So don’t mess this up with shortcuts. Don’t even think about using pumpkin. This isn’t a substitute—it’s the main event. Whether you’re baking for Sunday dinner, Friendsgiving, or just to have a slice with your morning coffee, this recipe is your ticket to real Southern flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deep Southern flavor: Spiced, buttery, and smooth with bold, warm notes.
- Roasted sweet potatoes: Brings out natural sweetness and depth.
- Rich and creamy texture: Perfect balance between custard and pie.
- Family-style comfort: Tastes like home, no matter where you are.
- Traditional with soul: Honors generations of Black culinary legacy.
- True to the name: This Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie delivers authentic soul food flavor.
Ingredients for Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie
- 2 large sweet potatoes (roasted)
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Roast the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork, place on a baking sheet, and roast for 45–60 minutes or until soft. Cool, peel, and mash.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, mix mashed sweet potatoes with butter until smooth. Add both sugars, eggs, milk, vanilla, and spices. Beat until fully combined and silky.
- Prepare the crust: Roll out pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish. Crimp edges if desired.
- Fill and bake: Pour the filling into the pie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F for 55–60 minutes, or until center is set and a knife comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. Chill if preferred cold.
Tips & Variations
- Use roasted, not boiled sweet potatoes: Roasting intensifies the flavor.
- Mix well: You want that filling smooth like jazz.
- Don’t skimp on spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove are non-negotiable.
- Try a graham cracker crust: For a unique twist with a bit more crunch.
Note
Avoid canned sweet potatoes—they’re too watery and often packed with syrup. Also, never serve it hot out of the oven; give it time to set or it’ll fall apart.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve chilled or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Sprinkle crushed pecans on top before baking for texture.
- Add a drizzle of bourbon caramel sauce for an adult twist.
Nutrition Information (per slice, based on 8 slices)
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Sugar: 35g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fiber: 2g
