Whole sweet potato pie with a golden, crimped crust and smooth orange filling on a warm wooden table.

Simple Sweet Potato Pie (Step-by-Step + Pro Tips)

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Sweet Potat

Introduction

This simple sweet potato pie brings all the cozy flavors of the South to your table. It has a silky custard filling, a buttery flaky crust, and an easy step-by-step method anyone can follow. The creamy texture and warm spices make it perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy dessert night at home. With this simple sweet potato pie recipe, you’ll bake a classic treat that feels homemade, rich, and full of comfort.

For more sweet potato recipes, try:

Ingredients & Smart Substitutions

Top view of sweet potato pie ingredients including sweet potatoes, eggs, butter, milk, sugar, vanilla, and spices arranged on a warm orange background.
All the ingredients for a homemade sweet potato pie — simple, wholesome, and ready to mix into a smooth, spiced filling.

Sweet Potato Purée

Roast the sweet potatoes for deeper, sweeter flavor. Or boil them, then drain very well. Mash until smooth for a silky custard filling in this simple sweet potato pie.

Rich Base (Butter + Eggs)

Melt unsalted butter and whisk it into the warm purée. Then add eggs to build a custardy set. This combo keeps your Southern sweet potato pie creamy yet stable.

Creamy Liquid (Evaporated Milk or Cream)

Use evaporated milk for the classic taste and light body. Or swap in heavy cream for extra silkiness. Both make the filling smooth and spoonable.

Sweeteners (Brown + Granulated Sugar)

Brown sugar adds caramel notes and a cozy fall vibe. Balance it with a little granulated sugar for clean sweetness. Adjust to taste for a not-too-sweet pie.

Warm Spices + Vanilla

Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of ginger, plus a pinch of salt. Then add vanilla to round the flavor. The warm spices lift the pie and keep every slice aromatic.

Step-by-Step (No-Fail Method)

Prep & Preheat

Set the oven to 175–190°C (350–375°F). Place a sheet tray on the middle rack to catch drips and help even heat. Gather all ingredients so the simple sweet potato pie moves fast.

Crust (9-Inch, Blind Bake)

Roll the dough into a 9-inch pie dish. Line with parchment and add pie weights or beans. Blind bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges look set. This step keeps the crust flaky and never soggy.

Filling (Warm Purée, Then Temper)

Whisk warm sweet potato purée with melted butter, sugars, and warm spices. Slowly whisk in the eggs to temper—don’t scramble them. Then add evaporated milk (or cream) for a creamy Southern sweet potato pie.

Strain & Fill (Ultra-Smooth)

Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. This removes fibers and makes the custard silky. Fill the crust, then tap the dish to release air bubbles for a smooth top.

Bake & Test (Jiggle = Done)

Bake 45–55 minutes. The edges should set while the center keeps a gentle jiggle about 5 cm wide. Cool on a rack. Then chill for clean slices and a bakery-style, step-by-step perfect finish.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Smoothness

Use warm sweet potato purée so it blends fast and smooth. Then strain the filling to remove fibers. You’ll get bakery-style silk and a truly creamy sweet potato pie.

No Cracks

Do not overbake. Pull the pie when the 5-cm center still jiggles slightly. Keep the oven door closed for the first 30 minutes, and rotate once for even baking. This keeps your simple sweet potato pie glossy and custardy.

Clean Slices

Cool on a rack for 2 hours, then chill 3–4 hours. Warm a thin knife under hot water, wipe, and cut. You’ll get neat wedges with a silky custard filling and a flaky crust.

Flavor Balance

Add a pinch of salt to sharpen the spices. Ease up on nutmeg if it tastes strong, and boost vanilla for roundness. Taste the mix before baking for a not-too-sweet Southern sweet potato pie.

Crust Insurance

After the blind bake, brush the crust with egg white and bake 1–2 minutes more. Shield edges with foil if they brown fast. This keeps the bottom crisp and the homemade pie crust perfectly flaky.

Serving Ideas & Variations

A slice of sweet potato pie served on a beige plate with a fork, next to a mug of coffee, a glass of water, and a small bowl of salad on a wooden table.
A cozy lunch scene featuring a smooth, spiced slice of sweet potato pie — golden crust, creamy filling, and simple Southern comfort.

