# Southern-Style Sweet Potato Pie With Brown Sugar and Spice Roasted sweet potatoes give this Thanksgiving custard pie a naturally rich texture balanced by brown sugar, citrus and warm spices. By The Signal Edition | Food / Thanksgiving Recipes Published: 2026-10-25T00:00:00Z Updated: 2026-10-25T18:06:59Z Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/thanksgiving-sweet-potato-pie-thx34 Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/c36a0e5751866941b6d8db014b72f6ad.jpg (A golden pumpkin pie surrounded by small white pumpkins and autumn flowers on a Thanksgiving dessert table; credit: Source: Los Angeles Times) ## Summary - Yield: one 9-inch pie, 8 slices; preparation: 30 minutes; baking: 80 to 95 minutes including roasting. - The recipe is written for standard U.S. volume measurements and includes make-ahead, storage and substitution guidance. - Eggs and dairy should remain refrigerated, and perishable leftovers should be chilled within two hours. ## How to make sweet potato pie Sweet potato pie is a major regional Thanksgiving tradition, particularly in Black Southern foodways, rather than the single national default. Nine percent of Americans selected it as their favorite Thanksgiving pie in YouGov’s 2024 survey. This original sweet potato pie is designed for a U.S. Thanksgiving menu and makes one 9-inch pie, 8 slices. Allow 30 minutes for preparation and 80 to 95 minutes including roasting for baking. Read the method before starting, bring refrigerated ingredients to the temperatures specified and measure the pan carefully; custards, cakes and pastry all respond to pan size and oven heat. The formulation follows established holiday-baking principles while using a distinct ingredient balance and method. [1](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2026/08/24/thanksgiving-pie-recipes) [2](https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety) [4](https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/50997-adults-under-30-likely-to-get-into-politics-argument-thanksgiving) ## Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds orange sweet potatoes; 1 chilled 9-inch pie crust; 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs; 3/4 cup evaporated milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 teaspoon orange zest; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ginger; 1/2 teaspoon fine salt. [1](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2026/08/24/thanksgiving-pie-recipes) ## Step-by-step method 1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Pierce the sweet potatoes and roast on a lined pan for 45 to 60 minutes, until completely tender. When cool enough to handle, discard the skins and mash 2 cups of flesh until smooth. Reduce the oven to 350°F. [1](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2026/08/24/thanksgiving-pie-recipes) 2. Whisk the warm sweet potato with brown sugar, granulated sugar and melted butter. Add the eggs one at a time, then whisk in evaporated milk, vanilla, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. For the silkiest filling, blend briefly with an immersion blender without whipping in excess air. [1](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2026/08/24/thanksgiving-pie-recipes) 3. Pour into the chilled crust and bake 45 to 55 minutes, until the perimeter is set and the center has a slight wobble. Tent the rim if needed. Cool on a rack for at least 3 hours before serving. [1](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2026/08/24/thanksgiving-pie-recipes) [2](https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety) ## Make-ahead, storage and substitutions Make-ahead and storage: Roast and mash the potatoes up to three days ahead. The finished pie may be refrigerated for two days and served cool or brought toward room temperature. Perishable egg- or dairy-based desserts should not remain at room temperature for more than two hours. Store refrigerated foods at 40°F or colder. [2](https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety) [3](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety) Substitutions: Pumpkin purée can replace half the sweet potato. Full-fat coconut milk can stand in for evaporated milk. Ingredient changes can alter set, moisture and baking time, so judge doneness by the visual and temperature cues in the method rather than the clock alone. [1](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2026/08/24/thanksgiving-pie-recipes) [2](https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety) ## Reporting sources 1. [King Arthur Baking Company: 20 Thanksgiving Pie Recipes That Belong on Your Holiday Table](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2026/08/24/thanksgiving-pie-recipes) (2026-08-24) 2. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration: What You Need to Know About Egg Safety](https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety) (2024-03-05) 3. [USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Leftovers and Food Safety](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety) (2020-07-31) 4. [YouGov: One-third of adults under 30 say they are likely to get into a political argument at Thanksgiving](https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/50997-adults-under-30-likely-to-get-into-politics-argument-thanksgiving) (2024-11-25)