The Perfect Sweet Potato Pie Recipe for a Cozy Fall Treat

Sweet potato pie represents a culinary masterpiece that elevates humble ingredients into an extraordinary dessert.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this creamy confection with its velvety texture and complex flavor profile.

Generations of bakers have perfected the art of blending earthy root vegetables with delicate spices and rich custard.

Each slice carries memories of family recipes passed down through careful hands and loving traditions.

The golden-brown surface hints at the delectable experience waiting beneath its flaky crust.

Warmth radiates from its inviting aroma, promising a moment of pure comfort and indulgence.

Sweet Potato Pie: A Rich, Comforting Dessert

• Unlock Effortless Comfort: This sweet potato pie offers a simple, straightforward baking experience that even novice bakers can master with ease. The recipe requires minimal technical skills and uses basic ingredients found in most kitchens.
• Savor Rich Seasonal Warmth: Packed with cozy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this pie delivers a deeply satisfying flavor profile that captures the essence of autumn and winter gatherings. Each bite brings a comforting blend of sweet, earthy sweet potato and warm spice notes.
• Nutritious Indulgence: Sweet potatoes provide a healthy twist to traditional desserts, offering a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals while still feeling like a delightful treat. The recipe balances nutritional value with decadent texture, making it a guilt-free dessert option for health-conscious food lovers.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for holiday celebrations, family gatherings, or casual weekend desserts, this pie adapts beautifully to different occasions and can be served plain or dressed up with whipped cream for extra elegance.

Key Ingredients for Sweet Potato Pie

• Sweet Potatoes: A starchy vegetable that provides the pies signature flavor and creamy texture, with rich orange color and natural sweetness.
• Pie Crust: The classic base that holds the sweet potato filling, offering a crisp and buttery foundation for the dessert.

• Eggs: Help bind the pie filling and provide structure, creating a smooth and cohesive texture.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a silky, creamy consistency in the pie filling.
• Butter: Contributes rich flavor and helps create a smooth, luxurious texture in the filling.

• Sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and balances the overall flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a deep, warm background flavor that complements the sweet potatoes.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that add depth, warmth, and traditional holiday pie flavor.

• Whipped Cream, Marshmallow Fluff: Light, sweet toppings that add extra indulgence and visual appeal to the finished pie.

How to Make the Perfect Sweet Potato Pie

Step 1: Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Scrub sweet potatoes clean. Poke multiple holes using a fork. Bake at 400°F for 45-50 minutes until fork-tender. Remove from oven and let cool. Peel off skins carefully. Lower oven temperature to 350°F.

Step 2: Create Smooth Potato Base

Mash peeled sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add melted butter and blend until completely smooth.

Step 3: Mix Flavor-Packed Ingredients

• Sugar
• Milk
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Whisk until mixture becomes creamy and fully incorporated.

Step 4: Fill Pie Crust

Pour potato mixture into an unbaked pie crust. Smooth the top evenly with a spatula.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place pie in preheated oven. Bake for approximately 1 hour. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow pie to cool to room temperature. Serve as is or add a dollop of whipped cream or marshmallow fluff for extra indulgence.

Tips for a Creamy and Fluffy Sweet Potato Pie

• Select the Right Sweet Potatoes: Choose orange-fleshed varieties like Jewel or Beauregard for the richest flavor and most vibrant color.
• Maximize Moisture Control: Bake sweet potatoes whole to prevent excess water, ensuring a thick and creamy pie filling.
• Spice Balancing Act: Freshly ground nutmeg and high-quality ground cinnamon elevate the warm, comforting flavors of the pie.
• Crust Perfection Technique: Blind bake the pie crust briefly or use a glass pie dish to prevent a soggy bottom and achieve a crisp texture.
• Cooling and Setting Strategy: Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours to help the filling set and develop deeper flavors.

Storing Leftover Sweet Potato Pie

• Refrigeration: Store leftover sweet potato pie in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Keep the pie away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate flavor.
• Freezing: Wrap the cooled pie securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve texture and taste.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the pie's crisp crust and restore its original warm, comforting flavor. Avoid microwaving, which can make the crust soggy and compromise the pie's delightful texture.

Best Pairings for Sweet Potato Pie

• Pair with Warm Cinnamon Coffee: The sweet and spicy notes of cinnamon in the pie perfectly complement a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee, creating a cozy and comforting flavor combination that enhances the pie's warm spices.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The creamy, cool vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, rich sweet potato pie, balancing the dessert's sweetness and adding a luxurious texture.
• Match with Spiced Chai Tea: The complex, aromatic spices in chai tea beautifully echo the pie's nutmeg and cinnamon undertones, creating a harmonious and indulgent dessert experience that warms both body and soul.
• Enjoy with Caramel Bourbon Sauce: A drizzle of smooth caramel bourbon sauce adds a sophisticated depth to the sweet potato pie, introducing a subtle boozy warmth that elevates the dessert's natural sweetness.

Fun Twists on Classic Sweet Potato Pie

• Pecan Paradise: Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of the pie before baking for a crunchy, nutty layer that complements the sweet potato's creamy texture.
• Bourbon Bliss: Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to the filling for a rich, warming flavor that elevates the traditional sweet potato pie.
• Maple Magic: Replace some of the sugar with pure maple syrup to create a deeper, more complex sweetness with subtle woody undertones.
• Coconut Dream: Mix shredded coconut into the filling and top the pie with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical-inspired version that adds texture and extra flavor.

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets dessert perfection in this classic sweet potato pie. Silky smooth filling nestled in a buttery crust promises a delightful journey through homestyle Southern baking that leaves you craving another slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

main ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 g) sweet potatoes (with skin)
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ½ cup (114 g) butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar

spices:

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

liquid and flavor enhancers:

• ½ cup milk, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Thoroughly wash sweet potatoes, pierce multiple times with a fork, and roast for 45-50 minutes until completely soft and easily pierced. Allow potatoes to cool, then carefully remove skins. Lower oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
2. Transfer peeled sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Crush and mash thoroughly using a potato masher or fork until completely smooth with minimal lumps.
3. Incorporate melted unsalted butter into the mashed sweet potatoes, stirring until a uniform consistency develops.
4. Gradually fold in granulated sugar, whole milk, large eggs, pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg. Whisk consistently until the mixture becomes silky and fully integrated.
5. Gently pour the prepared filling into an unbaked pie shell, using a spatula to create an even surface and eliminate air pockets.
6. Position pie in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 55-65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center – it should emerge without any wet filling.
7. Remove pie from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature for 2-3 hours, enabling the filling to set properly.
8. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Optionally garnish with lightly whipped heavy cream or marshmallow fluff for added indulgence.

Notes

• Rescue those forgotten sweet potatoes lurking in your pantry for this dreamy, comforting pie.
• Baking whole sweet potatoes intensifies their natural sugars, creating a deeper, richer flavor profile.
• Avoid overbeating the filling to keep the texture silky and prevent a dense, tough pie.
• Chill the pie crust briefly before filling to prevent a soggy bottom and maintain crisp edges.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, ensuring a creamy, lump-free sweet potato mixture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 396 kcal
• Sugar: 23g
• Sodium: 86mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 83mg