Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich Flavor: The combination of sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and spices results in a deeply flavorful filling.
- Perfect Texture: Baking the sweet potatoes ensures a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Homemade Crust: The buttery, flaky crust complements the luscious filling perfectly.
- Customizable: Optional additions like bourbon, rum, or orange zest allow you to tailor the pie to your taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Sweet potatoes
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Ice water
- Brown sugar (light or dark)
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Ground ginger
- Freshly grated nutmeg
- Heavy cream
- Optional: bourbon or rum, and/or orange zest
Directions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet, pierce them with a fork, and bake for about 40 minutes, or until tender. Once cooled, remove the skins and slice the potatoes.
- Make the Pie Crust:
- In a food processor, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water while pulsing until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, form it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and freeze for 15–20 minutes.
- Roll Out the Dough:
- On a floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Transfer it to a pie dish, trim the edges, and shape as desired.
- To blind bake, line the crust with parchment paper, fill with pie weights or dried beans, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a food processor, combine the cooked sweet potato slices, brown sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, egg yolk, ground ginger, freshly grated nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and heavy cream.
- For added depth of flavor, you can optionally add bourbon or rum, and/or orange zest.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the filling into the pre-baked pie crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Optionally, brush the edges of the crust with an egg wash made from one egg and a tablespoon of cream or milk.
- Cover the edges with foil to prevent over-browning.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes. The center should still jiggle slightly but will set as it cools.
- Serve: Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
- Preparation Time: About 30 minutes.
- Cooking Time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including baking and cooling times.
Variations
- Spice Mix: Experiment with different spices such as allspice or cloves to suit your taste.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sugar to make the pie more or less sweet.
- Crust Options: Use a graham cracker crust for a different texture and flavor.
- Toppings: Top with toasted pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce for added indulgence.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place slices in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual slices for 20–30 seconds until warmed through.
FAQs
What is the origin of sweet potato pie?
Sweet potato pie is a traditional dessert in the Southern United States, often associated with African American cuisine and commonly served during the holiday season.
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh ones?
Yes, canned sweet potatoes can be used as a substitute. Ensure they are well-drained and mashed before incorporating into the filling.
How do I know when the pie is done baking?
The pie is done when the edges are set, and the center has a slight jiggle. It will continue to firm up as it cools.
Can I make the pie crust ahead of time?
Absolutely. The pie crust can be prepared in advance
Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet Potato Pie is a classic Southern dessert that combines the creamy sweetness of baked sweet potatoes with warm spices, all nestled in a buttery, flaky crust. Perfect for holidays or family gatherings, this comforting pie is an easy-to-make treat that can be customized with bourbon, rum, or a touch of orange zest for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Ice water
- Brown sugar (light or dark)
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Ground ginger
- Freshly grated nutmeg
- Heavy cream
- Optional: Bourbon, rum, or orange zest
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet, pierce with a fork, and bake for 40 minutes or until tender.
- Once cooled, remove skins and slice.
- Make the Pie Crust:
- In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add cold butter and pulse until crumbly. Gradually add ice water until the dough forms.
- Shape into a disk, wrap, and freeze for 15–20 minutes.
- Roll and Pre-Bake the Crust:
- Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness, transfer to a pie dish, and trim edges.
- Blind bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes with parchment paper and pie weights.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Blend sweet potatoes, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs, spices, and cream until smooth. Add bourbon, rum, or orange zest if desired.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour filling into the crust, smooth the top, and optionally brush crust edges with egg wash.
- Cover edges with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes until the center jiggles slightly.
- Cool and Serve:
- Cool completely before slicing. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Pie crust can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer.
- Variations: Experiment with spices, sweetness, or toppings like caramel sauce or toasted pecans.
