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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Sweet Potato Pie (With Sweetened Condensed Milk)

    Sweet Potato Pie (With Sweetened Condensed Milk)

    Published: Jun 22, 2021 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 24 Comments

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    Pinterest pin: Old fashioned fall dessert - sweet potato pie (slice on a plate).

    There are few recipes more southern than sweet potato pie! This great recipe is made with sweetened condensed milk, making it creamy with just the right amount of sweetness. Best of all, it is simple to make! Once the sweet potatoes are baked, it takes just 5 minutes to prepare the pie for the oven!

    Slice of sweet potato pie on a round plate with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Information
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • What's the Difference Between Sweet Potato Pie and Pumpkin Pie?
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Pie Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    This is one of those old-school recipes that you could find taped on the inside of your grandmother's cabinet. Whether you are looking for the perfect sweet potato pie to finish off your southern Thanksgiving dinner, or you are simply craving the delicious flavors, you are going to love this easy recipe!

    Using sweetened condensed milk in your pie will make it velvety in texture. And it is already sweetened, so no extra sugar is needed. That's one less ingredient you need to add. This pie is so easy to make, and tastes delicious! It is a fall favorite!

    In my opinion, you can never have too many sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving! So I love to add sweet potato crunch casserole and no-rise sweet potato dinner rolls to my Thanksgiving table too!

    Ingredient Information

    It takes just a few simple ingredients to make this pie! Here is some information on why these ingredients are the perfect combination:

    Sweet Potatoes - It wouldn't be sweet potato pie without the sweet potatoes! It is pretty incredible how you can make such a delicious pie from a vegetable. Fresh sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of beta carotene, vitamin c, and potassium. So if you are like me and love to eat leftover pie for breakfast you can do so guilt-free! (Okay, maybe just less guilt. I mean...it's still dessert for breakfast.)

    Sweetened Condensed Milk - It is easy to get confused at the store and end up with evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk. Sweetened condensed milk is exactly what it sounds like - it is concentrated milk (60% of the water has been removed) with sugar added. Evaporated milk is also concentrated milk, but it is not sweetened. You will find some sweet potato pie recipes call for regular milk, but they will not be as creamy and velvety as this recipe.

    Vanilla Extract - Classic sweet potato pie is flavored with vanilla extract. This is a distinct flavor difference that separates it from pumpkin pie. My favorite vanilla extract is Rodelle.

    Spices - Save the pumpkin pie spice for your pumpkin pie! Cinnamon and nutmeg are the only spices this recipe calls for. They are the perfect blend of warm fall spices! This allows the vanilla flavors to come through, giving you a more subtle, balanced pie.

    Sweet potato pie ingredients.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, mash the baked sweet potatoes together with softened butter. You can also use a mixer to blend these two together.
    2. Add the remaining ingredients and blend well. You can use a handheld mixer or a standing mixer to blend these ingredients.
    3. Pour into your pie crust of choice (I recommend that this perfect pie crust. Follow the par-baking steps for best results) and bake in a 350°F oven for 40-50 minutes. The center should still be jiggly like Jell-o. It will set up once it has cooled.
    4. Once the pie cools for 2 hours at room temperature, place it in the refrigerator for at least another 2 hours to finish cooling. The pie can also be made a day ahead.
    Step-by-step photo collage showing 1) mashing potatoes, 2) mixing all ingredients, 3) unbaked filling in pie, 4) baked pie.

    Expert Tips

    • For the best sweet potato pie, use baked or microwaved sweet potatoes. Boiling your sweet potatoes will result in a flavorless pie. It may also have a runnier texture. To bake the sweet potatoes, pierce the potatoes with a fork. Line a wire rack in the oven with aluminum foil. You can also place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for one hour, or until soft.
    • For a smooth custard, use a blender to puree the potatoes with butter. If you prefer a more textured pie, mash the two ingredients together with a potato masher.
    • Blind-baking your crust will help it cook all the way through, and will avoid a gummy crust bottom.
    • Skip the Cool Whip and serve your sweet potato pie with fresh whipped cream. Or for a fun variation, top with marshmallows and place under the broiler for a minute or two.
    Overhead view of two pieces of pie on plates, and the pie plate holding sliced pieces of pie.

    What's the Difference Between Sweet Potato Pie and Pumpkin Pie?

    I love a good pumpkin pie! As a matter of fact, I have an incredibly creamy and delicious pumpkin pie recipe! But there are some distinct differences between the two pies;

    Both pies have warm spices, but pumpkin pies usually have a little more spice flavor, with the addition of ginger and clove. Sweet potato pie filling keeps the spice as an undertone, and often adds vanilla extract for flavor depth.

