You love the creamy, spiced comfort of southern sweet potato pie, right? It's a staple at every holiday table down South. These 13 traditional recipes bring that classic flavor home with twists you'll crave.
From old-fashioned simplicity to bourbon-kissed indulgence, each one uses real baked sweet potatoes for authentic taste. You'll find beginner-friendly steps, perfect for your next family gathering.
Get ready to bake pies that rival grandma's—warm, spiced, and unforgettable.
13 Traditional Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipes
Nothing beats the holidays without a slice of southern sweet potato pie. Dive into these 13 recipes, each with a unique spin on the classic. Pick your favorite and let's get baking—you've got this.
1. Classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie
This timeless pie delivers creamy, spiced filling in a buttery crust—pure Southern comfort. Nutmeg and cinnamon shine through the tender sweet potato base, with a velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought like Pillsbury)
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs, yields 2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bake the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork. Bake on a foil-lined sheet for 45-50 minutes until fork-tender. Cool, peel, and mash until smooth. Reduce oven to 350°F.
Prepare the Filling
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer until fluffy. Beat in eggs, then mashed sweet potatoes, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
Assemble and Bake
Pour filling into pie crust. Bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes until center is set but slightly jiggles. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
2. Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie
Bourbon adds a warm, boozy depth to the classic spiced filling, creating a sophisticated pie with silky smoothness and hints of caramel—perfect for adult gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Roast the Potatoes
Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap sweet potatoes in foil. Roast 50 minutes until soft. Mash smooth. Lower oven to 350°F.
Mix the Boozy Filling
Beat butter and brown sugar until light. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in mashed potatoes, cream, bourbon, vanilla, spices, and salt for a uniform batter.
Bake to Perfection
Fill crust evenly. Bake 350°F for 50-55 minutes; edges firm, center set. Chill 4 hours for best flavor.
3. Pecan Praline Sweet Potato Pie
Crunchy pecan praline topping crowns the spiced sweet potato custard, blending nutty sweetness with creamy filling for a decadent, crowd-pleasing crunch.
Ingredients
- 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- Pinch salt
- Topping: ½ cup chopped pecans, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup butter melted, 2 tbsp flour
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook and Mash Potatoes
Boil peeled sweet potatoes 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain, mash. Preheat oven to 350°F.
Whip Up Filling
Mix butter, sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, spices, and salt. Fold in mashed potatoes until creamy.
Add Praline Topping
Pour filling into crust. Mix topping ingredients; sprinkle over pie. Bake 50-60 minutes until topping bubbles.
4. Spiced Rum Sweet Potato Pie
Dark rum infuses warm spice notes into the velvety filling, paired with plump raisins for a moist, flavorful pie that evokes Southern holiday cheer.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ¼ cup dark rum
- ½ cup raisins, soaked in rum
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Potatoes
Bake sweet potatoes at 400°F for 45 minutes. Mash fine. Soak raisins in ¼ cup rum 30 minutes.
Blend Filling
Cream butter and sugar. Beat eggs in, then potatoes, milk, remaining rum, spices, salt, and raisins.
Bake Slowly
Fill crust. Bake 425°F 15 minutes, then 350°F 40-45 minutes until set. Cool fully.
5. Meringue-Topped Sweet Potato Pie
Fluffy, toasted meringue crowns the spiced custard, adding light sweetness to the rich, creamy base—a showstopper with perfect contrast.
Ingredients
- 1 baked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs (yolks only for filling)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- Meringue: 2 egg whites, ¼ cup sugar, ½ tsp cream of tartar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bake Potatoes
Roast at 400°F 50 minutes. Mash. Cool oven to 350°F.
Make Filling
Beat butter, sugar, yolks, milk, vanilla, spices, potatoes. Bake in crust 45 minutes until set. Cool.
Torch Meringue
Beat whites, sugar, tartar to stiff peaks. Spread over cooled pie. Torch or broil 2-3 minutes until golden.
6. Gingersnap Crust Sweet Potato Pie
Spicy gingersnap crust complements the cinnamon-spiced filling, offering a crunchy, gingery contrast to the smooth, sweet potato richness.
Ingredients
- Crust: 2 cups gingersnap crumbs, ⅓ cup melted butter
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Form Crust
Mix crumbs and butter. Press into 9-inch pie plate. Bake 350°F 8-10 minutes. Cool.
