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Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe With Condensed Milk (Easy)

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Let’s talk about a classic favorite with a twist: Southern Sweet Potato Pie recipe with condensed milk. Southern Sweet Potato Pie is often a Southern dessert that’s served around the holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Dinner. But it doesn’t have to be limited to those occasions.

This creamy, decadent pie is perfect for any time of the year, whether it’s a special gathering or just a regular weeknight treat. Let’s see how this delicious dessert can become a regular in your kitchen, no matter the season.

Most of my childhood memories revolve around the fall and winter seasons. There’s something about this time of year that floods my soul with comforting memories. Fall meant family gatherings, and I looked forward to Thanksgiving so much. All the aunts, uncles, and cousins would come together—about 80 of us at my mom and dad’s house. We played in the yard well after dark, catching up with cousins we only saw once a year.

It was a fun time filled with food, family, and fellowship. I miss those days. Every time I take a bite of Southern Sweet Potato Pie, it takes me back to that place and time when my only care was playing hide and seek with my cousins in the yard.

History Of Southern Sweet Potato Pie

There has long been a debate about what is better or more popular, sweet potato pie or Pumpkin pie. While I love both of these, Sweet Potato is higher on my list. The reason is that Sweet potato pie is lighter on the warm spices and slightly sweeter. Both of these pies have such a rich history in the South. Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t the same without either one. both are delicious Southern Classic desserts. You may be wondering what the history of sweet potato pie is though.

According to NPR’s Website, The origins of these two desserts stretch back to the 15th and 16th centuries, when European settlers brought sweet potatoes and pumpkins back to Europe from the Americas.

With sweet potato pie, settlers may have been trying to replicate the European dish carrot pie, a dessert with layered slices of carrots, according to soul food historian and James Beard Award-winning author Adrian Miller.

If you love Pumpkin Desserts, you have to try these Southern Food Junkie Pumpkin Squares. They are similar to Pumpkin Roll but in a very easy-to-make square form. 

Why You’ll Love This Condensed Milk Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

  • Rich and Creamy Flavor: The addition of condensed milk makes the pie extra creamy and decadent, enhancing the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
  • Holiday Tradition with a Twist: While it’s a traditional holiday dessert, this recipe can be enjoyed any time of the year, bringing a festive touch to any meal.
  • Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is accessible even for novice bakers.
  • Southern Comfort Food: It captures the essence of Southern comfort food, offering a nostalgic and heartwarming dessert experience.

If you enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of sweet potato pie, you might also want to try another seasonal favorite: my Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding recipe. This delightful dessert offers a unique twist with its own set of warm, spiced flavors that perfectly capture the essence of fall.

What Does Sweet Potato Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk Taste Like

Sweet potato pie made with condensed milk has a rich, sweet flavor and creamy filling. The sweet potatoes provide a natural sweetness and a slightly earthy taste, while the condensed milk adds a smooth, luscious texture and enhances the overall sweetness.

The spices, often including cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, bring warmth and depth to the pie, making each bite a harmonious blend of sweet, creamy, and subtly spiced flavors. The combination creates a comforting and indulgent dessert that is both familiar and satisfying, just like a classic Sweet Potato Pie.

This recipe was inspired by my Grandma Mildred, my dad always said she made the best Sweet Potato Pie. I can remember the day when my dad said that my moms tasted like to hers. I know that made my mom’s heart happy. Now I am setting out to make grandma sweet potato pie but with my twist on it. 

If you love sweet potatoes, you also have to try another one of my fall favorites: Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole.

What You Need to Make This Recipe for Southern Sweet Potato Pie

You’ll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, but let’s go over the basics:

Ingredients for Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Everyone makes Sweet Potato Pie slightly different. They all contain the same core ingredients but the sugar, spice, and optional ingredients may differ. The ingredients for this sweet potato pie with condensed milk are basic.

Aside from the sweet potatoes, you probably have the other items in your pantry and refrigerator. For precise quantities, refer to the recipe card further down.

Pie Crust: For the pie crust, you have two options: a traditional pastry pie crust or a graham cracker crust. While some people prefer the sweet potato pie on a graham cracker crust, I enjoy it with a buttery pie crust. For this recipe, I’m using a store-bought pre-made pie crust or pie shell. I like them to be buttery and flaky, as I think they complement the sweet potato filling perfectly. However, you can certainly make a pie crust from scratch if you prefer.

Sweet Potato Pie Filling

Sweet Potatoes: For this recipe, you’ll use whole sweet potatoes, which you can bake or microwave. Using fresh sweet potatoes is quite simple, but if you only have canned sweet potatoes, they will work too. For an easy method to cook sweet potatoes quickly, check out my recipe for How to Make Baked Sweet Potato in the Microwave.

Condensed Milk: Condensed milk is used in sweet potato pie to add rich, creamy sweetness, enhance flavor depth, and create a smooth, velvety texture while simplifying the recipe.

Eggs: Eggs are used in sweet potato pie to bind the ingredients together, thicken the filling, and provide a smooth, custard-like texture.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar in sweet potato pie adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and moisture, enriching the flavor with its complex, rich taste.

Melted Butter: Butter in sweet potato pie adds richness and a silky texture, enhancing the pie’s flavor and helping to achieve a smooth, creamy filling.

Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract in sweet potato pie enhances the overall flavor, adding a warm, aromatic note that complements the sweetness and spices.

Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Clove: Adding spices like ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and  Ground clove to sweet potato pie infuses it with warm, aromatic flavors that enhance its rich, comforting taste.

Sea or Kosher Salt: Works as a flavor enhancer. Salt balances out the sweetness and rounds out the flavor profile. 

Optional Ingredients:

​Orange Zest: Adding orange zest to sweet potato pie imparts a bright, citrusy note that complements the pie’s rich sweetness and adds a refreshing twist. To me, it is a secret ingredient.

Toppings

  • Whipped Cream 
  • Marshmallow Cream (fluff)
  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream

Equipment You’ll Need

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Electric Mixer
  • Potato Masher or Food Processor
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Baking Sheet or microwave-safe plate
  • Wire rack
  • Pie Pan-if using a homemade crust
  • spoon

For a comprehensive list of recommended equipment and brands I love, check out my Best Kitchen Essentials Checklist for Everyday Use

How To Make Southern Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk

Step-by-step instructions

  1. First thing, start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare Sweet Potatoes

  1. Wash and scrub sweet potatoes. Using a fork, prick holes around the sweet potatoes. If using the oven to bake them, place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you use my microwave method to bake a sweet potato, place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate or dish. For a medium potato, cook for 5-6 minutes or until the center of the potato is fork-tender. For three potatoes, cook for roughly 10 minutes.
  2. Once the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, you will remove the flesh from the skin. A spoon works great for removing the flesh. Use a food processor to process the flesh into a smooth pulp then add the mashed sweet potatoes to a large bowl. An alternative is to add the sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl and mash the flesh up with a potato masher or fork. 

Prepare the Pie Crust

  1. Lay out frozen pie shells 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time to thaw. Using a fork, prick holes in the bottom of the pie shells. If you have pie weights, you can use them. Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly brown. After baking, brush the pie crust with a little of the melted butter.

Make the Sweet Potato Pie Filling

  1. Add the eggs, condensed milk, vanilla extract, salt, and the rest of the melted butter to the mixing bowl and mix with the electric mixer or a heavy whisk until smooth and creamy. 

Bake the Sweet Potato Pie

  1. Pour the pie filling into the prepared crust and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Remove the pie when the edges are set and the center is still slightly jiggly. Once the pie is done remove from the oven and place the pie on a wire cooling rack to cool.  

How To Serve Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Southern Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk can be served slightly warm or at room temperature. Serve with a dollop of homemade Whipped Cream, Cool Whip, or a scoop of Vanilla ice cream on top of the pie. some folks even serve it cold so that is an option as well. 

Storage Tips

To store, cover the pie with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep it fresh for up to 4 days. If you need to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the pie for up to 3 months; just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. 

​Tips For Success

  • To keep the edges of the pie from burning, remove the pie about 20 minutes into the bake and cover the edges of the pie with aluminum foil. 

FAQ’s

Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use canned sweet potatoes if fresh ones are not available. Just be sure to drain and mash them well before using.

How can I tell when the pie is done?

The pie is done when the edges are set and the center is still slightly jiggly. It will continue to firm up as it cools.

What can I do if my pie crust is getting too brown?

If your pie crust is browning too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent them from burning while the filling finishes baking.

Can I use Pumpkin Pie Spice instead of the spices you have listed?

Yes, you can use pumpkin pie spice in sweet potato pie as a convenient alternative to individual spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It will add a warm, spiced flavor that complements the sweet potato filling. Just replace the combined spices in the recipe with an equal amount of pumpkin pie spice.

Yield: 2 pies

Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe With Condensed Milk (Easy)

This is a up-close photo of what southern sweet potato looks like completed.

Enjoy a classic Southern sweet potato pie with condensed milk. This rich, creamy dessert is perfect for any occasion and is easy to make from scratch.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 Large Sweet potatoes
  • 1 can (14 ounce) of Condensed Milk (sweetened)
  • 6 tablespoons of salted butter
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Teaspoon of vanilla Extract
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • 1 9-inch frozen unbaked pie crust (pie shell)

Instructions

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare Sweet Potatoes

  1. Wash and scrub sweet potatoes. Using a fork, prick holes around the sweet potatoes. If using the oven to bake them, place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you use my microwave method to bake a sweet potato, place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate or dish. For a medium potato, cook for 5-6 minutes or until the center of the potato is fork-tender. For three potatoes, cook for roughly 10 minutes.
  2. Once the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, you will remove the flesh from the skin. A spoon works great for removing the flesh. Use a food processor to process the flesh into a smooth pulp then add the mashed sweet potatoes to a large bowl. An alternative is to add the sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl and mash the flesh up with a potato masher or fork. 

Prepare the Pie Crust (shells)

  1. Lay out frozen pie shells 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time to thaw. Using a fork, prick holes in the bottom of the pie shells. If you have pie weights, you can use them. Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly brown. After baking, brush the pie crust with a little of the melted butter.

Make the Sweet Potato Pie Filling

  1. Add the eggs, condensed milk, vanilla extract, salt, and melted butter to the mixing bowl and mix with the electric mixer or a heavy whisk until smooth and creamy. 

Bake the Sweet Potato Pie

  1. Pour the pie filling into the prepared crust and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove the pie when the edges are set and the center is still slightly jiggly. Once the pie is done remove from the oven and place the pie on a wire cooling rack to cool.  

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