugar and marshmallow topping.  It's a bit healthier for sure!  Also, I tend to make the souffle just a bit chunkier while the pie is silkier in texture.

Now here's something that might turn you off: the pie has no crust.  Wait, wait, hear me out!  At the end of a Thanksgiving meal, my family always wants something sweet but not super heavy.  It's my way of making sure we don't completely overdo it by making up this delicious, lightened-up version! Of course, you can make the same easy filling and pour into pie crusts as well.  It's great either way!

Let's get to the recipe!  (P.S. - For more Thanksgiving recipes, check out my menu & tips post!)

Sweet Potato Pie (without a crust!)
slightly adapted from SparkPeople

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