Classic Serve

Top slices with lightly sweet whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream. The cool cream balances the warm spices. It highlights the silky custard filling and flaky crust.

Citrus Lift

Stir in 1 teaspoon orange zest for brightness. The citrus wakes up the cinnamon and nutmeg. Your simple sweet potato pie tastes fresh, not heavy.

Dairy-Light Twist

Swap part of the milk for coconut milk. You’ll get gentle tropical notes and a creamy texture. It keeps the Southern sweet potato pie rich yet light.

Spiced Crunch

Finish with a pecan praline or a quick crumble around the edges. The crisp topping adds texture to the creamy sweet potato pie. Every bite feels balanced.

Maple Moment

Replace part of the sugar with pure maple syrup. The maple adds depth and a cozy fall vibe. It turns a classic into a from-scratch, not-too-sweet showstopper.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Make-Ahead

Bake the simple sweet potato pie one day early. Cool fully, then cover and chill. The flavors deepen overnight and slices cut clean.

Storage

Refrigerate for 3–4 days in an airtight container. Or freeze slices up to 2 months. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic, then foil, for the best texture.

Reheat

Warm slices at 150°C (300°F) for 8–10 minutes on a sheet tray. Keep the crust crisp by reheating unwrapped. Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

Food Safety

After baking, do not leave out over 2 hours. Always store the pie in the fridge once cool. When in doubt, chill it.

Leftovers

Crumble slices into parfaits with yogurt or whipped cream. Add toasted pecans for crunch. A drizzle of maple syrup makes an easy, cozy dessert.

Simple Sweet Potato Pie

Close-up of a single slice of sweet potato pie on a white plate showing its creamy orange filling and flaky golden crust.

Simple Sweet Potato Pie

This Simple Sweet Potato Pie serves 4 and delivers a silky, spiced custard in a flaky crust. Warm sweet potato purée, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla bake into a creamy Southern classic that’s easy and foolproof. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy dessert night.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Breakfast, brunch, dinner
Cuisine: Southern American Cuisine
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes about 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of ginger and salt
  • ½ cup evaporated milk or heavy cream for extra creaminess
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 9- inch pie crust store-bought or homemade

Method
 

  1. Prep the potatoes: Peel and cut sweet potatoes. Boil or roast until tender, then mash until smooth.
  2. Preheat oven: Set to 175°C (350°F). Place a baking sheet in the center rack.
  3. Make the filling: 1- In a bowl, whisk mashed sweet potatoes, melted butter, and both sugars. 2- Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. 3- Then whisk in the egg, milk, and vanilla until silky.
  4. Assemble the pie: Pour the filling into the crust. Tap gently to remove air bubbles.
  5. Bake: Bake for 45–50 minutes, until edges are set and the center jiggles slightly.
  6. Cool: Let rest on a rack for 2 hours, then chill for at least 1 hour before slicing.

FAQs

1) Can I use canned sweet potato purée?

Yes. Use 100% sweet potato, not pie filling. Whisk until smooth for a silky custard.

2) Evaporated milk or heavy cream?

Both work. Evaporated milk tastes classic. Heavy cream makes a richer, creamier pie.

3) How do I keep the crust flaky, not soggy?

Blind bake 10–12 minutes. Brush with egg white, then fill. Bake on a preheated sheet tray.

4) What oven temp and time are best?

Bake at 175–190°C (350–375°F) for 45–55 minutes. Use the jiggle test to confirm doneness.

5) What is the jiggle test?

The edges set, but the 5-cm center jiggles slightly. Pull it then. It will finish setting as it cools.

Conclusion

This simple sweet potato pie brings together everything you love — a silky custard, warm spices, and a flaky homemade crust. Every step is easy to follow, and the results always impress. Bake it for Thanksgiving, family gatherings, or any cozy weekend treat. If you try this Southern sweet potato pie, rate the recipe, share your feedback, and tag us on social media. We’d love to see your golden, creamy creations and celebrate your baking success!

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