Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe – Southern & Soulful

There’s sweet potato pie—and then there’s Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie. Don’t confuse the two. This isn’t some bland, over-sugared grocery store version hiding behind a flaky crust. This pie tells stories. It carries generations. It’s made from memory, soul, and a whole lot of butter.

My first slice came from Miss Gloria’s kitchen down in Mobile, Alabama. It was Thanksgiving, and the air smelled like brown sugar and nutmeg. She served it with no pomp, no apology—just a look that said, “You better come correct when you eat this.” And she was right. One bite, and I understood. This Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie wasn’t just dessert—it was gospel.

Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie is a legacy. It’s the culmination of African-American culinary tradition passed down through fire and family. It’s got soul—real soul. The kind that sings through cinnamon and clove, that melts on your tongue and lingers like a Sunday hymn. The sweet potatoes are roasted, not boiled. The spices are bold, not timid. The texture? Silky, rich, unapologetically luscious.

So don’t mess this up with shortcuts. Don’t even think about using pumpkin. This isn’t a substitute—it’s the main event. Whether you’re baking for Sunday dinner, Friendsgiving, or just to have a slice with your morning coffee, this recipe is your ticket to real Southern flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deep Southern flavor: Spiced, buttery, and smooth with bold, warm notes.
• Roasted sweet potatoes: Brings out natural sweetness and depth.
• Rich and creamy texture: Perfect balance between custard and pie.
• Family-style comfort: Tastes like home, no matter where you are.
• Traditional with soul: Honors generations of Black culinary legacy.
• True to the name: This Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie delivers authentic soul food flavor.

Ingredients for Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie

• 2 large sweet potatoes (roasted)
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

Instructions

1. Roast the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork, place on a baking sheet, and roast for 45–60 minutes or until soft. Cool, peel, and mash.
2. Make the filling: In a large bowl, mix mashed sweet potatoes with butter until smooth. Add both sugars, eggs, milk, vanilla, and spices. Beat until fully combined and silky.
3. Prepare the crust: Roll out pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish. Crimp edges if desired.
4. Fill and bake: Pour the filling into the pie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
5. Bake: Bake at 350°F for 55–60 minutes, or until center is set and a knife comes out clean.
6. Cool: Let the Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. Chill if preferred cold.

Tips & Variations

• Use roasted, not boiled sweet potatoes: Roasting intensifies the flavor.
• Mix well: You want that filling smooth like jazz.
• Don’t skimp on spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove are non-negotiable.
• Try a graham cracker crust: For a unique twist with a bit more crunch.

Note

Avoid canned sweet potatoes—they’re too watery and often packed with syrup. Also, never serve it hot out of the oven; give it time to set or it’ll fall apart.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve chilled or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream.
• Pair with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
• Sprinkle crushed pecans on top before baking for texture.
• Add a drizzle of bourbon caramel sauce for an adult twist.

Nutrition Information (per slice, based on 8 slices)

• Calories: 380
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Sugar: 35g
• Protein: 4g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fiber: 2g

User Reviews/Comments

@AuntieVeeCooks: “This is how my mama made it. Perfect balance of spice and sweetness. No leftovers at Thanksgiving!”

@MoSoulFoodie: “I’ve tried a lot of recipes, but this one hits different. Roasting the sweet potatoes is key!”

@BakedByJerome: “Made this for my pop-up dinner. Folks thought I had someone’s grandma in the kitchen. Slam dunk.”

FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
You can, but you shouldn’t. Canned sweet potatoes often come packed in syrup, which messes with the flavor and texture. Roasting your own gives you a rich, caramelized base essential to Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie.

Is this pie overly sweet?
It’s sweet, but not cloying. The balance comes from using both white and brown sugar, plus those deep spices like cinnamon and clove. It’s dessert, not candy.

What makes this pie “Black folks” style?
It’s not just the ingredients—it’s the method, the memory, the soul. It’s roasted sweet potatoes, bold spices, real butter, and a whole lot of tradition. This is the pie made in church kitchens, family reunions, and soul food joints. It’s not reinvented—it’s remembered.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, it’s better that way. Bake it a day ahead and let it chill overnight. The flavors deepen and the texture firms up beautifully.

How do I store leftovers?
Wrap tightly with foil or plastic wrap and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days. You can also freeze slices for longer storage—just thaw in the fridge overnight.

Conclusion

Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie isn’t just food—it’s a cultural heirloom. It speaks in the language of family and faith, in kitchens filled with laughter and Marvin Gaye on the radio. It’s simple, sure—but it’s not basic. Every forkful delivers creamy texture, bold spices, and the kind of flavor that wraps around your soul and doesn’t let go.

It’s a pie that doesn’t ask for your respect—it demands it.

If you’ve never made one from scratch, now’s your time. Light that oven, gather your spices, and roast those sweet potatoes like your grandma is watching. This is more than dessert. This is tradition you can taste.

And if you want to know more about the roots of this soulful staple, read up on Sweet Potato itself—it’s been feeding people for centuries.

Ready to get real in the kitchen? This Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie is waiting.

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