    The texture of the pies is a little bit different as well, with sweet potato pie having a lighter texture, whereas pumpkin pie custard is denser.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I know the filling is cooked?

    You want the outer edges firm but the center still jiggly. It should look almost like Jell-o when you give it a shake. The pie will firm up completely as it cools.

    Does sweet potato pie need to be refrigerated?

    Sweet potato pie is considered a custard pie and does need to be refrigerated after two hours of cooling time. The pie is best served chilled.

    Can you freeze sweet potato pie?

    You can freeze sweet potato pie whole or in slices. Wrap in plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil, or store in an airtight container. They will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

    Can I use canned sweet potatoes?

    Canned sweet potatoes can be used but the texture may be slightly thinner. Be sure to drain the sweet potatoes before using.

    Overhead view of sweet potato pie with two pieces sliced.

    More Pie Recipes

    • slice of chocolate walnut pecan pie with ice cream on top and caramel drizzled all over.
      Bourbon Chocolate Walnut Pecan Pie
    • Side view of sugar cream pie slice on a plate, with 2 cinnamon sticks on counter behind it.
      Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie (With Heavy Cream)
    • Pie with berries and jam
      Huckleberry Pie Recipe
    • 5-layer Mississippi Mud Pie with a slice out of it.
      Mississippi Mud Pie Recipe

    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Recipe

    Slice of sweet potato pie on a round plate with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

    Sweet Potato Pie (with Sweetened Condensed Milk)

    Recipe by: Erin
    Creamy sweet potato pie with sweetened condensed milk is easy to prepare, and has the taste of a classic sweet potato pie, with just the right sweetness. It is a simple southern-style pie that you will find yourself coming back to time and again.
    4.98 from 77 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 45 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 50 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, Southern
    Servings 8
    Calories 301 kcal

    Equipment

    • Pie Weights
    • Pie Shield
    • Pie Plate

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound sweet potatoes (about 3 medium; 2 cups mashed)
    • 6 tablespoons butter softened
    • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 eggs beaten
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • pie crust
    • whipped cream (optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Scrub sweet potatoes and poke several holes in them with a fork. Place them in a baking dish or line an oven rack with aluminum foil. Bake at 425°F 40-50 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove scoop 2 cups of sweet potato out of the skin.
    • Press your favorite pie crust dough into a 9-inch pie pan. Line with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake at 425° for 12-15 minutes, until the edge of the crust just begins to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool while you make the filling. Remove the foil and pie weights before adding the filling.
    • Turn oven down to 350°F. Mix potatoes and butter together using a potato masher or an electric mixer. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
    • Pour into a pie shell and bake for 40-50 minutes. If the crust starts to darken too much, place a pie shield or foil over the edges. The pie should jiggle just a little in the center. A knife inserted into the edge of the pie should come out clean.
    • Cool at room temperature for 2 hours and then chill completely in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    • Sweet potatoes can also be prepared by microwaving until tender. Do not boil the potatoes or your pie will be soupy and have less flavor.
    • For a smooth custard, use a blender to puree the potatoes with butter. If you prefer a more textured pie, mash the two ingredients together with a potato masher.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 8499IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 1mg
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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      Check out the web story for this recipe.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

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        Recipe Rating




      1. Cyndikay

        January 04, 2023 at 7:49 pm

        5 stars
        The pie turned out beautiful 😍
        Love this recipe
        #stateofdinner

        Reply
        • Erin

          January 09, 2023 at 1:06 pm

          Fantastic! Thank you for sharing!

          Reply
      2. Gina M

        December 27, 2022 at 11:29 pm

        5 stars
        I've never been one for baking per se but sign of the times my mom said baking is good therapy so I thought okay and Thanksgiving time it was going to be tried well let me tell you this is the best the easiest pie that I have probably ever made or never made I think it is just perfect sweetness everything I have a husband that is diabetic has to watch sugar and his fits his diet and people who never eaten it adore it so I would never ever change from this pie they will always be made in our household the best!

        Reply
        • Erin

          December 28, 2022 at 6:05 pm

          That's fantastic, Gina! I am so happy that you enjoyed this pie so much. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

          Reply
      3. Kim M.

        December 08, 2022 at 10:31 am

        5 stars
        This was an easy recipe to follow. Baking the potatoes really is a game changer. This recipe has been stored in my "Favorites" as my "go to" going forward. All around excellent pie. Family loved it. But I may sneak in a 1/4 cup of brown sugar next time for a tad more sweetness.

        Reply
        • Erin

          December 08, 2022 at 11:46 am

          Thank you for sharing, Kim! I am so glad this pie recipe has been added to your "favorites!"

          Reply
      4. Regina

        November 23, 2022 at 10:03 pm

        5 stars
        This was the easiest recipe and it was so delicious and it came out just perfect my husband and I had a contest he made a different recipe and he ate all of my pie and he gave all of his pies away because mine was better I wouldn't change a thing and I will be using this recipe forever.

        Reply
        • Erin

          November 25, 2022 at 5:45 pm

          Congrats on winning the contest, Regina! 🙂

          Reply
      5. Gerri Ismail

        November 20, 2022 at 12:38 am

        Can this recipe be made with a prepared graham cracker pie crust?

        Reply
        • Erin

          November 20, 2022 at 10:18 am

          Yes, the bake time will remain the same in order to cook the custard.

          Reply
      6. Tracey Brown

        November 12, 2022 at 11:38 am

        5 stars
        This pie was delicious, the recipe was so easy, I wouldn't add or take away anything. My kids were ecstatic that I baked a sweet potato pie (1st time) and it came out BEAUTIFUL.

        Reply
        • Erin

          November 13, 2022 at 12:59 pm

          I am so happy that you and your kids enjoyed this pie! Thanks so much for sharing, Tracey!

          Reply
      7. Frederick Jackson

        November 09, 2022 at 1:49 pm

        5 stars
        i loved that you gave a choice to bake or micro...my choice is to bake ,,,its that added flavor missed cooking in microwave. I was taught to use condensed milk...me ill have sweet potato pie over pumpkin any day...also good suggestions and comments to the alternate choices.thanks for the recipe.

        Reply
        • Erin

          November 10, 2022 at 11:19 am

          Thank you, Frederick! I am glad that you enjoyed this post.

          Reply
      8. Madam May

        November 08, 2022 at 12:53 pm

        4 stars
        I love the texture of the pie but after mixing and a test taste, I added a cup of light brown sugar and a teaspoon of ground ginger. Everything else was perfect. Pie was sweet and flavorful.

        Reply
        • Erin

          November 09, 2022 at 9:30 am

          I am glad you enjoyed the pie and were able to customize it to your liking!

          Reply
      9. Renee H

        January 06, 2022 at 5:14 am

        5 stars
        This African American approves! This recipe is easy and delicious
        I love the consistency of the pie and I prefer this sweeten condensed milk to the evaporated milk plus sugar option.
        I highly recommend baking the potatoes (not microwave) as prep!
        Note: I added 1/3 more sweet potato and had enough to make 2 pies!

        Reply
        • Erin

          January 06, 2022 at 9:50 am

          Reading your review was such a great way to begin my day! Thank you for sharing, Renee! I am so glad that you found the recipe to be both easy and delicious!

          Reply
      10. Teresa

        December 02, 2021 at 11:37 pm

        4 stars
        An easy pie to make, but when I make it again I will add some sugar. Wasn’t sweet enough at all, even after adding cool whip.

        Reply
        • Erin

          December 06, 2021 at 5:23 pm

          I am so sorry that this wasn't sweet enough for your taste! Is it possible that you used evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk? I have never seen a recipe for sweet potato pie that called for both sweetened condensed milk and sugar. Usually, the sweetened condensed milk is enough to sweeten it properly. Let me know if you try it with both sweeteners! I would love to hear what the perfect ratio ends up being for you.

          Reply
      11. DeAnna

        November 24, 2021 at 10:48 pm

        5 stars
        Super easy and delicious! Used a store-bought pie crust And it was just fine. I doubled the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg because I like mine a little bit more fragrant.

        Reply
        • Erin

          November 29, 2021 at 10:57 am

          Thank you for sharing, DeAnna! I love that you were able to easily customize to suit your palate and that you enjoyed the recipe!

          Reply
      12. Jami

        June 22, 2021 at 6:43 pm

        5 stars
        I just love "old school" southern dishes that remind me of home. This is an awesome recipe! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
        • Erin

          June 23, 2021 at 8:28 am

          Nostalgic recipes are just the best, aren't they?

          Reply

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      Photo of Erin Gierhart

      Welcome! I'm Erin: Wife, mom, lover of great food, and former food safety administrator. I am passionate about cooking mostly from scratch recipes that bring comfort, without spending all day in the kitchen. Most recipes on this site can be made in under 30 minutes! This approach to cooking allows me to provide delicious meals for my family while freeing up time to spend with those I love.

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