Ahh, Sweet Potato Pie, the beloved Southern dessert and a favorite holiday treat.
What makes Sweet Potato Pie so special?
It’s not just a dessert; it is a symbol of cultural resistance with deep roots in African American culinary tradition. Cherished in the South and loved by many. It frequently appears at family gatherings, holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, church dinners, and community celebrations.
Sweet potato pie is rich in flavor, created with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. And so creamy, it could melt in your mouth when made right. What makes it different from pumpkin pie? It’s sweeter, denser, and more flavorful.
Where does Sweet Potato Pie come from?
Sweet potatoes were cheap, plentiful, and nutritious until the early 19th century, and because of this, they became a staple meal among slaves and poor white families. African American cooks worked in plantation kitchens and developed sweet potato pie, similar to pumpkin pie. That is the history of sweet potato pie and how it became a soul food dessert.
What Ingredients do you need?
You need a couple of ingredients to make this delicious pie:
- Pie Crust – Make your own for authentic, buttery deliciousness, or you can certainly opt for a store-bought pie crust if you prefer.
- Sweet Potatoes – Look for firm sweet potatoes with no blemishes or cracks.
- Unsalted Butter
- Sugar – Granulated and Brown sugar for a delicious and perfectly sweet taste.
- Eggs
- Evaporated Milk
- Vanilla Extract – I prefer vanilla bean paste for extra flavor, but vanilla extract works well too.
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt – Brings out the flavor of the pie.
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How do I make this pie from start to finish?
- Pierce the Sweet Potato with a fork and bake for 45-60 minutes at 375°F.
- Peel and in a blender, combine the sweet potatoes with butter and sugar. Blend until Smooth
- Mix the Sweet potato mixture, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and spices in a bowl.
- Use store-bought pie crust and place it in a 9-inch pie dish.
- Pour the filling into the pie crust.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes at 350°F.
Common mistakes to avoid
Here are some common mistakes people make, including myself, and how to avoid them.
- Don’t skip washing and drying your sweet potatoes before baking them; there may be dirt that needs to be removed.
- Do not boil your sweet potatoes; rather, bake them. It caramelizes and intensifies them, deepening the flavor and making it sweeter.
- Use evaporated milk over regular milk; using regular milk will significantly alter the texture of the recipe.
- Overbaking your pie continues to cook and tighten the custard, eventually cracking down the center, which means its gone too far. To avoid it, watch the center; the edges should be set, but the center should be jiggly.
- If the crust starts browning too fast, use foil to cover the edges halfway through baking.
What goes well with Sweet Potato Pie?
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Pair with Iced Chai Tea Latte
- Whipped Cream
Serve Hot or Cold.
FAQ Section
How long does a Sweet Potato last in the fridge?
It lasts up to 4 days in the fridge when stored properly.
Can I freeze sweet potato pie?
Yes, cut it into pieces and cover it in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze it up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.
Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Equipment
- 1 9 inch pie dish
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Blender
- Measuring Cups
- 1 Rubber Spatula or spoon
Ingredients
- 1 Store bought pie crust
- 2 Large Sweet Potatoes
- 1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter Softened
- 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 Can Evaporated Milk 12oz
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 Tsp Nutmeg
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375'F
- Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for about 45-60 minutes or until they are soft.
- Let the sweet potatoes cool, then peel and discard the skin.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- In a blender, combine the baked sweet potatoes, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Blend until smooth
- In a mixing bowl, add the sweet potato mixture, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix until well combined
- Use the store-bought pie crust and place it in a 9-inch pie dish.
- Pour the sweet potato filling into the pie crust.
- Place the pie in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes or until the center is set.
- Allow the pie to cool completely before serving.
- Optionally, add vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top.
