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Sweet Potato Pie

Photo of a sweet potato pie in a pie dish with three slices cut out one of them on a plate with a fork to the side...
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Kim

Homemade pie inspires intense loyalties. In the fall, classic Southern sweet potato pie rivalspumpkin pie,apple pie, andpecan pie—and some autumnal tables only feel complete with one of each. Sweet potato pie thrived in the South due to the plant’s predilection to grow in warm climates. Some recipesget a tad tipsyfrom rum, whiskey, praline liqueur, or Frangelico. But our best sweet potato pie recipe keeps things simple except for a twist at the end.

A cross between sweet potato pudding and a classic custard pie, this version from Toni Tipton-Martin’sJubileebegins with fresh sweet potatoes (sometimes called yams, thoughthey’re technically not the same thing) you’llroastyourself, then cool and peel. The buttery pie crust is made with lard in addition to unsalted butter for an extra flaky texture. Chill it in the pie pan while the creamy filling comes together—an electric mixer cuts down on prep time, helping the still-warm baked sweet potatoes easily meld into a purée. Pour the filling into the crust and start baking. Halfway through the cook time, we add a crunchy, caramelized pecanpraline toppingfor good measure. You can certainly make the pie without the topping, but why would you? Once cooled, you can serve this showstopping sweet potato pie at room temperature or chilled. It would make an excellent addition to yourThanksgiving dessertspread. Whipped cream totally optional.

Ingredients

serves 8

½ recipeBest-Ever Pie Crust, unbaked
1 lb. sweet potatoes, unpeeled
½ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
4 Tbsp. (½ stick) butter, melted
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup evaporated milk or half-and-half
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. grated orange zest
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground or freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp. salt
Praline Topping(optional)
  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F.

    Step 2

    Roll the dough to fit a 9-inch pie plate and tuck it into the plate as the crust recipe directs. Refrigerate until ready to use.

    Step 3

    Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake until fork-tender, about 1½ hours.

    Step 4

    When the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them and discard the skins. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the warm sweet potatoes, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and melted butter on medium speed until smooth. With a wooden spoon, stir in the eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until mixed.

    Step 5

    Pour the filling into the pie shell. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven and carefully spoon the praline topping over the top, if desired. Bake until the topping is golden and the filling barely jiggles, 20 to 30 minutes more. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or chilled.

    Editor’s note:This recipe was originally published in ‘Jubilee’ and first appeared on Epicurious in November 2020.For more of our best sweet potato recipes, head this way →

Reprinted with permission fromJubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cookingby Toni Tipton-Martin, copyright © 2019. Photographs by Jerrelle Guy. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division ofPenguin Random House, Inc. Buy the full book fromAmazon.
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  • 这是一个非常好的派和我会的,最有可能的是,make it again. I gave it only 4 stars because IMO, the praline topping is NOT optional. Without the praline topping the pie would have been inoffensive but nothing special. The praline topping gives it more dimension in both texture and flavor and takes it from "ok" to "oooh, what is that?"

    • Richenza

    • 9/13/2022

  • Absolutely delicious. I would use just a little less nutmeg, but that’s a personal taste. I used in a coconut/almond crust and it was a great compliment.

    • Anonymous

    • Indianapolis

    • 11/7/2021

  • Fabulous flavor and texture! I increased the pecan halves in the praline topping to 2/3 cup because there weren’t enough for our taste and used a Pillsbury refrigerated crust. For the filling I let the skinned hot sweet potatoes melt the butter in the mixing bowl instead of melting it separately. I made it early for Thanksgiving but it may not last that long! This is a keeper and even better than pumpkin pie.

    • cyin2020

    • Overland Park, KS

    • 11/24/2020

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