Southern Comfort Sweet Potato Pie

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie baking in the oven. This iconic dessert is more than just a dish; it’s a cherished tradition, a staple for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving feasts, and Christmas celebrations across the South. With its velvety smooth filling, perfectly spiced flavor, and flaky crust, a homemade sweet potato pie embodies warmth and hospitality. Forget complicated recipes; this easy-to-follow guide will walk you through creating a truly unforgettable dessert that will become a beloved part of your holiday table for years to come.

Why You’ll Love This Classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie

For many, the holidays aren’t complete without a slice of creamy sweet potato pie. It’s a dessert that perfectly captures the essence of autumn and winter festivities, offering a taste of home and a comforting embrace in every bite. This recipe takes the humble sweet potato and transforms it into a rich, decadent filling, harmoniously blended with warm fall spices, farm-fresh eggs, creamy butter, and just the right amount of sugar. It’s an easy pie to prepare, making it a fantastic addition to even the busiest holiday menu, ensuring you can bring a touch of Southern charm to your table without stress.

Sweet Potato vs. Pumpkin Pie: Understanding the Delightful Differences

Often compared to pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie offers a distinct yet equally delightful experience. While both share a similar aromatic spice profile—nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger are often found in both—the texture and inherent sweetness of the main ingredient set them apart. Sweet potato pie typically boasts a lighter, airier, and silkier custard, often with a naturally brighter sweetness than its pumpkin counterpart. The sweet potato’s unique earthy notes complement the spices in a way that creates a slightly more complex and less overtly sweet flavor profile. This makes it incredibly appealing to those who appreciate a dessert that’s rich in flavor but feels less dense and offers a uniquely satisfying mouthfeel. If you enjoy the comforting spices and creamy custards of pumpkin pie, you are guaranteed to fall in love with the nuanced sweetness and elegant texture of a perfectly baked sweet potato pie.

Imagine your holiday dessert spread featuring this exquisite sweet potato pie alongside other seasonal favorites. Our fabulous, from-scratch Gingersnap Crust Pumpkin Pie recipe offers a unique twist on a classic, with its spicy gingersnap crust adding an extra layer of flavor and crunch. Meanwhile, our vibrant Cranberry Apple Pie provides a refreshing, fruity balance with its tart apples and sweet cranberries, cutting through the richness of the other desserts. Together, these pies create an impressive and utterly delicious grand finale for any Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, ensuring every guest finds a slice of perfection.

The Heart of the Pie: Essential Ingredients for Southern Sweet Potato Perfection

Crafting the perfect sweet potato pie starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Each component plays a vital part in achieving the creamy texture, rich flavor, and aromatic experience that defines this classic Southern dessert. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this creamy, spiced sensation:

