Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

This Southern Sweet Potato Pie recipe has been a staple at our family’s holiday celebrations for years. Sweet Potato Pie is similar to Pumpkin Pie but so much better. It’s made with fresh sweet potatoes and a delicate blend of spices that are perfect for the season.

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Are you ready to be crowned the queen of holiday baking with the most delicious Southern sweet potato pie?

Look no further, we’ve got you covered!

Making the perfect pie can be a daunting task, but fear not.

In this post, we’ll share expert tips and tricks to ensure that your sweet potato pie is the star of the show.

You’ll learn how to select the right sweet potatoes, why less is more when it comes to spices, and the age-old debate of to top or not to top.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a fail-proof recipe that will have your loved ones begging for more.

So, grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s get started on making the most delicious Southern sweet potato pie!

But first, let me tell you where this recipe came from.

My grandmother was a wonderful baker and this is her recipe for Sweet Potato Pie.

It’s in the church cookbook so that should be a sign about just how good this pie is.

Bakers only put their best recipes in the church cookbook.

Disclosure – I may get a small commission for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.

My sister, Heather, and I have many fond memories of Sweet Potato Pie from our childhood, but it has to be juuuuuuust right.

We have had this pie at Thanksgiving year after year, and it’s one of our favorites.

We never have pumpkin pie, but we have sweet potato pie every single year.

This recipe is the right one so I’m posting this recipe for Heather!

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

With all the variations of sweet potato pie out there, you might wonder why this Southern sweet potato pie recipe is worth your while.

Well, for starters, it’s incredibly easy to make.

You don’t need any fancy equipment or complicated instructions.

Just mix the ingredients together, bake, and voila – a delicious pie that will have your taste buds singing.

But what really sets this recipe apart is its perfect balance of flavors.

The sweet potatoes are the star of the show, but they’re complemented by just the right amount of spices.

The result is a pie that’s not too sweet, not too spicy, but just right.

And let’s not forget about the texture.

This Southern sweet potato pie is silky smooth and creamy, with a filling that practically melts in your mouth.

It’s the kind of dessert that you’ll want to savor slowly, enjoying every single bite.

So, whether you’re a sweet potato pie aficionado or a newbie to this classic Southern dish, you’re sure to love this recipe.

It’s easy to make, perfectly balanced, and oh-so-delicious.

Give it a try and see for yourself why it’s worth adding to your dessert repertoire.

😋 Selecting the Right Sweet Potatoes

When it comes to making the perfect Southern sweet potato pie, selecting the right sweet potatoes is key.

Not all sweet potatoes are created equal, and choosing the wrong ones can make or break your pie.

Here are some tips to help you select the perfect sweet potatoes for your pie:

First, look for sweet potatoes that have a deep orange color.

This indicates that they are high in beta-carotene, which not only gives the potatoes their vibrant color but also adds a slightly sweet flavor to your pie.

Second, make sure to choose sweet potatoes that are firm to the touch.

Avoid any that are soft or have bruises, as these may be overripe and have a mushy texture that won’t hold up well in your pie.

Finally, consider the size of the sweet potatoes.

Medium-sized sweet potatoes are ideal for making a pie, as they are easier to peel and slice than larger ones, and they cook more evenly.

By selecting the right sweet potatoes, you’ll ensure that your pie has the perfect flavor, texture, and appearance.

So take your time when choosing your sweet potatoes, and enjoy the delicious results!

🔑 Key to Success #1 – Sweet Potato is the Star

The star of this Sweet Potato Pie recipe is a large sweet potato that has been peeled and boiled until soft.

Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin, then cut the sweet potatoes into about 1-inch cubes.

Cutting the sweet potatoes into small cubes will help them cook more quickly so that you can get on with your pie-making.

Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water.

Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

Then allow it to simmer for up to an hour until the sweet potatoes are soft.

You will know that the sweet potatoes are done if you can poke one with a fork and it breaks apart.

You’ll want about a cup of mashed sweet potatoes.

