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Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 104 reviews

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie is a classic Southern dessert featuring a flaky, buttery pie crust infused with warm spices, filled with a smooth, creamy sweet potato custard. Made from fresh roasted sweet potatoes and browned butter for a rich caramel flavor, this pie is perfect for holidays or any special occasion. The recipe includes a scratch-made pie crust option or the convenience of store-bought crust, ensuring an easy yet authentic homemade experience.

Ingredients

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Pie Crust (if making from scratch)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup cold salted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 3–4 tablespoons ice-cold water

Sweet Potato Filling

  • 3 medium fresh sweet potatoes (about 2 cups mashed)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, browned and cooled
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Make the Pie Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add cold, cubed butter and pinch together with your fingers or use a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together but remains crumbly. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and press into a cohesive ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to chill.
  2. Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place whole sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 35-45 minutes until fork tender. Remove from oven, allow to cool completely, then peel the skins off and place the flesh in a large bowl.
  3. Prepare the Sweet Potato Filling: Brown the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until golden brown and fragrant; then remove from heat and cool. Mash the cooled sweet potatoes with a potato ricer or masher until smooth, removing any stringy fibers. Add brown sugar, white sugar, browned butter, evaporated milk, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Beat in eggs until fully incorporated without overmixing to avoid a gummy texture.
  4. Blind Bake the Pie Crust: Roll out chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Trim excess dough and crimp edges if desired. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork to prevent bubbles. Line with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or uncooked beans. Bake at 425°F for 17-20 minutes until edges begin to brown. Remove parchment and weights, then bake an additional 12-13 minutes until the bottom is golden. Remove from oven.
  5. Fill and Bake the Pie: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Pour sweet potato filling into the pre-baked pie crust, smoothing the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the center is just set and slightly jiggly. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

  • For convenience, a store-bought 9-inch pie crust can be used, skipping the crust-making steps.
  • Ensure roasted sweet potatoes are cooled to room temperature before making filling to avoid cooking eggs prematurely and causing lumps.
  • For an extra smooth filling, press mashed sweet potatoes through a fine mesh sieve, though this is optional.
  • Do not overblend or overmix sweet potatoes to prevent gummy texture; mix only until smooth.
  • Use fresh sweet potatoes rather than canned puree for best texture and thickness.
  • A potato ricer is recommended for smooth mashed sweet potatoes but a masher works fine.
  • Pie weights should fill the crust completely during blind baking; uncooked rice or beans are good alternatives.

Keywords: sweet potato pie, old fashioned pie, southern dessert, holiday pie, homemade pie crust, brown butter sweet potato pie

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/grandmas-old-fashioned-sweet-potato-pie-recipe/