This crumb topped Sweet Potato Pie never disappoints. The pecan-crunch streusel is really what sets this particular sweet potato pie apart, adding a decadent praline layer with a crunchy crumb topping. Serve a big slice with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream for a bonefide treat.
A Southern Classic
Sweet potato pie is especially beloved in the South and has adorned Southern dessert tables for decades. While it’s not only limited to the holidays, it does provide a tasty option for those who may prefer an alternative to pumpkin pie. Often we think of sweet potatoes as synonymous with Fall. They’re certainly available year-round but, at their peak in flavor from October through December. Sweet potatoes come in a rainbow of colors red, white, purple and the most common color, orange. They’re good for you and an excellent source of many essential vitamins that our bodies need. While I don’t claim sweet potato pie is health food it does take the edge off the dessert guilt a little, doesn’t it? Any excuse will do.
See How To Make Sweet Potato Puree at Home
If you’d like to make your own sweet potato puree, it’s very simple to do.
- Bake sweet potatoes with the skin intact in a 375°F oven for around an hour or until tender.
- Allow them to cool a bit, then using a tablespoon you can easily scoop out the flesh.
- Puree the flesh in a stand blender or using a hand mixer.
- This step could even be done in advance to save time.
- Pumpkin pie spice brings the seasonal flavor to this sweet potato pie and turns it into an irresistible Autumn spiced delight.
- You may also enjoy this recipe for Sweet Potato Souffle featured on Parade.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Sweet Potato Pie
Servings: 8 pieces
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch refrigerated pie crust or frozen deep dish
- 2 cups pureed sweet potatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Topping:
- 1/3 cup crushed vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
- 2 Tbsp cold butter cubed
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup English toffee bits (Bits-o-Brickle)
- 2 cups fresh whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spritz a 9-inch deep dish pie pan with cooking spray. Press the pie crust firmly into the pie pan. Prick the bottom of the pie crust with a fork. Place onto a baking sheet and into the oven to bake for 7 minutes. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together sweet potato puree, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and salt . Mix until fully combined.
- Pour custard into crust. Place into the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, mix together vanilla wafer crumbs, granulated sugar and cinnamon. Cut butter into the mixture using a pastry blender or two forks until it resembles coarse crumbs. Mix-in the chopped pecans and English toffee bits by hand.
- After baking for 30 minutes, sprinkle the pecan-crunch streusel over the top of the custard. Continue to bake for an additional 30 minutes until the custard is set when gently shaken and the pecan-crunch streusel is golden. Cover the edge of the crust with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning, if needed.
- Cool the pie to room temperature then chill completely before cutting. Overnight is ideal. Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, if desired.
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
Brandy says
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Melissa says
The cream is an important ingredient for this pie. You could substitute half and half but, otherwise, go for the cream.
Amy says
Can I peel the potatoes and boil them before pureeing them or is baking and removing the skin after the best way?
Melissa says
You can, but, baking is the absolute easiest way to do it. I baked some yesterday, let them sit for a bit and peeled them in minutes.
Leslie & Charlie says
We just sampled it after following your great recipe. It’s a Keeper! Thank you.
Melissa says
Thanks so much!
Shana says
Hello, can I just cook the pie without the topping?
Melissa says
If you like, yes.
Susan says
Hello, i used pure vanilla extract and it turned the poatoe like how pumpkin pie looks like. I was wondering if when baked,will it get back the orange color as before. I haven’t baked it as yet to find out. Thank you.
Melissa says
You can add a few drops of orange food coloring if you want to change the color. The vanilla isn’t enough to effect the color very dramatically.
Claudia Richardson says
OH MY!! I made this pie today and doubled it to make 2. It’s sooo delicious!
I took a picture to post as well :0) but I don’t see that option.
Melissa says
Wonderful, I’m delighted you enjoyed! Post a picture on Facebook, if you like.
Jessi says
Just found your recipe. My brother likes sweet potato pie, so I made this for tonight’s family dinner. He absolutely loved it. My cousin don’t eat sweets snacked on it and said she could stop eating it. Thank you. It made a great end to our night.
Melissa says
That’s awesome, thanks so much!
Catherine says
I love this recipe. I forgot the nilla wafers so I improvised with ritz crackers and the sweet/salty crumble was perfect! We ate this pie for 3 days breakfast lunch and dinner.
Delicious – definitely a keeper.
Happy Holidays.
Melissa says
I love that substitute, I’m thrilled you loved this pie as much as we do!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I definitely need to give this a try!
Ioana Cismaru says
I love a good sweet potato pie, looks delicious!
Jennifer Farley says
That topping is fabulous!
Cathy Pollak says
It’s not the holidays without sweet potato pie.
Joanne says
This has the perfect amount of filling to topping. Love it!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
If anyone knows how to bake the best sweet potato pie, it’s YOU!
Aysegul says
It’s the sweet potato time of the year. I’ill try this week 🙂