Prepare Filling
Mash baked potatoes (400°F 45 min). Cream butter, sugar; add eggs, cream, vanilla, spices, potatoes.
Fill and Bake
Pour into crust. Bake 350°F 50-55 minutes. Edges set, center jiggles slightly.
7. Coconut Sweet Potato Pie
Toasted coconut weaves through the spiced filling and topping, bringing tropical flair to the creamy, Southern-style pie you'll love year-round.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch graham crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup coconut oil, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes, divided
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bake Potatoes
400°F 45-50 minutes. Mash smooth.
Mix Tropical Filling
Beat coconut oil and sugar. Add eggs, milk, vanilla, ¾ cup coconut, cinnamon, salt, potatoes.
Bake and Toast
Fill crust. Bake 350°F 55 minutes. Sprinkle remaining coconut; bake 5 more minutes until golden.
8. Maple Pecan Sweet Potato Pie
Pure maple syrup sweetens the spiced custard, topped with buttery pecans for a nutty, autumnal pie bursting with cozy flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup half-and-half
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup pecan halves
Step-by-Step Instructions
Roast Potatoes
400°F foil-wrapped 50 minutes. Mash.
Blend Filling
Cream butter, syrup, sugar. Beat in eggs, half-and-half, spices, potatoes. Fold in half pecans.
Top and Bake
Pour into crust, top with pecans. Bake 350°F 55-60 minutes until pecans toast lightly.
9. Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie
Nutty brown butter elevates the creamy filling with toasty depth, paired with warm spices for a richer, more complex classic pie.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup brown butter (cooled)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Brown the Butter
Melt butter over medium; cook 5-7 minutes until golden and nutty. Cool.
Prep Potatoes
Bake 400°F 45 minutes. Mash.
Combine and Bake
Mix butter, sugar, eggs, milk, spices, vanilla, salt, potatoes. Fill crust. Bake 350°F 50-55 minutes.
10. Sweet Potato Chess Pie
Chess pie style means a dense, tangy custard with sweet potatoes, lemon zest, and cornmeal for a fudgy, old-South texture.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp cornmeal
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mash Potatoes
Boil or bake sweet potatoes. Mash very smooth.
Mix Chess Filling
Beat butter and sugar. Add eggs, cornmeal, juice, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, potatoes.
Bake High then Low
Preheat 425°F. Fill crust, bake 10 minutes. Reduce 325°F 40-45 minutes until crackly top.
11. Streusel-Topped Sweet Potato Pie
Oat streusel adds buttery crunch over spiced filling, mimicking pecan pie vibes with wholesome, cinnamon-kissed appeal.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Streusel: ½ cup oats, ¼ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp butter, ½ tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bake Potatoes
400°F 50 minutes. Mash.
Prepare Filling
Cream butter, sugar; add eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, potatoes.
Apply Streusel
Fill crust halfway, bake 350°F 30 minutes. Mix streusel, top pie, bake 25 more minutes.
12. Chocolate Swirl Sweet Potato Pie
Swirls of melted chocolate ribbon through spiced sweet potato for a decadent twist—creamy, fudgy, and irresistibly Southern fusion.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2 cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup cream
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook Potatoes
Roast 400°F 45 minutes. Mash.
Make Base Filling
Beat butter, sugar, eggs, cream, cinnamon, vanilla, potatoes.
Swirl Chocolate
Pour half filling in crust. Drizzle melted chocolate, swirl with knife. Top with rest. Bake 350°F 55 minutes.
13. Old-Fashioned Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Pie
Extra brown sugar caramelizes for a chewy top over spiced custard—nostalgic, molasses-rich flavor in every tender bite.
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust
- 3 medium sweet potatoes (2½ cups mashed)
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Potatoes
Bake pierced at 400°F 55 minutes. Peel, mash creamy.
Cream Filling
Mix butter and brown sugar fluffy. Beat eggs in, then buttermilk, vanilla, spices, potatoes.
Bake Deep
Fill crust. Bake 425°F 15 minutes, 350°F 45-50 minutes until top caramelizes lightly.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Grab your apron and pick one of these pies to bake this weekend—you'll nail that perfect creamy texture every time.
Share a slice with loved ones; it's the simple joys that make memories. Your kitchen will smell like home.
Keep experimenting with these Southern gems. You've got all the steps to create magic. Happy baking!
