Creamy Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Best Homemade Sweet Potato Pie Recipe: Cozy Family Favorite

Southern kitchens buzz with excitement when a sweet potato pie recipe hits the table, promising pure comfort in every delectable slice.

Rich, velvety sweet potatoes blend seamlessly with warm spices that dance across your palate.

Generations of cooks have perfected this classic dessert, turning simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Buttery pie crust cradles the smooth, custardy filling that speaks of home and tradition.

Thanksgiving gatherings and Sunday suppers come alive with this beloved Southern treat.

The aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to savor each heavenly bite.

Let’s find out this treasured recipe and create a dessert that connects you to generations of loving home cooks.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Calories: 283 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients List for Sweet Potato Pie

For Sweet Potatoes and Fats:
  • Sweet Potatoes: Orange-fleshed varieties offer the richest flavor and vibrant color, selecting firm potatoes without bruises ensures a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Butter: Softened butter blends seamlessly, creating a luxurious and velvety pie filling with rich, traditional taste.
For Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides balanced sweetness and helps create a silky smooth custard-like consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth that complements the sweet potato's natural sweetness.
  • Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that elevate the pie's complex flavor profile, enhancing the sweet potato's natural earthiness.
For Binding and Moisture:
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a creamy, tender filling with a light, soft texture.
  • Eggs: Act as crucial binding agents, providing structure and helping the filling set perfectly during baking.

Equipment Required for Sweet Potato Pie

  • Large Baking Sheet: Supports sweet potatoes during initial roasting.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for mashing potatoes and combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Fork: Essential for pricking sweet potatoes and initial mixing.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
  • Whisk or Wooden Spoon: Helps blend filling ingredients evenly.
  • 9-inch Pie Dish: Holds the pie crust and filling.
  • Potato Masher or Whisk: Creates smooth sweet potato texture.
  • Toothpick: Checks pie doneness by testing center.
  • Cooling Rack: Allows pie to cool evenly after baking.
  • Sharp Knife: Helps peel sweet potatoes after roasting.

Easy Method to Make Sweet Potato Pie

  • Sweet Potato Preparation

Grab some fresh sweet potatoes and give them a good scrub. Poke tiny holes all over with a fork, then pop them in a hot oven until they’re super soft and easily pierced. Once cool, peel away the skin to reveal the tender orange flesh.

  • Mixing Magic

Crush those sweet potatoes into a silky smooth mixture. Blend in creamy butter until it’s perfectly combined. Stir in a sweet symphony of sugar, milk, farm-fresh eggs, and warm spices that’ll make your kitchen smell like a cozy autumn day.

  • Pie Crust Adventure

Grab a beautiful pie crust and gently pour in your dreamy sweet potato filling. Smooth the top so it looks absolutely perfect and inviting.

  • Baking Bliss

Slide the pie into the oven and let the magic happen. Watch for a golden surface and a center that’s set just right. The whole house will fill with an incredible aroma that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

  • Serving Delight

Once cooled, slice into this heavenly creation. Top with a cloud of whipped cream or a sprinkle of marshmallow if you’re feeling extra indulgent. Each bite is a celebration of comfort and flavor.

Helpful Hints for Better Sweet Potato Pie

  • Mastering Sweet Potato Pie Perfection
  • Roast sweet potatoes at high heat to caramelize natural sugars and enhance their rich, deep flavor profile before creating the pie filling.
  • Use a potato ricer or food processor for ultra-smooth sweet potato puree, eliminating any lumpy inconsistencies in your pie's silky texture.
  • Experiment with ground ginger, cardamom, or allspice to complement the classic cinnamon and nutmeg for a more complex and vibrant taste experience.
  • Prepare the sweet potato filling a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before baking for maximum deliciousness.
  • Replace traditional whipped cream with a sprinkle of toasted pecans, a drizzle of bourbon caramel, or a dusting of graham cracker crumbs for an unexpected and delightful twist.

Best Ways to Serve Sweet Potato Pie

  • Cozy Comfort Companion: Serve this warm sweet potato pie alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai tea or rich coffee to enhance the dessert's comforting autumn flavors.
  • Festive Holiday Presentation: Garnish each slice with a delicate sprinkle of ground cinnamon, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, and a few toasted pecan halves for an elegant touch during thanksgiving or winter gatherings.
  • Decadent Dessert Pairing: Create a delightful flavor contrast by serving the pie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce, which complements the pie's warm spices and creamy texture.
  • Brunch Entertaining Idea: Cut the pie into smaller squares and arrange on a beautiful wooden board with additional toppings like candied nuts, a light dusting of powdered sugar, and fresh mint leaves for a stunning brunch centerpiece.

Storage Ideas for Leftover Sweet Potato Pie

  • Slice and Savor Strategy: Cut pie into neat wedges and store individual portions in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent flavor mixing.
  • Cooling Comfort Zone: Allow pie to reach room temperature before refrigerating, which prevents condensation and keeps the crust crisp and texture perfect.
  • Fridge Life Extension: Safely store sweet potato pie in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, covering loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  • Freezing Magic: Wrap the entire pie or slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring a delightful dessert is always within reach for unexpected sweet cravings.
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Creamy Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Creamy Sweet Potato Pie Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Grandma’s classic sweet potato pie blends Southern comfort with rich, creamy flavors. Warm spices and buttery crust invite you to savor each delightful, homemade slice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) sweet potatoes (with skin)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup (114 g) butter (softened)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup milk (room temperature)
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Roasting Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash sweet potatoes, puncture with fork, and roast for 45-50 minutes until tender. Cool completely, then peel. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Preparing Filling: Mash sweet potatoes until velvety smooth. Blend in melted butter, creating a uniform texture. Whisk in granulated sugar, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg until mixture becomes silky and homogeneous.
  3. Assembling Pie: Pour filling into unbaked pie shell, smoothing surface with spatula to eliminate air pockets and ensure even distribution.
  4. Baking Process: Bake in preheated oven for 55-65 minutes. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick into center – it should emerge clean without wet filling residue.
  5. Cooling and Serving: Allow pie to cool at room temperature for 2-3 hours, enabling filling to set completely. Serve chilled or at room temperature, optionally garnishing with whipped heavy cream or marshmallow fluff for an elegant touch.

Notes

  • Roast Potatoes Perfectly: Pierce sweet potatoes multiple times to prevent bursting and ensure even cooking, which helps develop deeper, richer flavor profiles.
  • Achieve Smooth Texture: Thoroughly mash sweet potatoes without lumps for a silky, creamy pie filling that melts in your mouth.
  • Prevent Soggy Crust: Let pie cool completely at room temperature to allow filling to set properly and maintain a crisp, flaky bottom crust.
  • Temperature Matters: Lower oven temperature after initial roasting to prevent burning and ensure even, gentle baking of the delicate pie filling.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 283
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 71 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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