Holiday desserts

Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 10:00 am

Holiday Dessert Recipe Offers Vegan-Friendly Option

A classic local-style dessert, featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a vibrant purple sweet potato filling, and a creamy haupia topping, is gaining attention for its versatility. The recipe, easily adaptable for vegan diets, allows for substitutions of traditional ingredients with plant-based alternatives. This makes it a suitable option for various dietary needs, including those seeking a Thanksgiving-friendly dessert.

The recipe calls for a crust made with flour, sugar, and butter, with optional macadamia nuts. The filling combines mashed Okinawan sweet potato, butter, sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla, and salt. The haupia topping is crafted from sugar, cornstarch, water, and thawed frozen coconut milk.

The preparation involves baking the crust, then increasing the oven temperature to bake the filling. The haupia topping is cooked on the stovetop until thickened, then poured over the filling. The dessert requires refrigeration for several hours before serving. The recipe yields approximately 24 squares.

A nutritional analysis per square, based on dairy ingredients and including macadamia nuts, estimates 280 calories, 19 grams of fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, 45 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 14 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

The recipe is associated with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, an international nonprofit with a local presence. The foundation's mission includes promoting a healthy vegetarian lifestyle.

BNN's Perspective: This recipe is a welcome addition to the holiday dessert landscape. The ease of adapting it for vegan diets is a positive step towards inclusivity. While the nutritional information provides a helpful overview, it's important to remember that ingredient substitutions will alter the final values. Overall, this dessert offers a delicious and adaptable option for a variety of tastes and dietary preferences.

Keywords: holiday dessert, vegan dessert, sweet potato pie, haupia topping, recipe, plant-based, Thanksgiving dessert, Okinawan sweet potato, crust, filling, coconut milk, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, vegetarian, healthy lifestyle

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