Ingredients
– 4 medium sweet potatoes (44 ounces total) the star of the filling; baking preserves natural sweetness
– 2 tablespoons vegetable or neutral oil like canola for rubbing on potatoes before baking
– 1 cup salted butter, room temperature adds creaminess and flavor; use unsalted plus extra salt if preferred
– 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar sweetens and helps texture; brown sugar may be substituted for molasses notes
– 4 large eggs, room temperature give the custard structure and creaminess
– 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract rounds out the flavor
– 1 cup evaporated milk makes the filling silky; heavy cream or half-and-half are alternatives for a creamier result
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour helps set the filling; can be replaced with cornstarch
– 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg warm spice for classic flavor
– Pinch of kosher salt balances sweetness
– 2 pie crusts, homemade or store-bought use your favorite 9-inch crusts
Instructions
1-First Step: Roast the Sweet Potatoes Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Clean the sweet potatoes and pierce them multiple times with a fork so steam can escape. Rub each potato with 2 tablespoons of vegetable or neutral oil like canola. Place on the sheet and roast for about 50 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’re done when a knife slides easily into the center. Let cool 10 minutes, then carefully peel while warm so the flesh is easy to mash.
2-Second Step: Blind Bake the Crusts Line two 9-inch pie plates with your crusts and prick the bottoms lightly with a fork. Blind bake at 400°F with pie weights or dried beans on parchment for 10-15 minutes to prevent soggy bottoms. Remove weights and let crusts cool slightly while you finish the filling.
3-Third Step: Make the Silky Filling Place the warm, peeled sweet potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, mix on medium-low for about 20 seconds. Stop and rinse the whisk repeatedly to remove fibrous strings that can make the filling stringy. Continue until the potatoes are smooth. Add 1 cup of room temperature salted butter and mix until melted and absorbed. Slowly add 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar while mixing on low, scraping the sides as needed. Remove any remaining strings from the whisk if you see them. Add the 4 large eggs one at a time, mixing each fully in before adding the next. Pour in 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1 cup evaporated milk slowly while mixing on low. Scrape the bowl to incorporate everything evenly. Finally, add 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, and a pinch of kosher salt. Mix thoroughly. For the smoothest filling, strain the batter through a fine mesh sieve before pouring into crusts.
4-Fourth Step: Fill and Bake Pour 3 3/4 cups batter into each prepared pie crust. The filling will look full but will set during baking. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 325°F and bake for about 45 minutes more. The filling should be mostly set with a slight jiggle in the center when finished – it will firm up as it cools.
5-Final Step: Cool, Chill, and Serve Let pies cool at room temperature for 30-40 minutes, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed. Top with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra Southern charm.
Notes
🥔 Baking sweet potatoes instead of boiling preserves natural sweetness and prevents watery filling
🌡️ Use room temperature eggs, butter, and milk for smooth custard texture
⏰ Pie tastes better when made ahead, allowing flavors to blend. Store chilled up to 2 days before serving
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of pie)
- Calories: 278
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 162
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 37
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 48