• Sweet Potatoes: The undisputed star of our show! For this sweet potato pie recipe, you will need about 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes, which should yield approximately 2 cups of mashed sweet potato pulp. Look for firm, unblemished potatoes with vibrant orange flesh, as these varieties (like Beauregard or Jewel) tend to be sweeter, more moist, and more flavorful. Roasting them, as we’ll do in this recipe, is a crucial step that intensifies their natural sweetness and depth, providing a significantly richer and more complex base for your pie filling compared to simply boiling them.
• Unsalted Butter: Softened unsalted butter is an essential ingredient for a smooth, rich, and luxurious filling. It adds a decadent texture and a depth of flavor that complements the sweet potatoes beautifully, all without introducing excess salt, allowing you to control the seasoning precisely. Ensure it’s at room temperature for optimal blending.
• Dark Brown Sugar: While light brown sugar can be used in a pinch, dark brown sugar is highly recommended for an authentic Southern sweet potato pie. Its higher molasses content provides a deeper, more complex caramel-like sweetness and a beautiful, rich golden-brown color to the pie filling. This unique depth of flavor is a hallmark of traditional sweet potato pie, often making additional granulated sugar unnecessary, as the pie is sweet enough on its own.
• Evaporated Milk: This pantry staple is a secret weapon for creamy, luscious custards. Evaporated milk has a thicker consistency and a slightly caramelized flavor due to the removal of about 60% of its water content during processing. It contributes significantly to the pie’s smooth, velvety, and rich texture. If unavailable, half-and-half or heavy cream can be used as alternatives, though they may result in a slightly different consistency and a less intense richness.
• Eggs: Eggs are vital for binding the filling together and creating that classic custard-like texture that holds its shape beautifully. They provide structure and richness, ensuring the pie sets perfectly while remaining tender and melt-in-your-mouth smooth. Two large eggs are typically sufficient for a standard 9-inch pie, contributing to its creamy consistency.
• Ground Nutmeg, Ginger, Cinnamon, and Kosher Salt: This carefully balanced blend of warm spices is what gives sweet potato pie its quintessential comforting and aromatic flavor. Ground nutmeg adds a warm, slightly woody sweetness; cinnamon brings a classic, inviting warmth; and ginger introduces a subtle, zesty kick that brightens the overall profile. The often-overlooked kosher salt is crucial as it balances the sweetness, prevents the pie from tasting cloyingly sweet, and enhances all the other flavors, making them pop. Don’t skip the salt!
• All-Purpose Flour: Only one tablespoon of all-purpose flour is used in this recipe. Its purpose is purely functional: to act as a gentle thickener and stabilizer. It helps to ensure the custard sets properly and prevents it from becoming too watery, ensuring a smooth, sliceable pie without altering the delicate texture of the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract is indispensable. It elevates all the sweet and spiced flavors, adding a fragrant, warm, and comforting note that beautifully rounds out the entire pie. Always use good quality pure vanilla extract for the best and most impactful results.
• One 9-inch Pie Crust: Whether you opt for a convenient, ready-made store-bought crust for ease or prefer the rustic charm and superior flakiness of a homemade one, a good pie crust is the essential foundation of your dessert. For those who love to bake from scratch, refer to our Easy Apple Pie for our recommended homemade crust recipe. Regardless of your choice, ensure your pie crust is properly prepared and chilled before filling to maintain its shape and achieve that desirable flaky texture during baking.

Step-by-Step: How to Make the Best Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Follow these detailed instructions to create a truly irresistible sweet potato pie, perfect for any occasion:

1. Prepare and Roast the Sweet Potatoes

Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). To ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking, line a sturdy baking sheet with parchment paper. Using the tip of a sharp paring knife or the tines of a fork, carefully prick the sweet potatoes in several places all around their surface. This crucial step allows steam to escape during the roasting process, preventing the potatoes from bursting and ensuring they cook evenly and become perfectly tender. Place the pricked sweet potatoes onto your prepared baking sheet.

Bake the sweet potatoes for approximately 50 to 60 minutes, or until they are exceptionally tender when a knife or fork is inserted easily into their centers with no resistance. The goal is perfectly soft, caramelized potatoes that will be effortless to mash into a smooth pulp. Once cooked, carefully remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet just long enough so they are comfortable and safe to handle without burning yourself. While they are cooling, remember to reduce your oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), as this will be the optimal temperature for the pie’s final bake. The rich, concentrated roasted flavor of the sweet potatoes is key to this pie’s exceptional taste, much like it enhances the savory depth in our popular Easy Sweet Potato Casserole.

2. Prepare the Pie Crust

While the roasted sweet potatoes are cooling, turn your attention to the pie crust. Prepare your 9-inch pie crust according to the package instructions if using a store-bought variety, or follow your preferred homemade recipe for a truly from-scratch experience. Once prepared, carefully place the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. To create a beautiful and professional finish, crimp the edges decoratively using your fingers, a fork, or a specialized pastry tool. This not only looks appealing but also helps to contain the filling. Immediately after forming, refrigerate the pie crust until you are ready to pour in the filling. Chilling the crust is a vital step that helps prevent it from shrinking during baking and ensures a beautifully flaky texture.

3. Create the Creamy Filling

Once the sweet potatoes have cooled sufficiently to handle, gently remove their skins. They should slip off quite easily, leaving behind the tender, vibrant orange pulp. Place all the sweet potato pulp into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer (either hand-held or stand mixer), beat the sweet potatoes until they are completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps remaining. As you mix, keep an eye out for and carefully pull out and discard any stubborn, stringy fibers that might remain within the potatoes; these can detract significantly from the pie’s desired smooth and elegant texture.

