SWEET POTATO PIE
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe – Creamy, Classic & Easy
This Sweet Potato Pie is a classic Southern-inspired dessert made with creamy mashed sweet potatoes, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, vanilla, and a buttery pie crust. The filling is smooth, rich, perfectly spiced, and baked until beautifully golden.
If you're looking for an easy homemade sweet potato pie recipe that's perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinner, or any special occasion, this comforting dessert is a must-try.
Why You'll Love This Sweet Potato Pie
- Rich, creamy, and smooth filling
- Warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavor
- Easy homemade or store-bought pie crust
- Perfectly sweet without being overwhelming
- Wonderful holiday dessert
- Great for Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Can be prepared ahead of time
- Delicious served warm or chilled
What Is Sweet Potato Pie?
Sweet potato pie is a traditional American dessert made with cooked and mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, milk or cream, butter, sugar, vanilla, and warm spices.
The sweet potato creates a naturally creamy and slightly earthy filling, while cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla add the familiar cozy flavor associated with classic holiday desserts.
Ingredients
For the Pie
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Choosing the Best Sweet Potatoes
Choose sweet potatoes that are firm, smooth, and free from large soft spots.
Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes generally work especially well because they have a naturally sweet flavor and creamy texture.
For the smoothest filling, make sure the cooked sweet potatoes are thoroughly mashed before adding the remaining ingredients.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes for Pie
There are several ways to cook sweet potatoes for this recipe.
Boiling
Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into chunks. Place them in a pot of water and boil until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly and mash.
Baking
For deeper flavor, bake whole sweet potatoes at 400°F (200°C) until completely tender. Allow them to cool slightly, remove the skins, and mash the flesh.
Baking can produce a slightly sweeter and less watery sweet potato puree.
How to Make Sweet Potato Pie
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Cook the sweet potatoes until fork-tender.
Mash them until smooth. For an extra silky filling, pass the mashed sweet potatoes through a fine-mesh sieve or blend them briefly in a food processor.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
Add the eggs, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract.
Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Add the Spices
Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
Mix until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the filling.
Step 5: Fill the Pie Crust
Place the unbaked pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish if it isn't already prepared.
Pour the sweet potato filling into the crust and smooth the surface with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for approximately 50–60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
A knife inserted near the center should come out mostly clean.
Step 7: Cool
Remove the pie from the oven and place it on a wire rack.
Allow it to cool completely before slicing. The filling will continue to set as it cools.
Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Pie
Use Smooth Sweet Potato Puree
Lumps in the sweet potatoes can affect the texture of the pie. Mash them very thoroughly or use a food processor for a smoother filling.
Don't Overbake
The center should still have a slight jiggle when the pie is removed from the oven. Overbaking can result in cracks and a less creamy texture.
Let the Pie Cool Completely
Allowing the pie to cool gives the custard filling enough time to firm up.
Use Room-Temperature Ingredients
Room-temperature eggs and dairy combine more easily with the sweet potato mixture and help create a smooth filling.
How Do You Know When Sweet Potato Pie Is Done?
The edges should look set while the center should have a gentle jiggle when the pie is carefully moved.
Don't wait until the center is completely firm in the oven. The residual heat will continue cooking the filling as it cools.
How to Prevent Cracks in Sweet Potato Pie
Cracks usually occur when the pie is overbaked or cooled too quickly.
To help prevent cracking, remove the pie when the center still has a slight jiggle and allow it to cool gradually at room temperature.
Sweet Potato Pie Variations
Maple Sweet Potato Pie
Replace part of the granulated sugar with pure maple syrup for a deeper, slightly caramel-like flavor.
Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Pie
Use additional brown sugar for a richer molasses flavor.
Spiced Sweet Potato Pie
Add a small amount of ground cloves, allspice, or extra ginger for a warmer spice profile.
Sweet Potato Pecan Pie
Sprinkle chopped pecans over the filling before baking or add a simple pecan topping.
Marshmallow Sweet Potato Pie
Top the cooled pie with toasted mini marshmallows for a fun holiday-inspired variation.
Chocolate Sweet Potato Pie
Add unsweetened cocoa powder and a little melted chocolate to the filling for a rich chocolate twist.
What to Serve With Sweet Potato Pie
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Cinnamon whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Chopped pecans
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
- Hot coffee
- Black tea
Can I Make Sweet Potato Pie Ahead of Time?
Yes. Sweet potato pie is an excellent make-ahead dessert.
You can bake it a day or two before serving and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to serve.
In fact, allowing the pie to chill can make slicing easier and gives the flavors time to develop.
How to Store Sweet Potato Pie
Because this pie contains eggs and dairy, store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Can You Freeze Sweet Potato Pie?
Yes. Allow the pie to cool completely before freezing.
Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to approximately 3 months for the best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned sweet potato puree?
Yes. Canned sweet potato puree can be used as a convenient substitute for freshly cooked sweet potatoes. Make sure it is plain sweet potato puree without added sugar or spices.
Can I use pumpkin puree instead?
Yes, although the flavor and texture will be different. Pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie have similar custard-style fillings, but sweet potatoes provide a naturally sweeter and richer flavor.
Can I use a store-bought pie crust?
Absolutely. A refrigerated or frozen pie crust is a convenient option when you want to save time.
Why is my sweet potato pie watery?
Excess moisture in the cooked sweet potatoes can cause a watery filling. Baking the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them can help reduce excess moisture.
Why did my pie crack?
The most common reason is overbaking. Remove the pie while the center still has a slight jiggle.
Does sweet potato pie need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Since the filling contains eggs and dairy, leftovers should be refrigerated.
Can I serve sweet potato pie warm?
Yes. It can be served slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled. For the cleanest slices, allow it to cool completely first.
Recipe Card
Classic Sweet Potato Pie
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Category: Dessert, Pie
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook sweet potatoes until fork-tender and mash until smooth.
- Combine sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add eggs, evaporated milk, and vanilla.
- Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.
Final Thoughts
This classic Sweet Potato Pie is creamy, warmly spiced, and incredibly comforting. The naturally sweet flavor of the sweet potatoes pairs beautifully with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and buttery pie crust.
It's an especially wonderful dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinners, and family gatherings, but it's simple enough to make whenever you're craving a classic homemade pie.
Save this easy sweet potato pie recipe and make it for your next holiday dessert table!
