Sweet Southern Bliss: The Coziest Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Southern sweet potato pie represents a beloved culinary tradition steeped in comfort and nostalgia.

This delectable dessert carries generations of family memories and cultural significance.

Soft, velvety potatoes reimagine into a luscious filling that whispers of home-cooked warmth.

Warm spices dance through the creamy mixture, creating an irresistible aroma that fills kitchens with anticipation.

Rich, golden crusts cradle the smooth potato blend, promising a taste of authentic southern hospitality.

Bakers across generations have perfected this classic recipe, passing down techniques that elevate humble ingredients into something magical.

Each slice tells a story of love, tradition, and pure deliciousness.

Keeping Southern Sweetness: Sweet Potato Pie Fresh

• Refrigerate: Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to preserve the delicate flavor.
• Freeze: Wrap the entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the crust soggy and compromise the meringue's texture.

Best Served With Southern Sweetness: Sweet Potato Pie

• Savor Southern Comfort: Pair this sweet potato pie with a classic bourbon like Maker's Mark, which complements the pie's warm spices and rich sweetness.
• Creamy Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to enhance the pie's velvety texture and create a delightful temperature contrast.
• Spice Up Your Sip: Enjoy with a warm mug of cinnamon-spiced chai tea, echoing the pie's aromatic nutmeg and cinnamon notes while providing a cozy drinking experience.
• Brunch Bliss Beverage: Match with a smooth cold brew coffee or chicory coffee, typical in Southern cuisine, to balance the pie's sweetness and add a subtle bitter undertone.

Variations on Southern Sweetness: Sweet Potato Pie

• Tropical Fusion: Replace traditional spices with ginger and coconut. Incorporate crushed pineapple into the sweet potato mixture for a vibrant, island-inspired flavor profile.
• Nutty Southern Charm: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling. Create a praline-inspired topping with caramelized nuts and brown sugar sprinkled across the meringue.
• Chocolate Whisper: Mix rich dark chocolate chips into the sweet potato base. Drizzle melted chocolate over the meringue for an indulgent chocolate undertone that complements the sweet potato's natural sweetness.
• Spiced Bourbon Elegance: Add a splash of bourbon to the filling for depth. Enhance the spice blend with extra cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper, creating a complex and warming dessert experience.

Highlights of Southern Sweetness: Sweet Potato Pie

• Savor Southern Comfort: A slice of this sweet potato pie wraps you in warm, nostalgic flavors that feel like a hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Perfectly Balanced Texture Delight: The silky-smooth sweet potato filling nestled in a flaky, buttery crust creates a mouthwatering contrast that melts in your mouth.
• Spice-Infused Flavor Journey: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla dance together, transforming simple sweet potatoes into a complex, aromatic dessert that celebrates southern culinary traditions.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This pie can be prepared in stages, making it ideal for holiday gatherings or when you want to impress guests without last-minute stress.

Everything You’ll Need for Southern Sweetness: Sweet Potato Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and flakiness for a tender, crisp crust.
• Cinnamon: Adds a warm, aromatic spice note that complements sweet potatoes.
• Nutmeg: Contributes subtle earthy warmth and depth.
• White Sugar: Lends a touch of sweetness and promotes light browning.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Salted Butter: Creates rich, flaky layers and adds savory richness.
• Ice Cold Water: Binds the dough while keeping the butter cold for maximum flakiness.
• Mashed Sweet Potato: Forms the creamy, naturally sweet base of the filling.
• Salted Butter, browned: Imparts a nutty, caramel‑like richness.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, molasses‑like sweetness.
• White Sugar: Balances sweetness and improves texture.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, familiar spice.
• Ground Ginger: Adds gentle heat and aromatic complexity.
• Ground Nutmeg: Offers earthy, sweet‑spicy notes.
• Ground Cloves: Intensifies the spice profile with warm, pungent undertones.
• Evaporated Milk: Enriches the filling with creamy smoothness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances and rounds out all the flavors.
• Kosher Salt: Sharpens sweetness and amplifies the spices.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the filling and helps set the custard.
• Eggs: Bind the mixture into a silky, custard‑like texture.
• Egg Whites: Whipped to create a light, airy topping.
• Cream of Tartar (or Lemon Juice): Stabilizes the whipped egg whites and increases volume.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a rich, caramel sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses a delicate, aromatic depth.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the meringue’s flavor.

