Sweet Potato Pie Delicious No Matter Where Its Made
Growing up in the South, I always thought pumpkins were for Halloween decorations, and sweet potatoes were for eating. I love any way they are prepared: baked, candied, Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows or fried.
But by far, one of my favorite things to eat is Sweet Potato Pie. This has been a holiday tradition for years, and its one I hope continues for a long time to come!
The most time-consuming part to making this pie is peeling, slicing, and boiling the potatoes. While the pie is baking, you can quickly clean up and move to the next task on the list. And while you are working, you can enjoy that delicious aroma!
Ready for a touch of the South on your Holiday table? Go ahead. Make one. I promise you wont regret it!
How To Make Sweet Potato Pie:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. First, poke holes all over the sweet potatoes and place them in a microwave-safe place. Microwave for 5 minutes flipping the potatoes over halfway through. Poke a knife through the potato, if there is no resistance they are ready, if not place them back in the microwave in 30-second intervals until soft. Let the potatoes cool to room temperature. Then remove the peels off the potatoes and place them in a large bowl. Nest, whip the potatoes with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
Add in the butter and mix until combined.
Now add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, mix until smooth.
Next add the eggs and mix until smooth.
Then, add the heavy cream, flour, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg, mix until smooth and combined, scrape the sides if needed.
Place the pie crust into a pie plate and crimp the edge.
Add the filling and smooth out the top.
Bake for 45-50 minutes until set. It might be the slightest bit jiggly. It is ready when a butter knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Or, an internal temperature reaches 175°F.
Finally, let the pie cool to room temperature before slicing to serve, or chill first.
Why This Recipe Works:
The best way to get the lumps out of your potatoes is to use a food processor. Just add the ingredients into the food processor. Process real quick until silky and smooth. Pour it into a prepared pie crust and bake. THAT SIMPLE and so flavorful! I’m eating a slice now.
My goodness it’s so good. I’m dreaming of selling them. I made this pie for a recent event and black folks, white folks all races of folks loved it!
Not much else to say about this recipe except to ditch the electric mixer because it takes too long to achieve a smooth batter. The food processor methods works so much better.
Read Also: Peach Cobbler With Pie Crust And Frozen Peaches
A Deep Tart Pan Not A Pie Pan
Baking a pie in a tart pan instead of a pie pan also breaks from tradition, but since my pie pan is often occupied with another pie on Thanksgiving, I stumbled upon this discovery out of necessity. A deep metal tart pan with a removable bottom is the best pan for baking sweet potato pie. The thin metal browns the crust without the need for blind baking, and the fluted sides and removable bottom makes for a better presentation, too.
Sweet Potato Pie History
As far back as the 16th century, sweet potatoes were being shipped from South America to Western Europe and Africa. In Europe, sweet potatoes became increasingly popular, and locals created a dish known as sweet potato tarts. When colonists came to America, they continued to make this dish.
Over time, the sweet potato tart garnered the most fans in the American South because they were easier to grow than pumpkins .
As stoves became more attainable to households around the nation, and processed ingredients like sugar became more accessible, the idea of making formal desserts quickly spread, leading to the sweet potato pie that we know today.
So, while pumpkin pie may be the one thats often considered traditional for Thanksgiving , my theory that sweet potato pie deserves serious consideration for the T-Day spotlight does have some historical backing.
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What To Serve With Sweet Potato Pie
Other Pies: Sometimes a pie is great on its own, but one pie is never as good as multiple pies! Go here to see all of my pie recipes, or try making my Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Pie, or Peach Pie.
Make it for Thanksgiving: Sweet Potato Pie is perfect for your Thanksgiving table. While youre planning, check out all of my Thanksgiving recipes for turkey, sides, and desserts.
Have it After Dinner: Pie doesnt need to be saved for special occasions. Make this pie ahead of time and enjoy it after a nice hearty family dinner, like Cream of Mushroom Chicken or my favorite Meatloaf recipe.
How To Freeze & Store
- How to store leftovers. Leftover sweet potato pie can last in the refrigerate for 4 or 5 days when tightly wrapped and covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Can you freeze sweet potato pie? Yes, this pie can be frozen. Bake as directed then allow to cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and again in aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Also Check: The Key Lime Pie Company
Tips From The Betty Crocker Kitchens
- tip 1 For a special dollop on top of each slice of sweet potato pie, fold flaked coconut into whipped cream.
- tip 2 For best results use a heat-resistant glass pie plate or dull aluminum pie pan. Shiny or disposable pie pans reflect heat and prevent crusts from browning, dark pans absorb heat, causing over-browning and nonstick pans can cause crusts to shrink.
- tip 3 To soften chilled butter, cut into small pieces and leave at room temperature. A faster method is to microwave it at 5-second intervals checking frequently to ensure the butter is softened but not melted.
