Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe is a delicious recipe that makes you think of all things warm and cozy. If you like pumpkin pie, then you will most likely enjoy this sweet potato pie recipe as well.

looking down on sweet potato pie

It’s so delicious, and comes with a bit of nostalgia, you should give this delicious recipe a try. 

Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Old fashioned sweet potato pie is very similar to pumpkin pie, but is made from delicious, sweet potatoes, and makes a delicious dessert for any occasion.

If you are looking for a tasty alternative to pumpkin pie, or simply for a delicious pie recipe in general, then this recipe for grandma’s old fashioned sweet potato pie is just the one for you. Let’s jump into this recipe. 

What You Need to Make Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients

For the Homemade Pie Crust

Cold butter. One of the keys to having your pie crust turn out fabulously is to use cold or even frozen butter when making a pie crust. We recommend that you use very cold butter, that has been cut into small cubes. 

Ice water. Another important ingredient, when making homemade pie crust is to use water, but in order for your pie crust to turn out perfectly flaky, we recommend that you use ice cold water or ice water. 

Salt. Salt is added to your pie crust dough to help bring out the delicious flavor of it. You may choose to use iodized salt, kosher salt, or sea salt for this recipe. 

Flour. Your basic all-purpose flour will work well for this pie crust recipe. If you have any dietary needs, you may substitute the regular all-purpose flour for gluten free, all-purpose flour, or another type of all-purpose flour. 

For the Sweet Potato Pie Filling

Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are an essential ingredient in this pie. You can use fresh with the peelings removed. Or if you prefer you can use canned sweet potatoes or frozen sweet potatoes.

Typically, we use fresh sweet potatoes, especially if we’re making the recipe for the holidays. 

Brown sugar. To help sweeten this pie, we recommend using a light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar will also work well for the pie, and it will simply add an additional molasses flavor.

If you do not have brown sugar, then you may substitute for granulated sugar, however, the best results and flavor will be found when you use brown sugar. 

Salted butter. We also recommend that you use salted butter for this pie recipe. You may substitute it for unsalted butter if you desire, but keep in mind that it will decrease the salt content of your pie. 

Eggs. Eggs are an important ingredient as they will help to hold your pie together. We recommend that you use large chicken eggs, but you may substitute for another type of egg if desired. 

Milk. For our old fashioned recipe, we simply recommend that you use your basic whole milk in this pie.

You may substitute whole milk for 2% milk, or another milk substitute, you may also use evaporated milk in place of whole milk if desired. 

Cornstarch. Cornstarch helps to thicken the pie and hold the sweet potatoes together. We recommend you use cornstarch rather than all-purpose flour, because it is less gritty in the texture. 

Seasonings. The main seasonings in this pie filling are cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger. You may also enjoy adding some cloves or pumpkin pie seasoning to your sweet potato pie as well. 

slice of sweet potato pie

How To Make Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie

Step 1: For the crust

When making an old-fashioned sweet potato pie, it’s important to start with the crust. If you are making your own homemade pie crust, we have given you our favorite recipe, including all-purpose flour, salt, cold butter, and ice water. You may also choose to use a store-bought pie crust, which is fine as well. 

To make your homemade pie crust, begin by adding your cold butter, that is cut into cubes into the mixing bowl. Add salt and all-purpose flour. Mix until you have only pea sized lumps remaining in your mixture. 

Pour in the cold water slowly until your dough begins to clump into a ball. 

Lightly flour a clean surface, and roll your dough out so that it is flat and approximately the size of your pie plate. 

Grease your pie plate, then use a rolling pin to transfer your pie crust into the pie plate. Pinch the edges. Set aside until you are ready to add the sweet potato filling. 

Step 2: Bake and peel the Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400°F. 

Then take your sweet potatoes, rinse them, and poke holes into each potato. Place them on a cookie sheet and add into the oven.

Bake for approximately 30 to 45 minutes or until your sweet potatoes are soft. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool.

Once the potatoes are cool, scoop the filling out of each potato and add it to a mixing bowl. 

Step 3: Mix the sweet potato pie filling

Into mixing bowl with your sweet potato filling, add light brown sugar, melted salted butter, eggs, milk, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Mash the potatoes, then mix all of the ingredients until combined. 

Step 4: Bake the pie

Pour your sweet potato pie filling into the prepared pie crust. Place it into a cold oven, then preheat the oven to 350°F (176.7°C). 

Bake the pie for approximately one hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pie comes out clean and the pie is set.

Remove the pie from the oven once it is fully baked, and allow it to cool before serving. Then add your desired toppings, serve and enjoy!

How to Serve Sweet Potato Pie

We recommend enjoying your delicious sweet potato pie after it has had a chance to cool for a few minutes. This allows your pie to cool and set before you serve and enjoy it. You may also enjoy serving your pie after it has had a chance to chill in the fridge. 

