Name: Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 45 min
Total time: 2 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 medium (390 g) sweet potatoes, baked; 1/2 cup (113 g) butter; 1 cup (198 g) granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons (9 g) vanilla extract; 2 large (100 g) eggs, beaten; 1/2 cup (114 g) milk (whole or evaporated); 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust; Whipped cream; Marshmallow fluff

There’s something irresistibly comforting about a classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe that just feels like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re nostalgic for those family holiday dinners or craving a homemade dessert that’s both rich and subtly spiced, this Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe hits all the marks. I’ve fine-tuned it over the years, and I can honestly say it’s my go-to for sharing with friends – you’ll find that each slice melts in your mouth with creamy sweetness and just the right texture. Stick with me here, because I’m about to spill all my secrets for making the perfect pie from start to finish.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Authentic Southern Flavor: This recipe captures that perfectly smooth, sweet, and buttery taste that Southern sweet potato pies are known for.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need in your pantry already, making it easy to whip up whenever the mood strikes.
Easy to Customize: Whether you like it extra sweet or prefer adding your own spice twist, this recipe welcomes your personal touch.
Crowd-Pleaser: Every time I serve this pie, friends and family ask for seconds – it’s a guaranteed hit.

A close-up view of a pie with two main layers: the bottom layer is a light beige crust with a slightly cracked, soft texture and a crimped edge that curves upward, forming the pie's border; the top layer is a smooth, glossy, orange-brown filling that evenly covers the crust and has a slightly uneven surface. The pie sits on a round white plate decorated with small round bumps along the rim, placed against a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe lies in its straightforward, wholesome ingredients that blend beautifully to create a silky-smooth, luxuriously sweet filling. Cooking your own sweet potatoes is key — it brings out the natural sugar and keeps the texture just right. Let me walk you through the essentials.

Sweet potatoes: Baking them whole unlocks their natural sweetness and ensures a creamy texture that’s perfect for pie filling.
Butter: Adds richness and a velvety mouthfeel; I always use unsalted to control the salt level.
Granulated sugar: For that classic sweet potato pie sweetness — though you can swap in brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
Eggs: These help set the filling, giving it a custardy finish that slices cleanly.
Milk: Whole milk or evaporated milk both work beautifully to keep the filling moist and luscious.
Pie crust: I prefer a 9-inch unbaked pie crust — homemade if you can swing it, but store-bought works just fine too.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you’re tweaking the sweetness or introducing new flavors, this pie bends with your fancy without losing that soulful Southern charm.

Brown Sugar Twist: I sometimes swap half of the granulated sugar for brown sugar, which adds a lovely molasses flavor — my family can’t get enough of it.
Spiced Up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a little ginger can make it taste even cozier, especially in fall and winter.
Milk Alternatives: Using evaporated milk instead of whole milk adds a creamier texture and deeper flavor if that’s what you prefer.
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute butter for coconut oil and use almond or oat milk — the texture changes a bit but it still tastes amazing.

How to Make Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Sweet Potatoes to Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 400º F. Scrub your sweet potatoes clean and poke them 4 to 5 times with a fork to let steam escape. Pop them right on a baking sheet, no need to wrap — the dry heat caramelizes and intensifies the sweetness. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes until they’re tender when you pierce them with a toothpick. Once done, let them cool just enough to handle comfortably, then peel off the skins. Trust me, baking your own sweet potatoes instead of canned or mashed sweet potato makes all the difference in flavor and texture.

Step 2: Whip Up That Silky Filling

Place your peeled sweet potatoes in a large bowl and mash them with butter until smooth — this step is where the richness starts building. Next, stir in the sugar until fully combined, then add your vanilla extract, milk, and beaten eggs. Mix everything thoroughly so the filling is velvety and even. If you want your pie extra smooth, you can use a hand mixer for a minute or two, but I actually like a little texture in mine — it feels more homemade.

Step 3: Pour and Bake Your Pie

Lower your oven temperature to 350º F. Pour the sweet potato filling into your unbaked pie crust — don’t overfill it to avoid spills. Bake for about 1 hour, or until the center feels just set but still has a little wobble (it’ll firm up as it cools). You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick in the middle comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Let the pie cool slightly before slicing; it helps the filling to firm up perfectly.

Step 4: Serving It Up

You can serve this pie warm or at room temperature. I love topping it with a generous dollop of whipped cream — it’s classic and indulgent. For a fun twist, try marshmallow fluff for that nostalgic, toasty-sweet vibe. Either way, it’s pure comfort in every bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Bake Sweet Potatoes Whole: This avoids soggy, watery filling and brings out the sweetest flavors in the potatoes.
Don’t Overmix the Filling: Mix just until combined so the texture stays nice — overmixing can make it too dense.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and milk at room temp blend more smoothly creating a luxuriously creamy pie filling.
Watch Your Bake Time: Check the pie a few minutes before time’s up to avoid overbaking, which can dry out the pie.

How to Serve Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

A slice of pie sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The pie has three layers: a bottom crust that is light beige and slightly crumbly, a thick middle layer of orange filling with a moist and slightly porous texture, and a top layer of golden brown toast-like topping with some white fluffy parts showing along the edge. Next to the pie slice is a silver fork. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m partial to a classic cloud of freshly whipped cream because it adds just the right lightness to each decadent bite. For a Southern twist, marshmallow fluff is amazing – it gives a creamy sweetness that’s reminiscent of those beloved supreme sweet potato casseroles. Freshly toasted pecans sprinkled on top also add a lovely crunch if you want some texture contrast.

Side Dishes

This pie can be dessert all on its own, but when I’m serving it as part of a meal, I love pairing it with savory staples like collard greens or glazed ham. It balances out the meal perfectly. For a casual get-together, you can’t go wrong with a glass of cold milk or a spiced chai latte alongside a slice.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I sometimes make mini sweet potato pies in ramekins for personal servings — it’s charming and makes everyone feel special. Another fun idea is to swirl a little caramel sauce on top after baking or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before serving for an elegant touch. It’s these little accents that always get compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your Southern Sweet Potato Pie, wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. The pie stays delicious for up to 4 days. I find the flavor actually deepens overnight, so feel free to slice and save some for the next day.

Freezing

If you want to freeze the pie, make sure it’s completely cooled. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil or use a freezer-safe container. It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. When I’ve done this, the texture stays creamy and smooth once thawed.

Reheating

To reheat slices, I recommend warming them gently in a low oven (about 275ºF) for 10-15 minutes so the filling doesn’t dry out. You can also microwave on low power for about 30 seconds if you’re in a hurry, but oven reheating retains the texture best. Add fresh whipped cream to revive that glowy dessert feel.

FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe?

While canned sweet potatoes are convenient, I’ve found that baking your own fresh sweet potatoes yields a much better texture and depth of flavor. The natural sweetness intensifies, and the filling becomes silkier compared to the sometimes watery canned variety.
How do I prevent my pie crust from getting soggy?

To avoid a soggy crust, make sure to bake the pie at the right temperature and don’t overfill the crust. Also, baking your sweet potatoes whole reduces moisture in the filling, which helps keep the crust crisp. Some folks like to blind bake the crust for a few minutes before filling, but I’ve found it’s not necessary if you follow the recipe steps.
Can I make this Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe vegan?

You can make substitutions like using a plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) in place of eggs. You’ll also want to swap out the milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk. Just keep an eye on the consistency of the filling — it might be a touch softer but still delicious.
What’s the best way to tell when the pie is done baking?

Look for a filling that’s set around the edges and mostly firm in the center, but still slightly wobbly. It should not be liquid or overly jiggly. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. The pie finishes setting as it cools.

Final Thoughts

This Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen and heart — every time I make it, it feels like I’m sharing a piece of home, tradition, and love with everyone at the table. If you try this recipe, you’re not just baking a pie; you’re creating memories and joyful moments. I can’t wait for you to taste just how luscious and comforting this pie truly is. Trust me, once you’ve made it, you’ll want to bring it out for every festive occasion and maybe even for an everyday treat!