What is the difference between sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie?

Sweet potato pie is denser and more custard-like, with a brighter sweet potato flavor and usually lighter spicing than pumpkin pie.

Can I bake the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them?

Yes. Roast at 400°F until very tender — the filling will taste slightly sweeter and more concentrated.

Desserts

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Velvety sweet potato filling spiced with nutmeg and vanilla, tucked into a buttery crust — the pie that edges out pumpkin every Thanksgiving and holds a beloved place on many Black American holiday tables.

Jump to Recipe

Prep time

25 min

Cook time

1 hr

Total time

1 hr 25 min plus cooling

Servings

8 · One 9-inch pie

Ingredients

1 pound sweet potatoes
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Pinch of salt
1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Instructions

1
Place whole sweet potatoes in a pot and cover with water.
2
Bring to a boil and cook 40–50 minutes until very tender.
3
Drain, cool enough to handle and remove skins.
4
Preheat oven to 350°F.
5
Mash sweet potatoes until smooth.
6
Beat in butter and sugar.
7
Add eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, cornstarch and salt.
8
Beat until smooth.
9
Pour into unbaked pie crust.
10
Bake 50–60 minutes until edges are set and center has only a slight jiggle.
11
Cool completely before slicing.

Heritage Kitchen Tips

For the smoothest filling, remove fibrous sweet-potato strings that collect around mixer beaters instead of scraping them back into the filling.
Cool the pie fully before slicing so the filling sets cleanly.