Topping Ideas

Sweet potato pie, like pumpkin pie, is delicious when served with a topping. Here are a few topping ideas to enjoy on your sweet potato pie:

Whipped cream

Cool whip

Marshmallow fluff

Melted marshmallows

Toasted marshmallows 

Tips and Tricks

How to keep your crust edges from burning. One important trick to note when baking, a pie in the oven is hard to keep the edges from burning.

Sometimes the crust of your pie will bake faster than the filling, making it important to know what to do. 

The best way to keep your pie crust from burning, is allow it to bake, then check on your pie halfway through.

If your crust is looking like it is done, but your filling is not yet fully baked, wrap the edges of your pie, or the top of your pie in aluminum foil. This will prevent your pie crust from burning. 

slice of sweet potato pie white background

How to Store Sweet Potato Pie

At room temperature. We do not recommend that you leave your sweet potato pie at room temperature any longer than two hours before it goes bad. 

In the fridge. Any leftover sweet potato pie may be stored in an airtight container, or sealed in a plastic storage bag, then placed into the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. 

Can You Freeze Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie?

Although we believe that sweet potato pie tastes the absolute best when it is fresh, you may freeze leftover sweet potato pie if desired.

Make sure to seal in an airtight container, or in a plastic freezer bag before placing into the freezer. Freeze up to three months. 

How To Reheat Sweet Potato Pie

In the oven. To reheat a pie in the oven, place your pie plate into a cold oven, especially if you are using a glass pie dish. Once the pie is in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F.

Heat for approximately 15 to 20 minutes or until your pie is warmed. If you are worried about your pie crust burning, you can always cover the pie in aluminum foil to help it warm thoroughly without burning. 

In the microwave. A slice of pie can easily be reheated in the microwave. To do this place your slice of pie on a microwave safe plate and cover with a lightly damp paper towel. Microwave for one to two minutes until your pie is warm. 

In the air fryer. You may also reheat a slice or two of leftover sweet potato pie in the air fryer if desired.

Placed your slice of pie into the air fryer basket. Then heat your air fryer to 350°F. Air fry for approximately 5 to 8 minutes, or just until your slice of pie is warmed. 

Variations

Sweet potato pie is very similar to pumpkin pie. Because of this, we are going to show you a few different variations of this pie recipe that you can make, using different ingredients. 

Butternut Squash. You can easily use this sweet potato pie recipe, to make squash pie.

To make it, you will simply cook your squash, so that it is soft, then scoop out the filling of the squash.

Otherwise, prepare the recipe as instructed above, simply substituting, sweet potatoes for squash. 

Pumpkin. This sweet potato pie recipe is also delicious when made with pumpkin purée.

You can use canned pumpkin or fresh pie pumpkins that have been baked.

Simply substitute pumpkin for the amount of sweet potatoes called for in this recipe, otherwise you can prepare as instructed above. 

Easy Substitutions 

Heavy Cream. If you want a creamier pie, then substituting cold milk for heavy cream is a delicious option. 

White sugar. Changing out your sugar for granulated sugar will also assist in changing the overall taste and texture of your pie. If you want to mix things up, then substituting the sugar is always a good option. 

Canned or frozen potatoes. Although we recommend using fresh sweet potatoes, you can also mix things up and use canned or frozen sweet potatoes.

For using canned potatoes, you will simply want to drain some of the excess liquid, then mash up the potatoes before adding them to your mixing bowl.

For frozen potatoes, we recommend thawing the potatoes so they could be mashed, then adding in your other ingredients to the mix. 

vertical piece of sweet potato pie

FAQ

How do I know when my homemade sweet potato pie is done?

The best way to tell when your pie is done is to insert a toothpick or a knife into the center of your pie. If it comes out clean, then your pie is done. You also want to make sure that the center of your pie is set, and not gooey or liquid any longer. 

Why is my pie runny?

Most likely your pie is runny because it has not baked long enough. We recommend that you continue baking a pie until it is set. If you are worried that your crust will burn, simply wrap it in aluminum foil and continue baking the pie. 

Can you make sweet potato pie ahead of time?

Yes, sweet potato pie can be made in advance and either kept in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days, covered in plastic, or sealed securely, or it may be frozen for up to three months. 

How long does sweet potato pie last?

At room temperature, sweet potato pie should not be kept any longer than two hours before it goes bad. However, if your potato pie is stored in the fridge in an airtight container or sealed, it will last up to 3 to 4 days. You may also freeze pie for up to three months. 

Do I need to refrigerate sweet potato pie?

Yes, after your pie has been baked, and slightly cool, it should be refrigerated until you are ready to serve. Do not leave your pie out at room temperature any longer than two hours. 

The Best Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie

This recipe makes a fabulous version of Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe. If you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia, then this recipe is definitely one you should try out. It reminds you of the good old days, and grandma’s delicious home cooking. 

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Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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Faith
Faith Has been cooking and baking for many years! she loves to share her recipes with the world, and hopes you will enjoy them too!

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