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Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Southern sweet potato pie has a smooth, warmly spiced filling baked in a refrigerated pie crust. Bake the sweet potatoes until tender, then cool the pie completely for neat slices.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 48 minutes
Cooling 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 28 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 425
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the crust
  • 1 pie crust 9-inch, refrigerated
For the filling
  • 1.5 lb sweet potatoes about 2 medium; yields about 2 cups mashed
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs large
  • 0.5 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp salt

Equipment

  • 1 9-inch pie plate
  • 1 rimmed baking sheet

Method
 

Prepare the crust
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate, crimp the edge, and refrigerate until ready to fill.
Cook the sweet potatoes
  1. Place the sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 45–60 minutes, until easily pierced with a knife.
  2. Cool the sweet potatoes for 15–20 minutes, until easy to handle.
  3. Peel and mash the sweet potatoes until smooth, then measure 2 cups.
Make the filling and bake
  1. In a large bowl, beat the mashed sweet potatoes with the melted butter and sugar until smooth.
  2. Beat in the eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. Reduce the oven to 350°F.
  4. Pour the filling into the chilled crust.
  5. Bake for 50–60 minutes, until the edges are set, the center jiggles slightly, and an instant-read thermometer inserted near the center reads at least 160°F.
  6. Cool the pie completely on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing.

Notes

For the smoothest filling, mash the sweet potatoes thoroughly before measuring. Refrigerate covered for 3–4 days; freeze yes, tightly wrapped, for up to 2 months. For a dairy-free variation, use plant-based butter and evaporated coconut milk.