Next, add the softened unsalted butter to the mashed sweet potatoes and continue to mix until it is thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and cohesive. Then, gradually incorporate the dark brown sugar, evaporated milk, eggs, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Finally, add the single tablespoon of all-purpose flour. Continue to beat with the electric mixer until the entire pie filling is perfectly smooth, homogenous, and beautifully creamy, with all ingredients fully integrated. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed.

Carefully pour the creamy, spiced sweet potato filling into your chilled, prepared pie crust. Gently spread the filling evenly with a spatula if necessary, ensuring it is level across the crust.

4. Bake and Chill the Pie to Perfection

Carefully transfer the filled pie to your preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven. Bake for approximately 55 to 60 minutes, or until the edges of the pie are visibly set and firm, but the very center of the pie still has a slight, almost imperceptible jiggle when gently shaken. This slight jiggle is the perfect indication of a creamy, perfectly cooked custard that will continue to set as it cools. It’s crucial not to overbake, as this is the most common cause of cracks on the surface and can result in a dry, dense, or rubbery filling.

Once baked to perfection, remove the pie from the oven and immediately place it on a wire rack to cool completely at room temperature. This gradual cooling process is absolutely essential for the custard to properly set and firm up without cracking. Allow it to cool for at least 2 hours, or until it reaches room temperature. After cooling on the rack, transfer the pie to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, until it is fully set and firm. Adequate chilling enhances the flavor profile and ensures you get clean, beautiful slices every time.

5. Serve Your Delicious Sweet Potato Pie

Once your sweet potato pie is properly chilled and fully set, it’s time to slice and serve this exquisite dessert! It’s incredibly versatile and delicious at room temperature, slightly warm, or even perfectly cold. For an extra touch of indulgence and visual appeal, top each slice with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream, a light dusting of ground cinnamon, a sprinkle of toasted pecans, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy this classic Southern treat!

Expert Baking Tips for a Perfect Sweet Potato Pie Every Time

Achieving sweet potato pie perfection is within your reach, especially with these insider tips and tricks to guide you:

• Measure Your Sweet Potatoes Accurately: Precision is key in baking. This recipe specifically calls for 2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes, which typically comes from about 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes. Always mash your sweet potatoes first, then measure, to ensure consistency in your filling. This prevents your pie from being too dry or too watery.
• Roast for Superior Flavor: While some recipes suggest cubing and boiling sweet potatoes, roasting them is a game-changer and highly recommended for this recipe. Roasting caramelizes their natural sugars, imparting a significantly deeper, more complex, and naturally sweeter flavor to your pie filling. If you must boil them, be absolutely sure to drain them extremely well and even pat them dry after cooking to avoid introducing excess moisture that can make the filling watery and prevent it from setting properly.
• Crust Choice Matters: A homemade, flaky pie crust truly elevates the entire sweet potato pie experience, adding another layer of texture and homemade charm. However, a good quality store-bought crust is a perfectly acceptable and convenient option, especially during busy holiday seasons. Just ensure it’s a 9-inch crust and prepare it according to package directions, remembering the crucial step of chilling it before filling to maintain its shape and flakiness.
• Avoid Overbaking at All Costs: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for any custard pie! Sweet potato pie is a delicate custard, and like all custards, it’s prone to overbaking. The pie is fully baked when its edges are firm and set, but the very center still has a slight, almost imperceptible jiggle when gently shaken. A clean knife inserted near the edge (but not the center) should come out clean. Overbaking will result in a dry, dense, or rubbery filling and can cause unsightly cracks on the surface as it cools, diminishing its visual appeal.
• Proper Cooling and Chilling is Essential: Patience is a virtue when it comes to setting custard pies. Do not rush this step! Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature for at least two hours (or until it’s no longer warm to the touch) before transferring it to the refrigerator. Chilling for at least three hours (or ideally overnight) is absolutely essential for the filling to fully firm up, allowing for clean, beautiful, and effortless slices.
• Bring Ingredients to Room Temperature: Ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature ingredients combine more smoothly and evenly with the other components, resulting in a silkier, more uniform, and velvety filling that sets perfectly.
• Don’t Overmix the Filling: Once all the wet and dry ingredients are added, mix just until everything is smooth and thoroughly combined. Overmixing can incorporate too much air into the filling, which can lead to a less dense, sometimes bubbly texture, and can also contribute to cracking as the pie bakes and cools.
• Prevent Crust Browning: If your pie crust edges start to brown too quickly during baking, simply cover them loosely with aluminum foil or a pie shield for the remainder of the baking time. This protects the delicate crust from burning while the filling finishes cooking.

