Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Must Try

How To Prepare The Sweet Potatoes:

How to Make a Delicious Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
  • Youll need 2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes. The best way to cook the potatoes is to prick them with a fork, wrap them in aluminum foil, and bake for about an hour until theyre very tender.
  • You can also microwave them. Prick with a fork, then place on a dish and microwave until soft. When the middle is squeezed, it should be very soft. Smaller sweet potatoes take about 8 minutes, large sweet potatoes will take a little longer.
  • When the potatoes are tender, remove from the oven, open the foil, and let cool. Peel the skins off, mash with a fork, and measure out 2 cups. Or just measure out 480 grams and no need to mash.

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie is a delicious southern classic and one of my favorite pie recipes! Its simple, creamy and delicious and is absolutely perfect in the fall or anytime! This pie recipe is a family recipe passed down from my great grandmother. Its a favorite at family suppers during the fall and has always been a part of my familys Thanksgiving dessert table!

Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Dessert 2 hrs

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Southern Sweet Potato Pie is an heirloom recipe loved for generations! A delicious Southern favorite made with simple ingredients and perfect for Thanksgiving!

Sweet Potato Pie has been a well-loved dessert here in the South for generations and is gaining popularity in other regions now, too. I think its wonderful that many more people are trying and loving this classic southern pie!

Read Also: Dam Good Pies

Can You Freeze It

If you are super organized and planning ahead, then you can freeze the pie. Its best to freeze the pie before you bake it or it can become soggy once thawed.

Place the filling in the crust and then wrap securely in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Defrost the pie in the fridge overnight before baking. The pie will keep well frozen for up to 3 months.

Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pie

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Since the sweet potato filling is naturally gluten free, all you need to worry about is the crust. You have several options:

  • Make the crust with gluten-free flour such as Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour or King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour
  • A pre-made gluten free crust,
  • a cookie crumb crust made with gluten-free cookie crumbs

Read Also: Natchitoches Meat Pies For Sale

Sweet Potato Pie Vs Pumpkin Pie

Think of Sweet Potato Pie as Pumpkin Pies Southern cousin. While Sweet Potato Pie and Pumpkin Pie are usually made the same way puree, eggs, sugar, evaporated milk, and warm spices sweet potato pie has a more creamy, luscious texture and, in my opinion, a better taste.

Imagine eating a spoonful of canned pumpkin puree and comparing it to eating a spoonful of mashed sweet potatoes. Yup. Its easy to see why Sweet Potato Pie is superior. It tastes better.

I prefer the texture of Sweet Potato Pie as well. Its creamier, lighter in texture, and silky smooth, while pumpkin pie can feel damp and watery.

The History Of Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet potato pie actually originated among the African American slave community in the southern United States during the colonial time period.

While yams were a more traditional ingredient in African cooking, they were not readily available in the Americas. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, were a native vegetable and in great supply in the south, especially compared to the more popular pumpkins in the north. Combining European baking techniques of the classic custard pie with the the expertise and traditions of the African American community brought forth the delicious, soulful sweet potato pie we know and love today.

Don’t Miss: Chocolate Covered Key Lime Pie On A Stick

Roast And Mash The Sweet Potatoes

Many sweet potato pie recipes call for boiling the sweet potatoes but in this recipe they are roasted. Roasting takes a bit longer but is completely hands-off, and you dont have to worry about peeling or slicing them.

Simply poke the sweet potatoes with a fork five or six times and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast until very tender, about 1 hour.

Let cool, then scoop the pulp out of the skin into a medium bowl. Using a potato masher or fork, mash until smooth.

Can This Pie Be Made Ahead Of Time

The best Southern style sweet potato pie

This is one of those holiday time-saving recipes that I love. You can make sweet potato pie a day ahead of when you want to serve it. I usually make 2 pies at a time, wrap them in foil or plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. I do take the pies out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before serving.

