🍠 Sweet Potato Pie Recipe – Classic Southern Homemade Pie
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe – Classic Southern Southern Pie
Make this classic Southern sweet potato pie with creamy sweet potatoes, warm spices, brown sugar, and a buttery crust. Easy, rich, and perfect for Thanksgiving and holidays.
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
This Sweet Potato Pie Recipe is a classic Southern dessert made with creamy mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, warm spices, eggs, and evaporated milk baked inside a flaky pie crust.
The filling is smooth, rich, and lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve it chilled, at room temperature, or slightly warm with a dollop of whipped cream for a comforting homemade dessert.
This traditional pie is especially popular during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other family gatherings, but it's delicious enough to make any time of year.
Why You'll Love This Sweet Potato Pie
- 🍠 Rich and creamy sweet potato filling
- 🥧 Flaky, buttery pie crust
- 🍂 Warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavor
- 🇺🇸 Classic Southern dessert
- 🦃 Perfect for Thanksgiving
- 👨👩👧👦 Great for family gatherings
- ☕ Delicious with coffee
- ⭐ Easy to prepare ahead of time
Ingredients
For the Pie
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Whipped cream, for serving
- Ground cinnamon, for garnish
How to Make Sweet Potato Pie
1. Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes.
Pierce them several times with a fork.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 45–60 minutes, depending on their size, until completely tender.
Allow them to cool enough to handle.
Remove the skins and mash the flesh until smooth.
Tip: Baking the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them helps prevent excess water in the filling and gives the pie a deeper sweet potato flavor.
2. Prepare the Pie Crust
Place the unbaked pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish.
Gently press the crust into the edges and trim or crimp the edges as desired.
Place it in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
3. Make the Filling
Add the mashed sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl.
Add:
- Melted butter
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Evaporated milk
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Salt
Whisk until smooth and creamy.
For an exceptionally smooth filling, use a hand mixer or food processor briefly.
4. Fill the Pie Crust
Pour the sweet potato filling into the prepared pie crust.
Smooth the surface with a spatula.
5. Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the pie for approximately 50–60 minutes.
The edges should be set while the center should have a slight jiggle.
Don't worry if the center looks slightly soft when you remove the pie—it will continue to set as it cools.
6. Cool
Transfer the pie to a wire rack.
Allow it to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing.
For the cleanest slices and best flavor, refrigerate it after cooling.
7. Serve
Slice and serve with:
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
Pro Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Pie
Bake the sweet potatoes
Roasting or baking sweet potatoes concentrates their natural sweetness and produces a flavorful filling.
Use room-temperature ingredients
Room-temperature eggs and dairy blend more easily into the sweet potato mixture.
Don't overmix
Mix until the filling is smooth and combined. Excessive mixing can incorporate unnecessary air.
Don't overbake
The center should still have a slight jiggle when the pie comes out of the oven.
Let it cool completely
Cooling allows the custard-like filling to finish setting and makes slicing easier.
Use fresh spices
Fresh cinnamon and nutmeg give the pie a much more fragrant flavor.
How to Tell When Sweet Potato Pie Is Done
The edges should look set while the center should have a gentle jiggle.
You can also insert a thin knife near the center. It should come out mostly clean.
Avoid waiting until the entire center is completely firm in the oven because the pie can become overcooked and develop cracks as it cools.
Can I Use Canned Sweet Potatoes?
Yes.
Canned sweet potatoes can save time when making this pie.
Drain them thoroughly and mash until smooth before measuring.
Freshly baked sweet potatoes generally provide a deeper flavor, but canned sweet potatoes can produce a convenient and delicious pie.
Sweet Potato Pie vs. Pumpkin Pie
Sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie have similar textures and warm spices, but their flavors are different.
Sweet potato pie has a naturally sweet, earthy flavor and creamy texture.
Pumpkin pie has a more pronounced pumpkin flavor and is often slightly more spice-forward.
Both are classic holiday desserts and are excellent choices for Thanksgiving.
Sweet Potato Pie Variations
Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie
Brown the butter before adding it to the filling for a nutty, caramel-like flavor.
Maple Sweet Potato Pie
Replace part of the sugar with pure maple syrup.
Pecan Sweet Potato Pie
Sprinkle chopped pecans over the filling before baking.
Marshmallow Sweet Potato Pie
Top the cooled pie with toasted mini marshmallows for a festive variation.
Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie
Add a small amount of bourbon to the filling for an adult Southern-inspired dessert.
Chocolate Sweet Potato Pie
Add melted chocolate or cocoa powder for a richer variation.
What to Serve With Sweet Potato Pie
This pie pairs beautifully with:
- Homemade whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
- Pecans
- Fresh berries
- Coffee
- Hot tea
- Café au lait
For a Southern dessert table, serve it alongside banana pudding, Louisiana pralines, and pecan pie.
How to Store Sweet Potato Pie
Because this pie contains eggs and dairy, refrigerate leftovers.
Cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Serve cold or allow individual slices to come to room temperature before serving.
Can You Freeze Sweet Potato Pie?
Yes.
Allow the pie to cool completely.
Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months for the best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
For the best texture, add whipped cream after thawing rather than before freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of sweet potatoes are best for pie?
Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are excellent because they are naturally sweet, creamy, and easy to mash.
Do I have to peel sweet potatoes before cooking?
No. Baking them with the skin on makes them easy to cook and peel afterward.
Can I make sweet potato pie ahead of time?
Yes. Sweet potato pie is an excellent make-ahead dessert. Prepare it a day before serving and refrigerate it until needed.
Why is my sweet potato pie watery?
Excess moisture in the sweet potatoes can make the filling loose. Baking the sweet potatoes rather than boiling them can help reduce moisture.
Why did my sweet potato pie crack?
Overbaking is one common cause. Remove the pie when the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle.
Should sweet potato pie be refrigerated?
Yes. Because the filling contains eggs and dairy, leftovers should be refrigerated.
Can I use pumpkin pie spice?
Yes. You can replace the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves with pumpkin pie spice according to taste.
Can I make this pie without evaporated milk?
Yes. Whole milk or half-and-half can be used, although evaporated milk provides a particularly rich and creamy texture.
Nutrition Facts
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 30g
Nutrition information is an estimate and varies according to ingredients, crust, serving size, and toppings.
Similar Recipes
- Louisiana Praline Recipe
- Louisiana King Cake
- New Orleans Beignets
- Banana Pudding
- Pecan Pie
- Pumpkin Pie
- Southern Peach Cobbler
- Apple Pie
- Chocolate Chess Pie
- New Orleans Bread Pudding
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Pie Recipe is a delicious classic that deserves a place on any Southern-inspired dessert table. The creamy sweet potato filling, buttery crust, brown sugar, and warm spices create a comforting combination that's especially perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For the best results, bake the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them, avoid overbaking the pie, and allow it to cool completely before slicing.
Serve each slice with a generous spoonful of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate homemade Southern dessert.
🍠 Recipe Card: Sweet Potato Pie
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
Cooling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: About 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Southern American
Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Bake sweet potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 45–60 minutes until tender.
- Cool, peel, and mash until smooth.
- Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish.
- Mix sweet potatoes, butter, sugars, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla, spices, and salt.
- Pour the filling into the crust.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50–60 minutes.
- Remove when the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
- Cool for at least 2 hours.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
⭐ Best Tip: Bake your sweet potatoes rather than boiling them. This concentrates their natural sweetness and helps produce a rich, creamy filling without excess moisture.
Comments
Post a Comment