Sweet Potato Pie FAQs: Your Questions Answered

More Delicious Pie Recipes to Explore

If you’re a fan of our classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie, you’ll surely love these other delightful pie creations perfect for any occasion, especially for enhancing your holiday dessert table:

• Creamy Pumpkin Pie Bars – A fantastic, easy-to-serve alternative to traditional pumpkin pie, perfect for potlucks or large gatherings.
• Homemade Coconut Cream Pie – A tropical twist on a classic, perfect for those who love creamy, coconutty goodness and a refreshing change of pace.
• Classic Blueberry Pie – Bursting with juicy, sweet blueberries encased in a flaky crust, this pie is a timeless favorite, especially when berries are in season.

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Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

This easy-to-make pie features creamy, roasted sweet potatoes expertly blended with a perfect mix of fall spices, farm-fresh eggs, rich butter, and just the right amount of sugar, all encased in a tender, flaky crust. A true taste of Southern comfort and a holiday favorite for any festive table.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Southern

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Chilling Time: 3 hours (or overnight for best results)

Servings: 8

Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients

• 1 (9-inch) Pie shell (homemade or store-bought, see our recommended crust recipe here)
• 2 cups Mashed sweet potatoes (approximately 3 medium sweet potatoes)
• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup Dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Evaporated milk
• 2 large Eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (pure vanilla is recommended)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Prick the whole sweet potatoes in several places with a paring knife or fork tines to allow steam to escape during roasting.
2. Bake the sweet potatoes for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserts easily into the center, indicating they are very tender. Remove from oven and let them cool just long enough until they are easy to handle. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
3. Prepare your 9-inch pie crust according to package instructions or your chosen homemade recipe. Place the prepared crust into a pie plate and crimp the edges decoratively. Refrigerate the pie crust until you are ready to fill it.
4. Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, remove their skins (they should peel off easily). Place the sweet potato pulp in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the sweet potatoes until completely smooth and creamy, making sure to remove any stringy fibers.
5. Add the softened unsalted butter to the mashed sweet potatoes and mix until fully combined and smooth.
6. Next, add the dark brown sugar, evaporated milk, large eggs, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, kosher salt, and all-purpose flour to the bowl. Beat with the electric mixer until the filling is completely smooth, well-combined, and homogenous. Do not overmix.
7. Carefully pour the creamy sweet potato filling into your prepared and chilled pie crust. Gently spread the filling evenly with a spatula if necessary to ensure a smooth top.
8. Bake the pie in the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the very center barely jiggles when gently moved. This slight jiggle indicates a perfectly cooked custard. Avoid overbaking.
9. Remove the baked pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature for at least 2 hours. This gradual cooling is essential for the custard to set properly and prevent cracking.
10. After cooling, transfer the pie to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, until it is fully set and firm. Adequate chilling ensures clean, beautiful slices.
11. Slice and serve your delicious Southern Sweet Potato Pie. It’s delightful at room temperature, slightly warm, or even cold. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, or toasted pecans if desired.

Notes

Storing:

This is a custard pie made with eggs and milk, so it is perishable and must be refrigerated. Once completely cooled at room temperature, wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap to maintain freshness and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for 3-4 days.

Freezing:

Sweet potato pie freezes exceptionally well, making it a great make-ahead option. After the pie has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, then wrap it again in heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be safely stored in the freezer for up to two months. To thaw, transfer the wrapped pie to the refrigerator overnight. It can be served chilled or brought to room temperature before enjoying.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 369kcal
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 21g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 82mg
• Sodium: 235mg
• Potassium: 238mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 23g
• Vitamin A: 5178IU
• Vitamin C: 1mg
• Calcium: 86mg
• Iron: 1mg