Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe With Condensed Milk (Easy)

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Southern sweet potato pie recipe featuring condensed milk—rich, creamy, and simple to make any time of year.

Why This Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe with Condensed Milk Works

Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor – pantry staples you’ll likely have on hand.

Southern classic made simple – no piping bags or fancy techniques.

Ultra-creamy & sweet thanks to smooth condensed milk.

Flexible for all occasions, from holiday feasts to cozy weeknight desserts.

What You’ll Love

Flavor-packed – sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter & vanilla combine for that perfect Southern taste.
Creamy & decadent texture from condensed milk, elevating it above standard versions.
Effortless prep – bake or microwave sweet potatoes, mix, and bake in just over an hour.
Versatile serving – enjoy warm, room temperature, or cold topped with whipped cream or ice cream.
Kid-friendly & nostalgic – fond family memories. Inspired by Grandma Mildred’s pie.

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.

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.

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 mom's tasted like to hers. I know that made my mom's heart happy. Now, I am setting out to make Grandma's 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

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 with Condensed Milk

To make this rich and creamy Southern sweet potato pie recipe with condensed milk, you’ll need:

Sweet potatoes (freshly baked or microwaved)
Sweetened condensed milk
Salted butter
Large eggs
Vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg
Ground clove (optional, but adds depth)
A pinch of sea salt
9" deep dish pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
Optional: orange zest or whipped cream for topping

👉 See exact measurements and printable instructions down below.

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 this Recipe

Step-by-step instructions

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

Prepare Sweet Potatoes

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.
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

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

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

Bake the Pie

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 it from the oven and place the pie on a wire cooling rack to cool.

Variations & Hacks

Make‑ahead: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze (wrapped) for up to 3 months.

Spiced twist? Add a dash of pumpkin pie spice instead of individual cinnamon + nutmeg.

Crust options: Use graham cracker crust for a sweeter contrast.

Serve & Store Like a Pro

Store: Refrigerate covered for up to 4 days. Freeze fully cooled in double wrap for up to 3 months.

Serve: Top with freshly whipped cream, marshmallow fluff, or vanilla ice cream.

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