Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie Recipe for Fall Comfort

Creamy buttermilk adds magical depth to this sweet potato pie that feels like a warm hug from the South.

Southern kitchens know how to create comfort through incredible desserts.

Rich orange roots blend seamlessly with silky dairy notes for an unexpected twist.

Grandmothers have perfected this recipe over generations, passing down secrets that make each slice memorable.

Seasonal spices dance across your palate with delicate warmth and subtle sweetness.

Baking this pie connects you to cherished culinary traditions that speak of home and heart.

Slice into this velvety creation and let nostalgia sweep you into delicious memories.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Sweet Potato Pie

  • Store leftover pie in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Keep pie away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
  • Place cooled pie in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap carefully with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or restore entire pie in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Avoid overheating to maintain texture and prevent drying out.
  • Remove frozen pie from freezer and let it gradually defrost in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Enjoy within 24 hours of thawing for best flavor and quality.

Tasty Things to Serve with Sweet Potato Pie

  • Culinary Delights
  • Rich caramel bourbon like Maker's Mark complements the pie's warm spices, enhancing the sweet potato's deep, earthy notes with its smooth oak undertones.
  • Create a luxurious maple whipped cream by blending fresh heavy cream with pure maple syrup, adding a silky Canadian-inspired touch that elevates the pie's rustic sweetness.
  • Brew a fragrant chai or cinnamon-infused black tea that mirrors the pie's warm spice profile, providing a cozy, aromatic counterpoint to each creamy bite.
  • Scoop premium vanilla bean ice cream alongside the pie, letting its cold, smooth texture contrast beautifully with the warm, spiced filling and creating a classic dessert experience.

Unique Twists on Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie

  • Gluten-Free Potato Pie: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or texture.
  • Vegan Sweet Potato Delight: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut milk instead of buttermilk, and swap butter with coconut oil for a plant-based alternative that maintains rich, creamy consistency.
  • Low-Sugar Sweet Potato Option: Reduce granulated and brown sugar, incorporate natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit to create a diabetic-friendly dessert with lower caloric content.
  • Nut-Enhanced Sweet Potato Pie: Add chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling or sprinkle on top for extra crunch and nutritional boost, creating a more complex flavor profile.

Why Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie Is a Southern Favorite

  • Perfect for busy parents wanting a delicious homemade treat that doesn't require complex techniques.
  • Celebrates autumn's warmth with classic sweet potato flavors and cozy spices that remind you of heartwarming family gatherings.
  • Takes just over an hour from start to finish, with minimal prep work and straightforward ingredients that most home cooks already have in their kitchen.
  • Serves multiple purposes- great for holiday dinners, casual weekend treats, or as a make-ahead dessert that tastes even better when chilled.

Ingredients That Make Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie Shine

Main Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes: The star of the pie, providing a creamy and rich base with natural sweetness and vibrant orange color. Choose firm, smooth potatoes without bruises or soft spots.

Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a tender, moist filling with subtle richness. Use full-fat buttermilk for best flavor.

Eggs: Act as a binding agent and help create a smooth, custardy texture in the pie filling. Fresh eggs work best.

Sweeteners:

Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help caramelize the filling, adding depth and complexity to the flavor profile. Brown sugar offers a deeper, molasses-like taste.

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Classic warm spices that complement the sweet potato’s natural flavor, creating a cozy and aromatic profile. Use freshly ground spices for maximum flavor.

Vanilla Extract: Adds a sweet, complex background note and enhances the overall taste of the pie.

Salt: Balances and heightens all the other flavors in the dish.

Baking Ingredients:

Flour: Helps thicken the pie filling and provides structure.

Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety texture in the filling.

Pie Crust:

Pie Crust: Provides a crisp, golden base for the sweet potato filling. Can be homemade or store-bought.

How to Bake a Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie from Scratch

Step 1: Transform Sweet Potatoes

  • Wash sweet potatoes
  • Place in large pot of water
  • Boil for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender
  • Drain water completely
  • Mash potatoes until ultra-smooth using potato masher or food processor

Step 2: Create Delectable Filling

Ingredients:
  • Mashed sweet potatoes
  • Buttermilk
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Ginger
  • Flour
  • Melted butter
  • Salt

Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl

Blend with electric mixer until silky and uniform

Step 3: Craft Pie Base

  • Select pre-made or homemade pie crust
  • Gently place crust in 9-inch pie dish
  • Carefully crimp edges for elegant appearance

Step 4: Fill Pie Shell

  • Pour sweet potato mixture into prepared crust
  • Use spatula to spread evenly
  • Ensure smooth surface

Step 5: Bake Golden Perfection

  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • Position pie in center of oven
  • Bake 50-60 minutes
  • Check doneness with toothpick
  • Look for golden crust edges
  • Filling should have slight center wobble

Step 6: Chill and Indulge

  • Remove from oven
  • Cool completely on wire rack
  • Refrigerate for enhanced flavor
  • Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
  • Enjoy chilled or at room temperature

Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie Tips for a Silky Finish

  • Boost Potato Smoothness: Use a food processor for ultra-creamy mashed sweet potatoes, eliminating any lumps and creating a silky-smooth filling.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a pinch of salt to bring out the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and balance the overall taste of the pie.
  • Prevent Soggy Crust: Blind bake the pie crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling to maintain a crisp, flaky bottom.
  • Customize Spice Blend: Experiment with spice ratios or add a dash of cloves or cardamom to personalize the pie's flavor profile.
  • Check Doneness Smartly: Insert a toothpick near the pie's center; if it comes out clean with minimal filling, the pie is perfectly baked and ready to cool.
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Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie Recipe


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4.5 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Southern comfort meets creamy elegance in this irresistible buttermilk sweet potato pie, a delightful dessert that whispers tales of home and hospitality. Silky smooth filling nestled in a flaky crust promises pure satisfaction for anyone craving a slice of warm, nostalgic bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

Sugars:

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed

Spices and Extras:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pre-made or homemade 9-inch pie crust, unbaked

Instructions

  1. Carefully submerge sweet potatoes in a pot of water, bringing them to a gentle boil. Cook until they yield effortlessly when pierced with a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  2. Drain the potatoes and transform them into a velvety puree using a masher or food processor, ensuring a completely smooth consistency.
  3. In a spacious mixing bowl, amalgamate the sweet potato puree with buttermilk, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, vanilla extract, aromatic spices, flour, and melted butter.
  4. Whisk the mixture vigorously until it achieves a harmonious, silky texture, incorporating a delicate pinch of salt to elevate the flavor profile.
  5. Carefully position the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish, meticulously crimping the edges for an elegant finish.
  6. Gently cascade the sweet potato filling into the prepared crust, using a spatula to create an impeccably even surface.
  7. Position the pie in a preheated oven at 350F, allowing it to bake for 50-60 minutes until the center sets and a toothpick emerges cleanly.
  8. Remove the pie and transfer to a wire rack, permitting it to cool completely and allowing the flavors to harmonize.
  9. For optimal enjoyment, chill the pie for several hours before serving, accompanied by a luxurious dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • Tenderize sweet potatoes thoroughly for a smoother, creamier pie texture by boiling until they’re extremely soft and easily mashable.
  • Replace traditional flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut flour to create a celiac-friendly version of the dessert.
  • Enhance flavor complexity by roasting sweet potatoes instead of boiling, which caramelizes natural sugars and deepens the pie’s overall taste profile.
  • Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, making the recipe more diabetes-friendly without compromising deliciousness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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