Thanksgiving feels like home when the smell of sweet potato pie fills the kitchen. The creamy filling, the hint of cinnamon, and that buttery crust all whisper stories of family and love. Inspired by Patty Pinner’s Sweets: Soul Food Desserts & Memories, this Black folks sweet potato pie brings the warmth of tradition to your table. Let’s make this silky, soul-warming pie step-by-step.
What Makes Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Special
This sweet potato pie carries deep roots in Southern Black cooking. It’s more than dessert—it’s heritage baked into a flaky crust. While pumpkin pie has its place, sweet potato pie has a richer flavor and a heartier, spiced aroma. Buttermilk adds tang and depth, while nutmeg and cinnamon build that signature soul food sweetness. Every bite tastes like memory and comfort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this pie, gather sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and a mix of warm spices. Always use room temperature ingredients so the filling blends smoothly. You’ll find full measurements in the recipe card below, but these are the stars of the show.
How to Make Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie
Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Choose medium, firm sweet potatoes. Wash them and place them in a pot with water about 2 inches above. Boil for 30–40 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and let cool. Peel and mash until smooth. Avoid overcooking so they keep their texture.
Mash and Mix the Filling
Add mashed sweet potatoes to a large bowl. Pour in melted butter, sugar, and dark corn syrup. Beat on medium speed until creamy, and remove any stringy bits from the beaters. Then, add eggs one by one, followed by buttermilk, vanilla, and spices. Mix until silky smooth. Using room temperature ingredients helps prevent curdling and keeps the texture light.
Fill and Bake the Pie
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the unbaked crust in a 9-inch pie dish. Pour in the filling evenly. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Serve and Enjoy
Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted pecans. Serve the pie at room temperature or slightly chilled. It pairs beautifully with coffee or sweet tea, making every bite cozy and satisfying.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Cool your pie completely before storing. Cover tightly or use an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. If you prefer it warm, reheat in the oven for a few minutes to revive that soft, just-baked feel.
Recipe Tips & Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing. Don’t overcook your sweet potatoes; they should be tender but not mushy. Always let your pie cool fully so it sets perfectly. And don’t skip the whipped cream—it adds a light finish that balances the richness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients go in sweet potato pie?
Sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice make up this soul food classic.
What does a sweet potato pie taste like?
It tastes rich and creamy, with hints of caramel sweetness from the potatoes and deep warmth from the spices. The buttermilk adds a gentle tang that keeps it balanced.
Why is sweet potato pie a Black thing?
Sweet potato pie has roots in African American cooking traditions, passed down through generations. Enslaved Africans made use of available ingredients like sweet potatoes, creating comforting, flavorful dishes that became family staples.
What are some common mistakes when making sweet potato pie?
Overcooking the sweet potatoes, skipping the cooling step, or not using room temperature ingredients can affect the texture. Also, too much sugar can overpower the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Card
Print
Sweet Potato Pie – Soulful, Creamy & Irresistibly Delicious
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A soul food sweet potato pie with tender potatoes, warm spices, buttermilk, and a flaky crust, inspired by Patty Pinner’s “Sweets: Soul Food Desserts & Memories.”
Ingredients
3 large sweet potatoes
1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup dark corn syrup
1¼ to 1½ cups granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
2 large eggs, beaten
½ cup buttermilk
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground allspice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
1. Wash sweet potatoes and cover with water by 2 inches; boil 30–40 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and cool.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a 9-inch single pie crust.
3. Peel and mash the cooled sweet potatoes using a hand or stand mixer until smooth.
4. Add melted butter, corn syrup, and sugar. Beat until creamy, discarding any stringy bits.
5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
6. Add buttermilk, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, and salt. Beat until silky smooth.
7. Pour filling into the prepared crust.
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool completely on a wire rack and garnish with whipped cream before serving.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing.
Do not overcook the sweet potatoes; they should be tender but not falling apart.
Let the pie cool completely to set properly.
Do not skip the whipped cream garnish; it adds both flavor and presentation.
Storage: Refrigerate cooled pie in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Thanksgiving Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 474
- Sugar: 56 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
More Such Recipes
If you loved this sweet potato pie, you might also enjoy these other Southern desserts:
- Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe with a Buttery Crust
- Homemade Cherry Pie with Flaky Crust
- Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake for Classic Dessert Lovers
- Delicious Fresh Peach Fritters with Glaze
- Strawberry Peach Buckle with Buttery Crumble
- Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Final Thoughts
Sweet potato pie tells a story of resilience, love, and tradition. It’s a recipe that carries the spirit of home, especially during Thanksgiving. Share it, savor it, and remember—this pie is more than dessert, it’s a slice of history and heart.
Find more comforting recipes on Pinterest and join our food family on Facebook.