Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
**Introduction**
More than just a dessert, Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie is a slice of heritage, a testament to tradition, and the undeniable star of the soul food table. This pie is characterized by its deeply rich, warmly spiced, and soulfully comforting character. The filling is velvety smooth, boasting the natural, earthy sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes, perfectly balanced with a symphony of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Encased in a flaky, buttery crust, each bite is a celebration of flavor and history. This pie is perfect for holiday feasts, Sunday dinners, family reunions, or any occasion that calls for a dessert made with love and legacy. You will want to try this recipe to experience the authentic, from-scratch taste that has been passed down through generations, creating a connection to the past while making new memories around your own table.
**Perfect for:**
* Thanksgiving Dinner
* Christmas Holiday Feast
* Sunday Family Dinner
* Juneteenth Celebrations
* Potlucks and Family Reunions
**Why You’ll Love This Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe**
**Authentic, Deeply Developed Flavor:** Using roasted sweet potatoes instead of canned creates a superior, caramelized depth of flavor that is the hallmark of a truly great pie. The blend of warm spices is classic and comforting.
**Velvety, Perfectly Set Filling:** This recipe provides the precise balance of ingredients to achieve a filling that is luxuriously smooth and sliceable, never runny or overly dense. It’s the perfect pie texture.
**A Beautiful Homemade Crust:** While you can use a store-bought crust, the included homemade crust recipe is tender, flaky, and simple to make, elevating the entire pie to a new level of deliciousness.
**A Dessert Steeped in Tradition:** Baking this pie is an experience in itself, connecting you to a rich culinary heritage. It’s a dessert that tells a story and is always met with appreciation and joy.
**Preparation and Cooking Time**
Total Time: 4 hours (includes cooling)
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories per serving: Approximately 380-450 calories
**Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Estimate):**
**Calories:** 380-450 kcal
**Protein:** 6g
**Carbohydrates:** 55g
**Fat:** 16g
**Fiber:** 3g
**Sugar:** 28g
**Nutritional Disclaimer**
aileen recipes is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
**Ingredients**
*For the Pie Crust:*
* 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
* 3-5 tablespoons ice water
*For the Sweet Potato Filling:*
* 2 pounds (about 2 large) orange-fleshed sweet potatoes
* ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ½ cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs, room temperature
* ½ cup evaporated milk
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
* ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
* ½ teaspoon salt
**Step-by-Step Instructions**
1. **Roast the Sweet Potatoes:** Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork, place them on a baking sheet, and roast for 45-60 minutes, or until very tender. Let them cool completely, then peel off the skin.
2. **Prepare the Crust:** In a large bowl, whisk flour and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. **Roll Out the Crust:** On a floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges as desired. Place the pie plate in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
4. **Make the Filling:** In a large bowl, add the peeled, roasted sweet potatoes and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the softened butter and beat until combined.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Beat in the granulated and brown sugars until well incorporated. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the evaporated milk and vanilla extract.
6. **Incorporate Spices:** In a small bowl, whisk together the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Add this spice mixture to the sweet potato mixture and beat on low speed until just combined and smooth.
7. **Bake the Pie:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the filling into the chilled pie crust. Bake for 55-70 minutes, or until the center is set and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. The filling may puff slightly.
8. **Cool Completely:** Place the pie on a wire rack and allow it to cool completely for at least 3-4 hours. This is crucial for the filling to set properly for slicing.
**How to Serve Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie**
* **Classic and Simple:** Serve a slice at room temperature, allowing the pure, spiced flavor of the pie to shine.
* **With a Cloud of Cream:** Top each slice with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
* **For a Decadent Treat:** Drizzle with a warm caramel or bourbon caramel sauce for an extra layer of richness.
* **As the Grand Finale:** Serve as the perfect ending to a holiday meal or special Sunday dinner, paired with a cup of strong coffee.
**Additional Tips for Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie**
* Roasting the sweet potatoes, as opposed to boiling, intensifies their natural sweetness and eliminates excess water, preventing a soggy filling.
* Ensure all filling ingredients are at room temperature to allow for easier mixing and a smoother, more emulsified filling.
* To prevent the crust edges from burning, use a pie crust shield or strips of foil around the rim for the last 20-30 minutes of baking.
* For the best flavor and texture, allow the pie to cool completely and rest for several hours, or even overnight, before serving.
**Recipe Variations of Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie**
**Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie:** Add 2 tablespoons of good-quality bourbon to the filling along with the vanilla extract for a warm, sophisticated note.
**Pecan Praline Sweet Potato Pie:** Before baking, sprinkle the top of the filled pie with a layer of chopped pecans and a drizzle of a simple praline sauce made from brown sugar, butter, and a touch of cream.
**Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Pie:** After the pie has baked and cooled, top with mini marshmallows and place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the marshmallows are golden brown and toasted.
**Freezing and Storage for Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie**
**Storage:** Cover the cooled pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
**Freezing:** This pie freezes exceptionally well. Wrap the completely cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
**FAQ Section about Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie**
**Can I use canned sweet potatoes?**
While you can use canned sweet potato puree (about 2 cups), the flavor will not be as deep or rich as when using freshly roasted sweet potatoes. If using canned, be sure to drain them well.
**Why is my pie filling runny?**
A runny filling is often due to undercooked sweet potatoes containing too much water, underbaking the pie, or slicing it before it has cooled completely. Ensuring the sweet potatoes are thoroughly roasted and allowing the pie to cool for several hours are critical steps.
**What’s the difference between sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie?**
While the spices are similar, sweet potato pie has a denser, more robust and earthy flavor compared to the milder, softer flavor of pumpkin pie. The texture of sweet potato pie is also typically more velvety and substantial.
**Conclusion of Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe**
This Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie is more than a recipe; it is an edible heirloom. It delivers a perfect harmony of velvety texture, warm spice, and buttery crust that is deeply satisfying and unforgettable. While it requires patience for roasting and cooling, the process is straightforward and the result is a dessert that carries the weight of tradition and the power to bring people together. This pie is a celebration of flavor, family, and culture. Bake it with pride, share it with love, and watch it become a cherished part of your own family’s story for generations to come.