You can use one large sweet potato or a couple of smaller sweet potatoes.

If your sweet potatoes make a little more than a cup of mashed sweet potato, it’s okay to go ahead and put it in.

A little extra sweet potato never hurt anybody.

🔑 Key to Success #2 – Light On The Spices

We’ll go light on the spices in this pie so that the sweet potato can really shine.

We want the spices to complement the sweet potato and not overpower it.

So we’ll use 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

And don’t skip the vanilla.

Vanilla adds a wonderful flavor and richness to this Sweet Potato Pie.

Mix the spices in with the sugar and butter to create a delicious pie.

Check the recipe for how to make it with reduced sugar and butter for a healthier pie option.

Some sweet potatoes are sweeter than others so you may need to adjust the sugar a bit.

Use real butter though.

If you’re using hot sweet potatoes, you can use softened butter.

The butter will melt when you put it in with the sweet potatoes.

Otherwise, use melted butter in this recipe.

This recipe is exactly how we make it and it does not disappoint.

🔑 Key to Success #3 – To Top or Not to Top

We usually don’t top our Sweet Potato Pie with anything but you can definitely top it with some sweetened whipped cream if you’d like.

Cinnamon whipped cream would also be excellent on this pie.

Or even ice cream would be a delicious choice.

Whatever you top it with, this Southern Sweet Potato Pie will be a great addition to your holiday table.

We store this pie at room temperature in a plastic pie carrier.

You can store the pie pan in the refrigerator if you would prefer.

If you’re looking for a sweet potato casserole recipe, we have a great one!

We put rows of marshmallows and rows of crunchy pecan topping so that everybody gets what they want.

So fancy looking too.

❓ FAQ

How do you know when your potato pie is done?

You know that a sweet potato pie is fully cooked when the filling is set in the center. 

One way to test this is to gently shake the pie dish – if the filling wobbles, it needs more time in the oven. 

Additionally, the edges of the crust should be golden brown and the filling should be puffed slightly for a perfectly baked sweet potato pie. 

It’s important to ensure that the pie is adequately cooled before cutting into it to prevent the filling from being runny.

Does sweet potato pie freeze well?

Sweet potato pie filling can be stored in the freezer for up to two months without losing its taste and quality. 

Freezing the entire fully cooked pie is not recommended because the traditional pie crust may get soggy when thawed.

📌 Get the Printable Recipe for Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Save this Sweet Potato pie to your favorite Sweet Potato Recipes board or your Perfect Pies board.

Classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie

This classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. It's easy to put together and just takes time to bake up beautiful and golden brown. 

4.50 from 157 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 slices

Calories: 405kcal

Author: Jennifer

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Ingredients

• 1 unbaked pie crust
• 1 lb sweet potato mashed
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
• In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, blend together sweet potato, sugar, butter, and milk until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, making sure they are mixed thoroughly. Mix in vanilla extract, nutmeg, and vanilla. Mix in vanilla extract, nutmeg, and vanilla.
• Pour filling into unbaked pie crust. Bake uncovered for 55-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Notes

Salted butter or unsalted butter will work in this easy recipe. I use salted butter.

A homemade pie crust or a store-bought pie crust may be used in this recipe. If using a frozen crust, be sure to allow it to thaw before adding your filling. 

The original Southern recipe made two sweet potato pies, but I've modified the ingredients to make one pie. Feel free to double the recipe to make two pies.

Diabetic Substitutions:

• Reduce sugar to 1/2 cup
• Reduce butter to 1/4 cup

Equipment

• KitchenAid KHMB732VB Cordless Hand Mixer, 7 Speed, Blue Velvet
• Fiesta Cobalt 487 10-Inch Pie Baker
• Luxtrip 2 Pack Pie Crust Shield Silicone Pie Protectors Adjustable Silicone Pie Crust Shield Fit 8″ to 10″ Diameter Pies,Red
• Cake Keeper

Nutrition

Serving: 1grams | Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 254mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g

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