How To Cook Sweet Potatoes For Pie Filling
I like using fresh sweet potatoes so in order to mash them you obviously have to cook them first. You can scrub and then cut the sweet potatoes into large chunks and boil until fork tender.
Thoroughly drain the sweet potatoes and let cool enough to handle. The skins should come off easily.
However, I prefer to roast them. To do this preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
Scrub the potatoes and dry. Use a sharp knife or fork to pierce each potato on all sides about 6 to 8 times. I just use a knife and pierce the four sides twice.
Put in the oven and roast for 30 60 minutes depending on the size of the sweet potatoes. Remove from the oven and let cool enough so that you can handle them.
The skins should come right off. Discard any hairy or brown parts.
You may notice some oozing as in my pictures. This is totally normal and just some of the natural sugars in the sweet potatoes coming out.
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How To Make The Best Sweet Potato Pie
The Best Sweet Potato Pie Starts With Baked Sweet Potatoes
Many sweet potato pie recipes call for boiling the sweet potatoes on the stovetop until tender, but I believe that the best sweet potato pie is made from baked sweet potatoes. Baking sweet potatoes softens them without adding extra moisture, concentrates their flavor and sweetness, and makes sweet potato pie-making easier. Less moisture in the sweet potatoes also means a creamier pie. Sure, whole sweet potatoes take at least an hour to bake in the oven, but that cook time is completely hands-off. Theres no peeling, no dicing, and no tending to a boiling pot on the stove, which is the last thing you want to be doing while making three or four other side dishes for Thanksgiving.
Make-ahead tip: Bake the sweet potatoes up to one week in advance and store the flesh in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to purée.
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How Do You Make It
Note: The full instruction is provided in the recipe card below.
Make the Pie Crust: Sift dry ingredients, cut in butter, mix in wet ingredients, shape into a disk, and refrigerate before pre-baking it.
Make the Filling: Combine the filling ingredients, fill the chilled pie crust with the sweet potato filling.
Bake:Bake the sweet potato pie in a preheated 425 F oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake until the top is golden brown and the filling has puffed and set, about 40 to 50 minutes, or until a skewer is inserted in the center and comes out clean. If the crust browns too quickly, cover it with foil and continue baking. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Serve:Let the Sweet Potato Pie cool on the counter for about 3 hours before serving to allow the filling to set.
How to Store & Re-heat
After baking your sweet potato pie, let it cool completely for three to four hours. Then, loosely cover the pie with aluminum foil or plastic wrap before refrigerating for up to three days. Sweet Potato Pie is best served at room temperature however, if you want it warm, reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds until it is heated or the desired temperature.
How to serve Sweet Potato Pie
Serve Sweet Potato pie cooled down at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Make-Ahead:
What Tools do you need to make this Recipe?
How To Make Sweet Potato Pie From Scratch
This sweet potato pie is easy to make! Heres how you do it:
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Recipe Tips And Tricks
- How to serve: Theres no right or wrong way to enjoy sweet potato pie, but it tastes delicious when topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. You can also drizzle it with honey, maple syrup, or a brown sugar glaze if you have an insatiable sweet tooth.
- How to store: Cover the pie in plastic cling wrap or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- How to freeze: Sweet potato pie can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. For easy eating, pre-portion into slices before freezing. Wrap tightly in plastic cling wrap and place in a freezer bag or airtight container.
How To Boil Sweet Potatoes
You will need fresh sweet potatoes for this homemade sweet potato pie recipe and you will need to boil them. If you have never boiled sweet potatoes it is super easy!
Just get a large pot to add the sweet potatoes in and then add enough water to cover them completely. Cover the pot with a lid and then place the pot on high heat on the stove.
Bring the water to a boil and once it has started boiling let the sweet potatoes boil for 15 minutes.
Check to see if they are soft by piercing them with a fork or knife. If they are not soft then let them boil for another 5-10 minutes.
Once done boiling use a strainer and drain the water and sweet potatoes, put the sweet potatoes back into the pot, and mash.
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More Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes:
Chocolate Pecan Pie a twist on the classic pecan pie but loaded with chocolate flavors and a hint of bourbon.
Easy Apple Cake wonderfully soft, moist, and topped with scrumptious caramelized apples and a touch of flaky sea salt.
Apple Pie Mini Cheesecakes every bite of these individual cheesecakes features creamy filling, sweet apple pie topping, and a drizzle of caramel.
Sweet Potato Cheesecake it has the same wonderful flavors of sweet potato casserole but made into a velvety, sweet dessert.
Can I Freeze Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
YES! You can keep your pie in the freezer in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Make sure to let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating again. Wrap the pie in saran wrap, then in foil, and then place in a freezer-safe zipped plastic bag. This ensures that smells and freezer burn will not affect your pie.When thawing, place in the fridge to thaw. Do not thaw on the counter as this will cause your crust to get soggy.
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Why Youll Love This Recipe