Sweet potatoes are a staple in Southern cuisine, and with North Carolina supplying 40% of the nation’s sweet potatoes, it’s no surprise that there are countless variations of Sweet Potato pie. While pumpkin pies are often associated with the holidays, the sweet potato pie holds a special place in the hearts of many Southern families.

Richer and slightly brighter in color, these pies are a delicious dessert for any occasion. Here are four scrumptious Southern Sweet Potato Pie recipes to indulge your taste buds.

1. Traditional Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cup sweet potatoes (boiled, peeled, and mashed until smooth)
  • 2 TBS melted butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar (packed – mashed down in the cup to eliminate extra air)
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (powder type – not the sticks)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 ¾ cups whole milk (regular milk)
  • 1 pie shell unbaked (9-inch size – deep dish)

Directions:

  1. Mix together sweet potatoes, butter, and brown sugar in a bowl.
  2. Add ginger, cinnamon, and salt and mix.
  3. Combine eggs and milk and add to the sweet potato mixture, mixing well.
  4. Pour sweet potato mixture into the pie shell.
  5. Bake for 10 minutes at 450 degrees F, then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. This method helps prevent a soggy crust.

2. Rich Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes mashed smooth (around 3 cups – give or take)
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla flavoring
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup sugar (regular white sugar)
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (not the thin evaporated milk)
  • 1 stick of melted butter
  • 2 pie shells unbaked (9-inch size)

Directions:

  1. Mix sweet potatoes, eggs, and vanilla.
  2. Add nutmeg and sugar and mix.
  3. Pour condensed milk and melted butter into the pie mixture and mix until smooth.
  4. Pour mixture into unbaked pie shells.
  5. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes, then at 350 degrees F for an additional 30 to 40 minutes or until the center is not runny.

3. Easy Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mashed sweet potato
  • 1 can evaporated milk (14.5 ounces)
  • 4 eggs lightly beaten
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 pie shells unbaked (9-inch size)

Directions:

  1. Put all sweet potato pie ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
  2. Pour into unbaked pie shell.
  3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F and cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until done.

Note: If the edges of the pie shells are getting too dark, use thin pieces of aluminum foil or a pie shell guard to protect them.

4. Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sweet potato (boiled and mashed well)
  • 1 TBS real butter (melted)
  • 3 eggs (beat lightly before adding to mixture)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • (or can use 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice in place of nutmeg and cinnamon)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 cups evaporated milk (not condensed – big difference)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought – do not need deep dish type for this recipe)

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, stir together the milk, baking soda, baking powder, and apple cider vinegar until well mixed and set aside.
  2. In a larger mixing bowl, combine the sweet potato, melted butter, eggs, honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. Pour the milk mixture into the sweet potato mixture, and with a hand or stand mixer, beat until nice and smooth.
  4. Pour into the unbaked pie crust.
  5. Bake first in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes to set the crust, so it will not be soggy, which can be a problem with sweet potato and pumpkin pies.
  6. Drop the heat back to 300 degrees F after 10 minutes and continue to bake the sweet potato pie for 45 to 50 minutes or until set.

Serving Suggestions

These Southern Sweet Potato Pies are delightful whether served warm or cold and with or without toppings. Try them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of Cool Whip, or a spoonful of whipped cream. These pies are also delicious when served plain, allowing the flavors of the sweet potato and spices to shine.

In conclusion, these four easy Southern Sweet Potato Pie recipes are sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re a novice baker or an experienced pie maker, these recipes provide a perfect balance of simplicity and flavor. So, grab your apron and start baking a delicious, soul-warming Sweet Potato Pie today!

What to Read Next: