
The sweet potato pie from Pioneer Woman delivers a velvety, soothing dessert that fits any gathering. It combines fresh sweet potatoes with cozy spices in a butter-rich crust, creating a flavor-packed treat that's easy to whip up. Add the bourbon whipped cream on top for a true taste of Southern charm.
Authentic Country Delight
This pie always takes me back to grandma's cooking with that perfect mix of sweet potatoes and cozy spices. I really adore how that splash of bourbon (if you want it) brings such amazing flavor while staying true to its Southern roots. It doesn't matter if you're cooking for something special or just want something sweet and homey—this dish always comes through.
Your Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: About 4 medium ones totaling 1½ lbs, cooked till soft for better blending.
- Pie Crust: One all-butter pastry for that crispy foundation.
- Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice to create that warm aroma.
- Sugars: Dark brown and white sugar, ½ cup of each for proper sweetness.
- Evaporated Milk: One 5-oz can to make everything creamy.
- Eggs: 3 whole eggs and 2 extra yolks for that luxurious texture.
- Bourbon: If you fancy it, 2 tablespoons adds extra warmth.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, softened before mixing in.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons to round out the taste.
- Bourbon Whipped Cream: Heavy cream, powdered sugar, bourbon and vanilla for the finishing touch.
Baking Steps
- Get Your Crust Ready
- Start your oven at 400˚F. Stretch your dough into a 13-inch circle and lay it in a 9-inch pie dish. Fold the edges nicely and stick it in the fridge for an hour. Bake it with weights for about 18-22 minutes, then another 10-12 minutes without them. Let it cool all the way down.
- Fix Up The Sweet Potatoes
- Put your sweet potatoes on a paper towel on a plate and microwave for 10 minutes, turning them over halfway. Scoop out the insides and blend until they're smooth.
- Mix Your Filling
- Throw in the butter, evaporated milk, eggs, yolks, bourbon, vanilla, both sugars, all your spices and some salt with the sweet potato mush. Blend just enough to make it smooth but don't go overboard.
- Pop It In The Oven
- Pour your mix into the cold crust and bake at 350˚F for about 45-55 minutes. You'll know it's done when the edges don't wiggle but the middle still jiggles a tiny bit. Cool it on a rack for 2 hours.
- Whip Up The Cream
- Beat your heavy cream with powdered sugar, bourbon and vanilla until it stands up in stiff peaks. Keep it cold until serving time.
- Time To Eat
- Cut the cooled pie and drop some bourbon whipped cream on top. Put any extras in the fridge.
Smart Tricks
I've made this pie so many times now and trust me, real sweet potatoes work way better than canned stuff. Don't rush the crust chilling part—it's super important if you want it to keep its shape. When you're mixing everything together, go easy on it. We want it silky not beaten to death. And wait till it's completely cool before cutting—you'll get much prettier slices that way.
Storage Secrets
Got some pie left? Wrap it up good and stick it in your fridge. It'll taste great for about three days. Want to save it longer? Wrap it tight and throw it in the freezer for up to a month. When you want some later, warming it up a bit in the oven makes it taste almost fresh-baked again.
Custom Touches
This pie works so well with changes. When I'm serving kids, I skip the bourbon completely. For my friends who can't eat gluten, I switch to a gluten-free crust. Sometimes I throw in some cardamom for a different flavor kick, and you can even swap in pumpkin puree instead of sweet potato if that's what you've got handy. Every little change brings something new to this family favorite.

Common Questions
- → What's better about fresh sweet potatoes?
- Fresh ones have a smoother feel and tastier flavor. Cook them until soft for the best results.
- → Why chill the crust before baking?
- Chilling keeps the crust from shrinking and makes it crispier during baking. Don’t skip this step!
- → How can I ensure the filling is perfect?
- It should be silky and not watery. Add extra sweet potato if thin or lower the milk. Mixing too much can add air.
- → Why let the pie sit before slicing?
- Waiting at least 2 hours lets the filling firm up, so every slice holds together nicely. Cutting early might ruin it.
- → Do I have to include bourbon?
- Bourbon’s optional. It adds depth but will taste fantastic even without it in the pie or whipped cream.