This Easy Sweet Potato Pie is more than just dessert, it's a tradition. This creamy, spiced pie is a staple on Southern holiday tables, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. With simple ingredients like fresh sweet potatoes, warm cinnamon, and nutmeg baked into a flaky crust, this recipe brings pure comfort with every slice.
Updated August 2025: This sweet potato pie has been updated with new tips, FAQs, and step-by-step guidance. It was originally posted on November 26, 2020.
Here's what readers have to say about this recipe:
Reader Hayley, commented: "I prepared this sweet potato pie for thanksgiving potluck and not a single piece left. Everyone at the table enjoyed it and asked for the recipe 🙂 ★★★★★"
Another reader Mandy, commented: "Such a delicious pie! We had them growing up and I was thrilled to find this recipe! ★★★★★"
Jump to:
I first learned to make this pie by watching my mom in the kitchen. For years, it was her specialty, and I was convinced it had to be complicated. But once I tried it myself, I realized how simple and soul-satisfying it is to bake at home. Now, I'm sharing the exact recipe I use year after year so you can carry on this tradition in your own kitchen.
Before You Bake, Read This!
- Use a 9-inch pie crust (deep dish works too).
- Prepare the sweet potatoes ahead of time, boil and mash a day early if you like.
- Whole milk or evaporated milk gives the best creamy texture.
- Always taste the filling before baking, adjust sugar and spices to fit your preference.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Sweet Potatoes (about 4 cups mashed) - orange-flesh varieties work best.
- Butter - softened, salted or unsalted.
- Granulated Sugar - or cane sugar.
- Whole Milk - or evaporated milk.
- Eggs - room temperature.
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Nutmeg
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pie Crusts - frozen, refrigerated, or homemade. Get my Homemade Buttery Pie Crust Recipe if you'd like to make it from scratch!
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Sweet Potato Pie
Cook the Sweet Potatoes - Peel, chop, and boil until fork tender (about 10 minutes). Drain well.
Mix the Filling - In a mixing bowl, combine the hot potatoes with butter. Beat until smooth. Add sugar, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Finally, add eggs and mix until creamy.
Assemble & Bake - Pour filling evenly into the two pie crusts. Bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes, until the center is set and the tops are lightly browned.
Cool & Serve - Allow the pies to cool before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
LaKita's Expert Tips
- Don't over-mix the filling, small bits of potato add great texture.
- If the crust browns too quickly, cover the edges with foil or a pie shield.
- This recipe makes two pies, perfect for sharing or freezing one for later.
- For a classic finish, top slices with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerator: Cover and store for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap cooled pies in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
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FAQs
Yes, but fresh sweet potatoes give the best flavor. If using canned, drain and mash well before using.
Absolutely! Bake the day before, cool completely, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Sweet potato pie is denser, naturally sweeter, and has a deeper earthy flavor, while pumpkin pie is lighter and more spiced.
What to Serve with Sweet Potato Pie
Pair this pie with other holiday classics like:
If you love sweet potato desserts, try my Sweet Potato Casserole or Sweet Potato Pound Cake.
Tried this Classic Sweet Potato Pie? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below or tag @simplylakita so I can see your tasty pie creations!
💌 From my kitchen to yours, happy baking!
📖 Recipe
Easy Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 large pot or saucepan
- 1 stand mixer or hand mixer
- 1 large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 4 cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup whole milk or evaporated milk
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 frozen prepared 9-inch pie crusts (frozen, refrigerated, or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. If using frozen crusts, allow them to thaw slightly at room temperature.
- Peel and chop 4 large sweet potatoes. Place in a large pot, cover with water, and boil until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
- Add hot potatoes to a mixing bowl with ½ cup butter and beat until smooth.
- Mix in 1 cup sugar, ½ cup milk, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add 2 eggs last and beat until creamy. Small bits of potato are fine.
- Divide filling evenly between 2 pie crusts. Place on a baking sheet and bake 55-60 minutes, until the center is set and tops are lightly browned.
- Cool before slicing. Serve plain or topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Recipe yields 2 pies, perfect for freezing one.
- Cover edges with foil if the crust browns too quickly.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days, or freeze up to 1 month.
Hayley says
I prepared this sweet potato pie for thanksgiving potluck and not a single piece left. Everyone at the table enjoyed it and asked for the recipe 🙂
LaKita says
Thank you Hayley! It makes me happy to hear that it was a success at the Thanksgiving potluck 🙂
Vicki Ann Hernandez says
can you use deep dish pie crust
LaKita says
Yes you sure can! This recipe will make enough to fill one deep dish pie crust.
Mandy D says
Such a delicious pie! We had them growing up and I was thrilled to find this recipe!
LaKita says
Thank you so much Mandy, it was a favorite for me growing up as well!
Tammy says
I've only had yam pie once and it was soo delicious! I think it's a nice alternative for those who aren't a big fan of pumpkin pie. Such a wonderful holiday dessert.
LaKita says
Thank you Tammy! I agree it is a nice alternative to pumpkin pie!
Jacqueline Debono says
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in Italy and most times use sweet potatoes in savory recipes. But I have always wanted to try a sweet potato pie. This turned out so well. It was easy to make and seriously delicious!
LaKita says
Thank you Jacqueline! I love hearing that and I hope that you do get a chance to give it a try. I promise that it's not overly sweet 😉
Veronika says
We made this pie for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! It was perfectly flavored and not overly sweet!
LaKita says
Thank you Veronika! Happy to hear that 🙂
Jake Da'Daugh says
Yep, I'm gonna try your sweet potato pie recipe.
But, ya'll say large taters, well my market has very large sweet potatoes.
Might be best were you to say how much weight to use.
Thanks
Luv your website
LaKita says
Thank you so much Jake! I completely understand and will be sure to make a note for the exact measurement/weight. Thank you for letting me know 🙂