Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Dreamy Sweet Potato Pie Recipe: Homestyle Comfort in Every Bite

Crafting a delectable sweet potato pie brings pure comfort to any kitchen gathering.

Memories of southern hospitality dance through this classic dessert.

Creamy, smooth textures mingle with warm spices that whisper of autumn afternoons.

Grandmothers across the south have perfected this recipe through generations of love.

Delicate pie crust cradles the vibrant orange filling, promising rich flavors in every bite.

Soft hints of cinnamon and nutmeg complement the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes.

You’ll find this pie irresistible – perfect for holiday tables or spontaneous weekend treats.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Why Sweet Potato Pie Is a Classic Favorite

  • Bake with Minimal Prep: Simplify your dessert-making with this straightforward recipe that requires just a few basic steps and common ingredients.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delight family and friends with a classic Southern-style pie that offers rich, warm flavors and a creamy texture everyone will love.
  • Versatile Holiday Dessert: Perfect for thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special gathering where you want to serve a memorable and traditional sweet treat that feels like home.
  • Nutritious Indulgence: Packed with sweet potatoes, this dessert offers a healthier alternative to traditional pies while still delivering incredible taste and smooth, velvety consistency.

Essential Ingredients for Sweet Potato Pie

Pie Crust:
  • Unbaked Pie Crust: A pre-made or homemade shell that will hold the sweet potato filling.
Main Ingredients:
  • Sweet Potatoes: Creamy root vegetables that provide the primary flavor and texture for the pie.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy filling.
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the pie's surface.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help the pie set during baking.
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and traditional pie flavors.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste of the pie.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, creamy consistency in the filling.

How to Bake Sweet Potato Pie

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Sweet Potatoes

Crank up your oven to 350°F. Grab your sweet potatoes and poke them all over with a fork. Zap them in the microwave until they turn super soft, or roast them in the oven until they’re tender. Carefully peel off the skins and mash those potatoes in a bowl until they’re silky smooth.

Step 2: Whip Up the Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and start creaming together butter and sugar. Beat them until they become light, fluffy, and look like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 3: Create the Pie Filling

Toss in your mashed sweet potatoes and mix in these ingredients:
  • Milk
  • Beaten eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Salt

Blend everything together until the mixture looks creamy and well combined.

Step 4: Fill the Pie Crust

Pour the luscious mixture into an unbaked pie crust. Use a spatula to smooth out the top, making it look perfectly even.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pie into the preheated oven. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the filling sets and the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let the pie cool completely. This helps the filling firm up and makes slicing easier. Cut into beautiful wedges and serve up this delightful homemade treat that’ll make everyone’s taste buds dance with joy!

Tips for a Perfect Sweet Potato Pie Every Time

  • Swap regular milk with dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk for a vegan-friendly version of the pie.
  • Roast sweet potatoes instead of microwaving to enhance their natural caramelized flavor and add depth to the pie.
  • Prevent pie crust from burning by covering edges with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
  • Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for an extra warming spice profile that complements the sweet potato's richness.
  • Chill the pie for at least an hour before serving to help the filling set and develop a more robust texture.

Creative Variations on Sweet Potato Pie

  • Pecan Crunch Topping: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the pie before baking, adding a delightful nutty crunch and extra texture to the smooth sweet potato filling.
  • Marshmallow Swirl: Create a beautiful marshmallow swirl on top of the pie during the last 10 minutes of baking, giving a gooey and golden-brown finishing touch.
  • Maple Bourbon Infusion: Replace some sugar with maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon to the filling, bringing depth and warmth to the traditional sweet potato pie flavor.
  • Cream Cheese Ribbon: Swirl softened cream cheese through the sweet potato mixture before baking, creating a rich and tangy layer that complements the sweet potato's natural sweetness.

Pairings That Complement Sweet Potato Pie

  • Savor Complementary Bourbon Whiskey: Pair the sweet potato pie with a smooth, caramel-noted bourbon that echoes the pie's warm spices and rich sweetness.
  • Enhance with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top a slice with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream to create a luxurious contrast between the warm pie and cold, silky topping.
  • Match with Strong Coffee: Serve alongside a robust dark roast coffee or espresso, which cuts through the pie's sweetness and highlights its deep, earthy sweet potato flavor.
  • Elevate with Whipped Cream Garnish: Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon to complement the pie's warm spices and provide a light, airy texture.

Storage Suggestions for Sweet Potato Pie

  • Store leftover sweet potato pie in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Wrap the pie securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Place a label with the date to track storage time.
  • Remove frozen pie from the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent potential bacterial contamination.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Add a dollop of whipped cream for extra deliciousness.

FAQs About Sweet Potato Pie

  • Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can substitute fresh sweet potatoes with canned sweet potatoes. Just drain and mash them thoroughly before mixing into the pie filling.

  • How do I know if the pie is fully baked?

The pie is done when the filling is set and doesn’t jiggle when gently shaken, and the crust turns golden brown. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean.

  • Is it necessary to blind bake the pie crust?

For this sweet potato pie recipe, you don’t need to blind bake the crust. Simply pour the filling into an unbaked pie shell and bake as directed.

  • Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the sweet potato pie 1-2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before serving.

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Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe


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4.6 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 75-80 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Southern comfort meets dessert perfection with this classic sweet potato pie. Creamy, spiced filling nestles into a buttery crust, promising a delightful slice of homemade happiness you’ll savor with each comforting bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups mashed sweet potatoes
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Sweeteners and Dairy:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 0.5 cup milk

Spices and Flavoring:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a standard pie dish.
  2. Use a fork to puncture sweet potatoes, then microwave or roast until completely tender.
  3. Carefully peel off potato skins and thoroughly mash the flesh in a mixing bowl until silky smooth.
  4. Cream butter and sugar together in a separate large bowl until the mixture becomes light and airy.
  5. Incorporate mashed sweet potatoes, milk, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into the butter mixture, stirring until completely combined.
  6. Transfer the creamy filling into an unbaked pie crust, using a spatula to create an even surface.
  7. Place pie in preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and a set filling that slightly jiggles in the center.
  8. Remove from oven and allow pie to cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours, which helps the filling stabilize and enhances the flavor profile.
  9. Slice and serve at room temperature, optionally topped with whipped cream or a sprinkle of additional cinnamon.

Notes

  • Check sweet potato doneness by easily piercing with a fork to ensure smooth, creamy texture without hard spots.
  • Replace dairy milk with almond or oat milk for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, creamy consistency.
  • Sprinkle extra cinnamon or add a dash of ginger for enhanced warming spice profile that complements sweet potato’s natural sweetness.
  • Blind bake the pie crust for 10 minutes before adding filling to prevent soggy bottom and maintain crisp, flaky texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 352 kcal
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique


Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.

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