Reader Comment:This recipe is almost identical to my Grannys that I still use today. She didnt include nutmeg, but I do. I prefer to bake my potatoes, the same as you, so you dont lose any flavor by boiling them. Nicely done! ~ Jackie

I love to serve Sweet Potato Pie with a big dollop of homemade whipped cream. You can certainly use Cool Whip but making your own whipped cream is so easy, why not give it a try. Heres how to make it:

  • Place heavy cream and powdered sugar in a large bowl.
  • Using a stick blender, pulse on and off, whipping cream and sugar together until stiff peaks are formed. You can also use a hand mixer if you dont have the hand blender.
  • Serve immediately or can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately 3 hours.

Recommended Reading: Bisquick Impossibly Easy Chicken Pot Pie

The Best Sweet Potato Pie Topping

. Since I cant let well enough alone, I topped the pie with a fluffy cloud of marshmallow whipped cream. Its creamy, puffy, not-too-sweet, and puts marshmallows where they belong: on dessert.

  • Fans of the marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole: I dont get the hype but to each their own.
  • Check out my Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole for my take on this classic Thanksgiving recipe. You can top it with marshmallows if you must just dont tell me.

Toasted Coconut. Last, since Im a bit of a texture freak, I couldnt resist adding a little crunch. Toasted coconut flakes, while optional, put this pie squarely over the top.

Not a coconut fan but craving texture? Try topping your sweet potato pie with toasted pecans.

How Do I Cut Sweet Potato Pie

The actual slicing/cutting of a sweet potato pie in and of itself is a simple thing. However, one major consideration needs to occur absolutely no matter how delicious and scrumptious the fresh out the oven sweet potato smells, you must let the pie set before cutting it. The pie needs to fully cool otherwise your slice will crumble like feta cheese. I recommend a full day to cool and rest, but if you must give yourself at least four hours.

Its actually easier to get that perfect uniform slice by cutting into a well-chilled pie. As a quality control measure I cut one slice out of my refrigerated pie which has the benefit of making room for me to cut the rest of the pie into slices.

Recommended Reading: Campbell Soup Chicken Pot Pie

The Best Sweet Potato Pie Ever

I realize that when food bloggers declare their own recipe as the best that its super cringe, huh lol. However, Im fully confident that once you make this recipe, youll come to the same conclusion. This southern sweet potato pie recipe has been tested to the max and received excellent reviews by all who Ive served it to. If youre new to this kind of pie, sweet potato pie is a very much respected pie amongst Southerners and the Black community. Yup, this is the pie that is often at the center of African American households on Thanksgiving.

A lot of folks are used to pumpkin pie around the holidays, but there is nothing like a slice of sweet potato pie. Generally speaking, the sweet potato spud is one of my favorites! That vibrant orange hue and rich, flavorful taste cannot be matched. This pie is loaded with delicious and warm flavors, peeps! The sweet potato taste is at the front and center while also being complimented by warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger. Additionally, its rich & creamy and dressed with a toasted, marshmallow meringue topping.

Can You Freeze Sweet Potato Pie

The new art of baking: " New"  Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet potato pie can be frozen. The photo you see right below is a frozen picture of the pie. Bake it, let it cool down then freeze. It’s the perfect pie to make a couple days in advance.

My mom has been freezing her sweet potato pies since I was a kid. Some people say to freeze the uncooked pie so that it doesn’t get soggy but my family never experienced that.

We think it tastes even better. Leave the pie on the counter to defrost then bake on 170 degrees until warmed through. Alternatively you can slice the pie then heat it up in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.

Microwave it again if it’s not warm enough. We enjoy our pie chilled or room temperature. The gold fork in the picture is from Target. Check the recipe for links to a similar one.

