Ina Garten’s Dreamy Sweet Potato Pie Recipe for Cozy Nights

Sweet potato pie traces its roots deep in culinary comfort, representing a classic dessert that warms hearts and delights taste buds.

Rich, velvety textures promise a memorable experience for anyone craving something sweet and nostalgic.

Creamy mashed sweet potatoes create a luxurious base that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Warm spices dance through each delectable slice, offering complex layers of flavor that feel both familiar and exciting.

Traditional Southern kitchens have long celebrated this remarkable dessert as a symbol of hospitality and love.

Seasonal gatherings become magical moments when this pie arrives at the table, filling the room with irresistible aromas.

Subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg elevate this dessert from simple to sublime, making every bite a celebration: gather your ingredients and prepare for deliciousness.

Why Sweet Potato Pie Hits the Spot

• Effortless Comfort Cooking: This sweet potato pie recipe offers a simple, stress-free baking experience that even novice bakers can master with confidence.
• Warm Spice Symphony: The combination of nutmeg and cinnamon creates a cozy, aromatic flavor profile that wraps you in nostalgic, comforting warmth perfect for fall gatherings and holiday celebrations.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Adaptable for multiple occasions from family dinners to potlucks, this pie transforms a humble sweet potato into a crowd-pleasing dessert that's both rustic and elegant.
• Nutrient-Packed Sweet Treat: Sweet potatoes bring a nutritional boost to this dessert, offering vitamins and minerals while delivering a creamy, indulgent texture that feels totally decadent.

Key Ingredients for Sweet Potato Pie

• Pie Crust: Flaky and buttery base for the sweet potato filling, store-bought or homemade crust works well.

• Sweet Potato: Fresh, orange-fleshed potato with rich, creamy texture and natural sweetness, select firm and smooth potatoes without blemishes.

• Butter, Milk, Eggs: Provide rich, creamy texture and help bind the pie filling together, use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing.

• Sugar, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Vanilla: Add depth of flavor, warmth, and sweetness to the pie, use freshly ground spices for more intense aroma.

Pie-Making Directions with a Southern Spin

Step 1: Boil Sweet Potato

Place whole sweet potato in a large pot of water. Simmer for 40-50 minutes until tender. Potato should be soft when pierced with a fork.

Step 2: Prepare Oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure oven rack is positioned in the center.

Step 3: Prepare Sweet Potato

Drain the boiled sweet potato and rinse under cold water. Carefully peel off the skin and discard. Let potato cool slightly.

Step 4: Create Creamy Base

Place sweet potato flesh in a mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Add Flavor Enhancers

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Whole milk
• Large eggs
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cinnamon
• Pure vanilla extract

Beat mixture until completely smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Fill Pie Crust

Pour the sweet potato mixture into an unbaked pie shell. Spread evenly using a spatula.

Step 7: Bake Pie

Place pie in preheated oven. Bake for 55-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a knife into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool And Serve

Remove pie from oven. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and serve at room temperature. Optional: Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Sweet Potato Pie Tips for Success

• Pick Premium Potatoes: Select medium-sized sweet potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin and no soft spots for the most flavorful and consistent pie filling.
• Master Mashing Technique: Use a potato ricer or food mill to create ultra-smooth potato puree, eliminating any lumps and ensuring a silky-smooth texture in your pie.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the filling for a rich, complex taste that elevates the traditional sweet potato pie profile.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Blind-bake the pie crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling to create a crisp, golden base that stays perfectly flaky.
• Spice Smart: Toast your ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger briefly in a dry skillet before adding to the mixture to intensify their aromatic qualities and bring out deeper, more robust flavors.

Storage Tricks for Keeping It Smooth

• Refrigerator Method: Protect your sweet potato pie's delectable flavor by placing it in a sealed container with an airtight lid. Cover the pie completely to prevent moisture loss and absorb unwanted refrigerator odors, keeping each slice as delicious as when first baked.
• Freezer Method: Lock in freshness by carefully wrapping the entire pie or individual slices in multiple layers of protection. First, use plastic wrap to create a tight seal around the pie, then add a layer of aluminum foil for extra insulation against freezer burn. Slide the wrapped pie into a heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Counter Method: For short-term storage during gatherings or within 24 hours of baking, leave the pie at room temperature.

Unexpected Twists on a Classic

• Rustic Spiced Pumpkin Swap: Replace sweet potato with roasted pumpkin puree and increase warm spices like ginger and cloves for a seasonal autumn flavor profile.
• Tropical Coconut Dream: Incorporate coconut milk instead of regular milk and add shredded coconut to the filling for a creamy Caribbean-inspired dessert experience.
• Bourbon Pecan Infusion: Mix in a splash of bourbon whiskey and sprinkle chopped pecans on top before baking to create a rich, nutty Southern-style sweet potato pie with complex depth.
• Citrus Zest Brightener: Add orange and lemon zest to the filling for a bright, refreshing undertone that cuts through the pie's richness and provides a subtle tangy contrast.

Sweet Pie Send-Off

Southern comfort nestles within Ina Garten’s sweet potato pie, where classic ingredients dance together in delightful harmony.

Kitchen magic emerges through simple techniques that elevate humble sweet potatoes into a memorable dessert.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg whisper nostalgic memories of family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

Creamy texture and rich flavors create an irresistible slice of culinary perfection that connects generations through shared experiences.

Home bakers can easily master this delectable recipe with straightforward steps and minimal ingredients.

Passionate cooks, your sweet potato pie adventure awaits – share this recipe, sprinkle comments below, and spread deliciousness across social media networks with enthusiasm!

Ina Garten Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s sweet potato pie delivers classic Southern comfort with silky smooth elegance. Warm spices and creamy filling nestle into a buttery crust, promising a delectable dessert that will transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (454 grams / 1 pound) sweet potato, with skin
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup white sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spices and Crust:

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

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Instructions

1. Submerge the whole sweet potato in a pot of water and simmer for 40 to 50 minutes until it becomes tender and easily pierced with a fork.
2. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing it for the pie baking process.
3. Drain the boiled sweet potato and rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process and make handling easier.
4. Carefully remove the potato skin, discarding it, and transfer the soft, cooked flesh into a large mixing bowl.
5. Using an electric mixer, cream the sweet potato flesh with of softened butter until smooth and free of lumps.
6. Gradually incorporate of granulated sugar, of whole milk, 2 large eggs, of ground nutmeg, of ground cinnamon, and of pure vanilla extract.
7. Beat the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are completely integrated and the texture becomes uniformly creamy.
8. Gently pour the sweet potato filling into an unbaked pie crust, ensuring an even distribution.
9. Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, checking for doneness by inserting a knife into the center – it should come out clean.
10. Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Pick potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin to guarantee the best flavor and texture for your pie.
• Boiling helps soften the sweet potato while preserving its natural sugars and nutrients during preparation.
• Cooking time varies depending on the potato’s size, so test tenderness by gently inserting a fork into the center.
• Cooling the boiled sweet potato completely prevents excess moisture from making your pie filling soggy.
• Gentle handling prevents bruising and maintains the potato’s delicate structure during the cooking process.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg