Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
I’ve always found sweet potato pie to be irresistible. However, I didn’t know what I was missing until I sampled the Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie recipe for the first time.
This dessert’s soulful experience stems from its sweet and savory flavor combo, velvety texture, and comforting spices.
When it comes to Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie, think outside the pie pan. It’s a hallmark of African American food and a symbol of its illustrious history.
The recipe for this pie has been passed down through African-American families for centuries, with each new generation adding its own special touch. It’s a meal that unites families and friends, and each serving is infused with memories, customs, and affection.
But the pie’s cultural importance isn’t all that sets it apart from others. The flavor and smoothness are out of this world.
The center is silky and decadent thanks to the mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, and evaporated milk. The pie is elevated by the addition of warm seasonings like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
A group of my friends who had never had Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie before were recently treated to one I prepared for them.
They couldn’t get enough of this sweet treat because of how amazing it tasted and felt in their mouths. This pie has become a staple at all of our get-togethers, and for good reason.
How To Make Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie
African American cooking has always intrigued me. I like Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie. It’s no wonder African American families have enjoyed this soulful dessert for centuries. It’s sweet, creamy, and full of warm spices—perfect for any event.
Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie directions will be provided. I’ll also answer some pie-making FAQs.
Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Ingredients
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or butter
- 4-6 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, boiled, peeled, and mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
To make the pie crust, combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut the shortening or butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, while stirring with a fork until the mixture forms a ball.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a 12-inch circle. Place the dough into a 9-inch pie dish and trim the edges. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork.
Bake the pie crust for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool.
To make the filling, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
Add the mashed sweet potatoes to the mixture and beat until well combined.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated.
Add the evaporated milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt to the mixture and beat until smooth.
Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
Bake the pie for 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
Serve the pie warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream.
What makes a Black folks’ sweet potato pie special from other potato pies?
African American cuisine is known for its distinctive taste and texture combinations, and Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie is no exception.
First, unlike most sweet potato pie recipes, this one makes use of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, which add a richness of flavor and a cozy, comforting atmosphere.
These seasonings, common in African American cuisine, give the filling a depth and richness that sets it apart.
Second, the filling of Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie is thicker and creamier than that of traditional sweet potato pies because evaporated milk is used instead of normal milk or cream.
The sweetness of the sweet potatoes is complemented by the faintly caramelized flavor added by the evaporated milk.
At long last, savory sweet potato pie isn’t limited to the dessert menu. It has been worn by African-American families for centuries as a symbol of their heritage and history.
What makes this pie so special is the fact that every family has their own distinctive way of making it.
What do you serve with Black folks’ sweet potato pie?
Sweet potato pie goes well with freshly whisked cream. Whipped cream’s lightness compliments the pie’s rich filling.
Vanilla ice cream is another iconic sweet potato pie pairing. Ice cream and pie filling complement each other perfectly.
Serve chopped nuts on the pie or on the side. Pecans complement the pie’s creamy center with their nutty taste and crunch.
Drizzling caramel sauce over the pie or serving it on the side compliments the sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
Coffee or tea complements a sweet potato pie meal. Coffee or tea balances the pie’s taste.
Black folks sweet potato pie recipe FAQs
What makes Black Folks’ Sweet Potato Pie a favorite pie recipe?
How do you prepare the sweet potatoes to be mashed?
If you do not prepare the pie crust from scratch, can you use a frozen one?
How do you keep your pie crust edges from burning?
How do you know when the filling is cooked?
Why is your sweet potato pie runny?
How can you thicken your sweet potato pie filling?
How do you cut sweet potato pie?
Pro tips for slicing sweet potato pie:
Do you refrigerate Black Folks’ Sweet Potato Pie?
Can you freeze a sweet potato pie?
Can you reheat sweet potato pie?
What’s the difference between sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie?
Which is better, pumpkin or sweet potato pie?
Can you make this pie ahead?
Are there any acceptable ingredient substitutes in a Black Folks’ Sweet Potato Pie recipe?
Can you use canned sweet potatoes?

Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or butter
- 4-6 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling
- 2 large sweet potatoes boiled, peeled and mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- To make the pie crust, combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut the shortening or butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, while stirring with a fork until the mixture forms a ball.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a 12-inch circle. Place the dough into a 9-inch pie dish and trim the edges. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork.
- Bake the pie crust for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool.
- To make the filling, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add the mashed sweet potatoes to the mixture and beat until well combined.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated.
- Add the evaporated milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt to the mixture and beat until smooth.
- Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Bake the pie for 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve the pie warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
- This pie recipe is done when the middle of the pie filling puffs in the oven.
- Depending on your pie pan’s depth, you’ll have extra sweet potato mix.
- Refrigerate it for 48 hours in an airtight jar. You can also freeze it for three months in a Ziplock jar.
- With extra pie filling, make mini-Black people sweet potato pies.