If you like the sound of this southern sweet potato pie please share it because if you like it, chances are other will too! Sharing is caring

You May Like: What’s In A Bean Pie

Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time

Prep this pie in advance, its a great way to save yourself some time! You can make the sweet potato pie filling up to 2 days in advance before pouring into your pie crust and baking. Keep the filling stored inside of an airtight container for freshness. Additionally, for the marshmallow/meringue, you can prep this a good 6-7 hours in advance of serving and store at room temperature. Otherwise, refrigerate for no longer than 1 day ahead.

Note: because meringue has a tendency to weep when refrigerated for too long, I recommend making on the day-of or night before serving.

Is Sweet Potato Pie A Black Thing

Ive always had sweet potato pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday dinners. And sometimes even on New Years.

Thats because sweet potato pie was made by Black folks back in Africa when they used the native grown vegetable, yams.

African-Americans today have continued the tradition of sweet potato pie with holiday dinners.

Recommended Reading: Mrs Budd’s Chicken Pot Pie Review

A Delicious Sweet Potato Dessert

Sweet potato desserts are absolutely amazing and I love swapping out traditional pumpkin with sweet potato. Sweet potato pie seems to be more popular in the south however, my northern family members have definitely been converted after eating this pie! This particular Sweet Potato Pie recipe is one that has been perfected over the years to get the spices just right. In addition, I’ve also started making it easier by microwaving the sweet potatoes rather than boiling or baking them. Also, if you enjoy pumpkin pie then you will certainly enjoy this pie since the texture and spices are similar. If you are looking for that flavorful dessert to impress your guests this year, then you need to make this Sweet Potato Pie recipe.

Best Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Old Fashion Southern Sweet Potato Pie | Thanksgiving Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links.

Sweet Potato Pie is a classic southern dessert thats irresistible! Made with simple ingredients and warm spices in a buttery crust, this pie is perfect for a weeknight meal and is a MUST on your holiday table.

When you say sweet potato in my house, the gang comes running but when you say sweet potato pie, well, then there might just be a stampede in the kitchen! We love these flavor-packed potatoes and eat them at least once a week.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Im starting to test drive a few recipes just to make sure the flavors are right and this pie has made the cut.

Also Check: American Pie Free Movie

Ingredients For Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

  • 1 ½ pound of sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed
  • 12 oz. evaporated milk, 1 can
  • 1 cup of light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon of ginger, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon of ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt

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.

You May Like: Key Lime Pie The Profit

Make The Brown Butter

  • Add butter to a saucepan and cook over medium heat. Once butter melts and begins to foam a bit, whisk continuously. As the butter begins to brown keep whisking to avoid burning.
  • If necessary lower the heat. When the butter develops that cooked caramel apple aroma you’re good to go. Remove from heat and pour everything into a glass dish.

Why This Recipe Works

Sweet Potato Pie
  • Baking the sweet potatoes for the filling adds depth of flavor as the potatoes caramelize as they roast and end up sweeter than if boiling the potatoes. Its an easy extra step and worth the time.
  • While similar to pumpkin pie, its a little milder and denser but not too sweet with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a bit of brown sugar and rum to balance it all out.
  • Use a frozen pie shell to save time, no need to thaw or pre-bake. Thanksgiving is the perfect time for a shortcut like this. Im all for crust from scratch, but this is just as good in my opinion with everything else Ive got going on in my kitchen!
  • You May Like: Chocolate Dipped Key Lime Pie

    How Do You Cut Sweet Potato Pie

    One primary consideration you need to consider while cutting your sweet potato pie is to let it set before cutting. Otherwise, the slice will fall apart like feta cheese!

    Its best to let the pie cool and set for a few hours up to a whole day.

    But if you cant wait the entire day, wait at least four hours before cutting it into pieces.

    Pro tips for slicing sweet potato pie:

    This process can be even more simple if you run your sharp knife on a chilled sweet potato pie. A perfect uniform slice will be in your hands if you refrigerate your sweet pie before cutting it. Be sure the knife is clean and sharp before cutting. Wipe it off with a damp cloth after each slice and cut cleanly through the bottom of your pie.

    Popular Recipes

    More Recipes Like This