Steps to Prepare Southern Sweetness: Sweet Potato Pie

Step 1: Craft the Pie Crust

• Grab flour
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Sugar
• Salt

Toss ingredients into a food processor. Drop in chilled butter chunks and pulse until mixture looks like tiny pebbles. Drizzle ice-cold water slowly, mixing until dough comes together. Shape into a smooth disk, wrap in plastic, and chill in refrigerator for one hour.

Step 2: Transform Sweet Potatoes

• Browned butter
• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Warm spices
• Evaporated milk

Let mixture cool completely. Optional: Strain through fine-mesh sieve to remove any stringy fibers.

Step 3: Create Silky Filling

• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Fresh eggs

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Prepare Pie Crust Shell

Roll out chilled dough on floured surface. Gently place into pie pan, crimping edges decoratively. Freeze for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line crust with parchment, add pie weights. Bake for 17-20 minutes. Remove weights, continue baking until golden brown.

Step 5: Bake Pie to Perfection

Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake for 35-40 minutes until center slightly jiggles. Allow pie to cool completely.

Step 6: Finish with Fluffy Meringue

• Egg whites
• Cream of tartar

Gradually add sugar and vanilla. Whip until glossy peaks form. Pipe or spread meringue over cooled pie. Optional: Use kitchen torch to brown meringue peaks.

Serving Tip: Chill pie for two hours before serving for best texture. Enjoy your Southern Sweet Potato Pie Delight!

Key Tips for Baking Southern Sweetness: Sweet Potato Pie

• Select Sweet Potatoes Wisely: Choose firm, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes without bruises or soft spots for the most vibrant flavor and smooth texture.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Blind bake the pie crust and brush with egg wash to create a protective barrier that keeps the bottom crisp and flaky.
• Achieve Silky Filling: Always sieve the mashed sweet potatoes to remove stringy fibers, ensuring an ultra-smooth, creamy pie filling.
• Control Moisture Balance: Let sweet potatoes cool completely before mixing to prevent excess liquid and maintain the perfect pie consistency.
• Topping Technique: When making meringue, ensure egg whites are at room temperature and use clean, grease-free equipment for maximum volume and glossy peaks.

Southern Sweetness: Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern sweet potato pie embodies comfort and tradition from generations of family gatherings. Creamy spiced filling nestled in a buttery crust delivers warm memories with each delectable slice you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Pie Crust Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup (113 grams) salted butter, cut into chunks
• ¼ cup ice cold water

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (680 grams) mashed sweet potato (about 3 large sweet potatoes)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup (113 grams) salted butter, browned
• ⅓ cup evaporated milk

Spices and Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Brown Sugar Meringue:

• 3 egg whites
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar, or lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Craft a delicate pie crust by blending flour, aromatic spices, sugar, and salt in a food processor or mixing bowl.
2. Incorporate chilled butter fragments into the dry ingredients, creating a texture resembling small pebbles.
3. Introduce ice-cold water gradually, gently mixing until a rough dough emerges.
4. Form the dough into a compact disk, envelop in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for one hour to rest and firm.
5. Submerge sweet potato halves in boiling water until they yield effortlessly to a fork’s gentle pressure.
6. Transform cooked sweet potatoes into a silky puree, enriching with caramelized butter, sweeteners, warm spices, and creamy evaporated milk.
7. Strain the mixture if desired to ensure a velvety smooth consistency, then allow to cool completely.
8. Whisk in vanilla essence, a touch of flour, and eggs to create a luxurious, well-integrated filling.
9. Retrieve the chilled dough and carefully roll it out, draping it into a pie dish with elegant precision.
10. Freeze the crust briefly, then bake with ceramic weights at a high temperature until the edges turn golden and crisp.
11. Reduce oven temperature and generously pour the sweet potato filling into the pre-baked shell.
12. Bake until the filling sets with a subtle wobble, indicating perfect custard-like consistency.
13. Allow the pie to cool thoroughly, letting flavors meld and settle.
14. Prepare a cloud-like meringue by whipping egg whites with cream of tartar, gradually introducing sugar and vanilla.
15. Artfully pipe the glossy meringue atop the cooled pie, optionally caramelizing with a culinary torch for a dramatic finishing touch.

Notes

• Preserve this Southern classic by chilling the pie crust dough, which helps create flaky, tender layers.
• Sieving mashed sweet potatoes removes unwanted fibers, ensuring a silky smooth filling texture.
• Torching meringue adds a professional touch and creates beautiful caramelized peaks for visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg