Oh, my goodness, if there’s one dessert that just screams “holiday comfort” to me, it’s a classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie. Seriously, it’s the absolute star of any Thanksgiving table, and honestly, it’s just as welcome at Christmas or any other gathering where delicious food is involved. There’s just something about that perfectly flaky crust hugging a creamy, spiced sweet potato filling that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. My grandma used to make the best one, and I swear, the smell of it baking would fill the whole house, making everyone gather in the kitchen just to get a peek. It’s more than just a pie; it’s a memory baked into every slice, a true taste of home that never disappoints. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to holiday delight, too!
Why You’ll Love This Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Seriously, this pie is a total winner! Here’s why you’ll want to make it ASAP:
- Super Easy to Make: Even if you’re new to baking, you can whip this up in a flash.
- Incredible Flavor: It’s got that perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and warm spices.
- Holiday Perfect: It’s the ultimate dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion.
- Crowd Pleaser: Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, loves a good sweet potato pie!
Ingredients for the Perfect Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! These are the things you’ll need to make this pie absolutely sing:
- 1 (15 ounce) can sweet potatoes, mashed (make sure they’re smooth!)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (this is important for creaminess!)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade, your call!)
Having everything ready to go makes the whole process so much smoother, trust me!
Cooking Sweet Potatoes for Your Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Now, for this recipe, we’re keeping it super simple with canned sweet potatoes. But here’s a little tip: grab a good quality brand! You want sweet potatoes that are soft and mash up easily. If you happen to use fresh ones, make sure you cook them until they’re really tender – like, fork-tender. Then, mash them up really well until there are absolutely no lumps. A smooth sweet potato base is key for that dreamy, creamy filling we all love in a Southern Sweet Potato Pie!
How to Prepare Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Alright, let’s get this pie in the oven! Making this Southern Sweet Potato Pie is really straightforward, and honestly, part of the fun is mixing it all up. First things first, you’ll want to get your oven preheated to 350 degrees F (that’s 175 degrees C). Having the oven ready to go means your pie can start baking right away, which is always a good thing when you’re excited to eat!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Sweet Potato Pie Filling
Now for the good stuff – making that glorious filling! Grab a big bowl, and in it, beat together your mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, and softened butter until it’s all nice and smooth. Seriously, get it as creamy as you can! Then, beat in your eggs, one at a time, making sure each one is fully mixed in before you add the next. Next, stir in all those warm spices: the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Give it another good mix. Finally, gradually beat in the evaporated milk until everything is perfectly combined. Pour this lovely, smooth mixture right into your unbaked pie crust. Easy peasy!
Baking Your Delicious Holiday Dessert
Once your filling is snug in its crust, it’s time for the oven! Pop that pie in and let it bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a knife that you stick near the center comes out clean – no wet batter clinging to it! After it’s done baking, the most important part is letting it cool completely. Seriously, resist the urge to cut into it right away! Cooling allows the filling to set up perfectly, giving you that lovely texture you expect from a Southern Sweet Potato Pie. It’s worth the wait, I promise!
Tips for a Perfect Sweet Potato Pie Southern
Want your Southern Sweet Potato Pie to be absolutely perfect? A few little tricks can make all the difference! For that super smooth filling, make sure you mash your sweet potatoes really, really well. No lumps allowed! A good hand masher or even a quick pulse in a food processor helps. And for the crust, if you’re going homemade, make sure your butter and water are ice cold – that’s the secret to a flaky, tender crust. If you’re using a store-bought crust, just handle it gently so it doesn’t crack before you put the filling in. Oh, and don’t overmix the filling once you’ve added the dry ingredients; just mix until it’s combined. A little care goes a long way for the best Southern Sweet Potato Pie!
Serving Suggestions for Your Potato Pie
This Southern Sweet Potato Pie is divine on its own, but it’s also fantastic with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. A little dusting of powdered sugar on top also looks ever so elegant. It’s truly a treat no matter how you serve it!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Sweet Potato Pie
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Once your Southern Sweet Potato Pie has cooled completely, you’ll want to store it properly to keep it tasting its best. Just cover it loosely with plastic wrap or foil, or pop it into an airtight container. It’ll be good in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready for another slice, you can enjoy it cold, or gently reheat it in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for about 10-15 minutes until just warmed through. This keeps that crust nice and tender!
Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Got questions about making the best Southern Sweet Potato Pie? I’ve got you covered! People often ask about swapping out ingredients or how to get that super smooth texture. Don’t worry, these are common things to wonder about, and I’m happy to share what I know to make your pie baking journey a breeze. We’ll cover fresh versus canned sweet potatoes and, of course, how to banish any lumps for the silkiest filling ever!
Can I use fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned for my Southern Sweet Potato Pie?
Oh, absolutely! If you prefer using fresh sweet potatoes, just make sure you cook them until they are super tender. Roasting them is my favorite way – it brings out their sweetness! Then, mash them up really well before you start the recipe. You’ll want about 1 ½ cups of mashed sweet potato from about 1-2 medium-sized ones.
How do I get a smooth Sweet Potato Pie filling?
The secret to a super smooth Sweet Potato Pie filling is really in the mashing! Make sure those canned sweet potatoes are mashed thoroughly until there are no lumps at all. If you’re using fresh ones, mash them until they’re like baby food! Sometimes, giving the mixture a quick blitz with an immersion blender or even a short whirl in a food processor before adding the milk can ensure it’s perfectly creamy and lump-free.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this amazing Southern Sweet Potato Pie is just an estimate, you know? It can change depending on the exact ingredients you use and how generous you are with those servings! But generally, one slice is around 350 calories, with about 18g of fat, 45g of carbs, and 40g of sugar. It’s a holiday treat, after all!
For more delicious recipes and inspiration, check out our Pinterest page!
PrintAmazing 1 Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic Southern sweet potato pie, perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings. This recipe features a creamy, spiced filling baked in a flaky crust.
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can sweet potatoes, mashed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, beat mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, and butter until smooth.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- Gradually beat in evaporated milk.
- Pour filling into the unbaked pie crust.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For an extra rich pie, use a combination of half-and-half and evaporated milk.
- Ensure your sweet potatoes are fully mashed for a smooth filling.
- Chill the pie before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern