
Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
As long as I can remember I’ve always had sweet potato pie in my life. I think every last cousin, uncle, aunty, mother and so on know how to make my families famous sweet potato pie recipe. Or as we like to say Blacks Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe.
It’s so good. It rich and creamy and perfect especially when it’s still slightly warm. It just melts in your mouth. So I decided to interview my Grandmother because she always used to bake it for me when I was a kid and this is how I was introduced to this amazing sweet potato pie.
Below you will find my families Sweet Potato Pie recipe and an interview with my Granny about this delicious recipe. Enjoy

Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Rich and creamy Sweet Potato Pie Recipe that is simple to make by loaded with flavor
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes
- 2 ½ sticks unsalted butter Plenty of Butter
- 3 medium eggs
- 1 ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 cup carnation milk
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
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Boil Sweet Potatoes in water until you can stick a fork into it
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Peel Sweet Potatoes
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Mash Sweet Potatoes in bowl with masher then whip them with beater
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Then mix butter, white granulated sugar in bowl
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Beat in Eggs one at a time
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Then add Vanilla, Nutmeg and Carnation Milk
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Once all mixed up pour into pie shell
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Bake at 375 degrees for 65 minutes center of oven.
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Stick took pick into pie make sure it comes out clean
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Let it cool then serve
My Granny’s Interview
Do you like dessert’s and why?
Yes, I like desserts. Sometimes it just makes me happy to eat something that is sweet.
Where did you get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe?
I got it from my sister Cynthia who is older than me. I asked her for her recipe because I never liked any others until her’s. She could bake really well.
Were desserts something always incorporated in your family life?
Pretty much. Most of the time mom would always make pie, cookies, and cobbler, especially in the summertime. Often with every meal, there was usually a dessert.
Favorite desserts of mom?
Peach Cobbler. It was sweet and was good especially the top crust it was so buttery.
How many times have you made the Sweet Potato Pie?
I think I have made the sweet potato pie many times. I just follow the recipe and it’s easy enough for everyone to follow.
Fondest Dessert Memory?
Sitting down with my mom and she would cut me a piece of pie. She would set the table and we would just sit around and talk with all my 8 siblings enjoying dessert and family-time.
Do you think that’s missing today, families eating together?
I think that’s something that I feel is lost now, people don’t set the table and just talk anymore.
Your Favorite Dessert?
Sweet Potato Pie
If you like this dessert, you might want to give this recipe a try: Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar
Deborah
How many pies does this recipe make?
Alicia Suggs
Hello Deborah. This recipe yields 2 pies. Enjoy
Kim
Can you use carnation milk?
Alicia Suggs
Hello Kim!
Yes, you can use Carnation Milk. Sorry I didn’t specify in the recipe.
Have a great day!
kim
can you use carnation milk or condense milk? wrong email at first.
Alicia Suggs
Hi Kim,
Yes, you can use Carnation Milk.
Thanks
donna
Hi, Alicia – if i were to SUBSTITUTE the white sugar for brown sugar, what would the measurements be?
Alicia Suggs
Hi Donna,
Yes, you can make this substitution. You can simply substitute 1 cup of white granulated sugar for every 1 cup of brown sugar.So brown sugar and white sugar are interchangeable. However, you may notice a difference in the texture.
Enjoy:)
Charlotte Dugar
Can you imagine someone comparing a pumpkin pie to our most famous sweet potato pie…Lol imean really lol 😂😂😂😂
Alicia Suggs
Hahah! I know right!!:)
Stephanie Mahoney
It’s a very good pie .taste like my mom pie when she made them
Alicia Suggs
Thanks,
Glad you liked it. It’s one of my families favorites as well. You have to hurry up and get a slice first or you miss out.!! Haha!
Toni Washington
Thanks for sharing your family’s recipe. Happy Thanksgiving 2018. Our family is the sweet potato pie EATERS… Hahaha. My 21yr old son is home from college & had a special request for sweet potato pie this year. After trying a few store bought or paying local pie companies in the past does not give us that homemade pie taste & knowing its rare to find a great pie maker brought me TO researching something my family may 💘. I made enough for 4 pies following your recipe & when my son walked in @ midnight he sliced a pie & said… Oh my God momma this is the best…. I told him I made them from the black folks pie recipe, he asked me not to ever loose it. Thanks again for sharing
Alicia Suggs
Hey Toni,
This is such a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. Yes, after this recipe I can’t ever eat a store bought potato pie. I’m happy your son liked it. Makes me very happy. Enjoy the last few weeks of 2018. All the best
alethia Williams
Can you use almond milk instead of carnation milk
Alicia Suggs
Hi Alethia,
I have never tried making the pie with almond milk. But you should be able to use almond milk in substitution of the carnation. Enjoy
Wallace hale
can I use large eggs
Alicia Suggs
Sure
Tamica
Do u use a frozen pIe crust or thawed pie crusT?
Alicia Suggs
I use thawed pie crust
Eileen Rutzler
Is this Carnation evaporated milk?
Alicia Suggs
That is correct
Edith Hurst
I cannot wait to make this pie!! I love sweet potato pie! So much better than pumpkin!!
Alicia Suggs
Yes potato pie over pumpkin for sure
Tracy
Hi Alicia, what are the measurements For 1 (one) pie?
Alicia Suggs
Hi Tracy,
I would just half the recipe.
Kim
My husband also Adds brown sugar & molasses. StRuggling to imagine this pie without It.
Alicia Suggs
Give it a try.
Pamela
Do I understand correctly; you boil the sweet pot whole, in their skin? I look forward to trying this rec!
Alicia Suggs
That is correct. Boil the sweet potato whole then peel the skin off. Enjoy
Frankie Mathis
Thanks for sharing, it is alw a ys good to get those grandma and great mother’s recipies. So pure so great..WHAT ABOUT THE PEACH COBBLER RECIPE♡♡♡?
Alicia Suggs
Thanks!! Peach cobbler recipe coming soon.
Jazmere
Just for an estimate, how long should i boil the SWEET POTATOES for?
Alicia Suggs
Hey Jazmere,
For an estimate I would say 20 minutes.
Jonee
Hi, Alicia – I Just came acrOss your amazing looking recipe and can’t wait to try it! Thank you for sharing with us.
Alicia Suggs
Hey Jonee,
So happy you came across this recipe. I hope you like it.
Jen
Carnation milk, is the evaporated milk? I love sweet potato pie. Haven’t made it in years.
Alicia Suggs
That is correct Jen!
Bethany Pheneger
THE pie looks great, but I THINK a name could be found that doesn’t have racial conotations.
Alicia Suggs
Thank you. I’m sorry you took offense. I am black my family is black. So it’s Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie. Enjoy Bethany
Bethany Pheneger
Alicia, I did not see your picture before I left my comment about the name of the pie. I do apologize, and that comment was left with the best intentions–i didn’t want anyone to possibly be OFFENDED. The pie does look delicious and if that’s the family name for it, that’s fine with me! Again, i apologize if I did offend in any way.
Alicia Suggs
Hey Bethany,
No problem. I didn’t take offense. I hope you enjoyed the recipe. All the Best!!!
Lorraine Henderson
Thank you so much for sharing this sweet potato pie I have been searching for this recipe for years never could find it-the first time I ate sweet potato pie it was love at first bite and didn’t want to settle for punkin pie ever again-so I bow to you kind lady!
Alicia Suggs
Hey Lorraine,
You are the sweetest!! I’m so glad you found this recipe. If there are other recipes you would like to see let me know.
Laurie
A bit of an offensive recipe name, don’t you think?
Alicia Suggs
Hey Laurie,
No, I don’t think that it is!:)
Pam
HOW OLD IS THIS RECIPE? CAN’T WAIT TO TRY IT.🤗
Alicia Suggs
Hey Pam,
Honestly this recipe has been in my family for years!! And it’s always so good. Haven’t gotten tired of it yet.
Yes, let me know how it goes for you! 🙂
Gail wilson
Is this a regular pie crust or deep dish pie?
Alicia Suggs
Hey Gail it’s a regular pie crust.
Rebecca
Is 2 and 1/2 sticks of butter correct, that is 1 1/2 cups of butter. It sounds like A lot.
Alicia Suggs
Hello Rebecca,
Yes, that’s right 2 and 1/2 sticks of butter per pie. I didn’t say it was “healthy” but hey it’s good :), something you can indulge in once or twice a year. Enjoy
Alicia
Elaine Suggs
Hello AlIcia stumbl on your looking for diff recipes. Loved the sweet potato pie, and I Think we may be kiN.
Alicia Suggs
Hey Elaine,
Glad you found the site. More recipes to come. Hey you never know!! #suggs 🙂
Tracy
When you say “1 cup Carnation Milk” do you mean sweetened condensed milk, or evaporated milk?
Alicia Suggs
It’s Carnation Evaporated Milk.
Theresa
Hey, I’m sorry but is it evaporated milk or condensed
Milk? Sorry about the all caps but i cannot get it to stop.
Alicia Suggs
Hey Theresa,
It’s Carnation Evaporated Milk.
Stephanie
Just the way my Momma used to make IT! Yum!
Sonya Davis
Alicia, I think it’s presious you interviewing your grandmother. This recipe is just like my grandmothers, unfortunately I can’t interview mine. Cherish your time with family cause like your wise grandmother said “it seems to be lost”. Hope you share another recipe for the upcoming holiday. Merry Christmas.
Patricia
21/2 sticks of butter? Oh, so yes!!!! Thank you for sHaring a bit of history with dessert.
Alicia Suggs
Yes 2 1/2 sticks of butter. Yummy. Glad you enjoyed the little history
Sheila Gregory
Sounds delicious!! Always prefer sweet potato pie rather than pumpkin. Looking forward to making this recipe.
Alicia Suggs
Thanks Sheila I hope you enjoy it.
Michelle
This is very close to my mom’s recipe. She also used mace, and CINNAMON. I will try yours..
Alicia Suggs
Hey Michelle,
Nice. Yes it seems a lot of people use cinnamon and mace. But give mine a try and tell me how you like it.
Linda
Do you have the recipe to post for the peach cobbler you love best?
I love peach or blackberrY cobbler!!
Alicia Suggs
Hey Linda,
Great question I do!! I will be making the peach cobbler and a blackberry cobbler very soon. Look out for them in the coming weeks.
Jill Snead
No Cinnamon?
Alicia Suggs
No Cinnamon for this recipe.
Leah
Can I use large eggs instead of medium?
Alicia Suggs
You sure can Leah 🙂
Carol Massie
Can i peel the sweet potatoes first, then boil them? Or would that make them too watery?
Alicia Suggs
yes you can peel them.
kathilyn
Does your grandmother have a recipe for banana bread and banana pudding?
Alicia Suggs
Hey Kathilyn,
I believe she does. If so, If that is something you are interested in I will share the recipe.
Lynn d willis
Thank you for posting this recipe. I have been looking for a good sweet potato pie recipe for a while. I loved the little interview you did with your granny. I think it’s such a shame that this younger generation don’t know what it’s like to have family time sitting around the table. I was very fortunate that I got to experience and know the importance of that with my granny and great grandma.
Lynn dixon
Thank you for posting this recipe. I have been looking for a good sweet potato pie recipe for a while. I loved the little interview you did with your granny. I think it’s such a shame that this younger generation don’t know what it’s like to have family time sitting around the table. I was very fortunate that I got to experience and know the importance of that with my granny and great grandma.
Alicia Suggs
Lynn,
Agreed. I’ve had some of the best time hanging out with the older ones like grandma and grandpa hearing their stories and enjoying some sweet treats at the same time.
Will
A few things asked above. Evaporated milk is not the same thing as condensed milk. Condensed milk is super sweet, whereas evaporated milk has no sugar.
This is a good recipe, but I also like to use an even simpler recipe to further distinguish sweet potato pie from pumpkin pie. Namely, I would leave out the nutmeg or any spices and just use eggs, sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, and vanilla. If you love sweet potatoes you will really love this pie as well. Looking forward to try and your version with nutmeg though.
Alicia Suggs
Hey Will,
Enjoy the recipe!!
NATASHA
I love the nAME OF YOUR GRANDMA’S PIE, IT MADE ME STOP AND READ IT, THINKING NOW THIS HAS GOT TO BE A GOOD PIE WITH A NAME LIKE THAT! 🙂 I’m EAGAR TO TRY IT OUT FOR THIS CHRISTMAS. tHANKS FOR POSTING THE RECIPE.
Alicia Suggs
Hello Natasha,
So glad you were able to find this recipe. Let me know how it goes when you make it. All the best.
Alicia
LilBert47
Alicia,
As other reviews stated I was looking for a great grandmama sweet potato pie (cause in moving I lost mine).. I was so glad to find yours…it sounds fantastic and i will definitely be making this for christmas. you keep up the great work. and you know what really impressed m? You have responded to all of your reviews. thanks is a sign of a woman with great CHARACTER! god continue to bless you
Alicia Suggs
Hi,
Well I’m so glad you found this recipe as well. And thank you!!! I do try to get back to everyone as soon as possible. I hope you are able to make these pies and it turns out great for you.
Alicia
Sonjanique Smith
First, thank you so much for SHARING!! I’ve been trying to find a good recipe for sweet potato pies because I love them so much. I can eat a whole pie by myself. I see the name, read of the ingredients and said this may be it. Lol. I am using to do 4 deep dish pie crust. How would you say I increase the ingredients?? Thanks in advance for your time and response HUN!
Alicia Suggs
Hey Sonjanique,
Well, I know this is the recipe for you. I feel you, when a pie is that good you could probabley eat a whole pie.
So for 4 deep dish pies I would at least double the recipe and I’m sure that would be fine. Thanks hun let me know how it goes.
Alicia
GG
Hello Alicia, I haven’t tried your recipe yet but it’s similar to my own recipe I use condensed milk less vanilla and 1 stick of butter.
I appreciate how you named and uphold the family recipe. We as an African American nation has lost so much to other cultures that has stolen gifting of our Heritage and nature. We are proud people and should stand on how the LORD has blessed us as a unique people with many talents that had been mimicked and not acknowledged. Keep on trucking! Say it loud to be black and proud! No shame in the game of life!
Alicia Suggs
Well said GG. Yes so important to be proud of our history and to share it the way it was intended.
Much Love,
Alicia
Elizabeth
Thank you for sharing a piece of our history. I can’t wait to bake this pie!
Alicia Suggs
Hey Elizabeth glad you enjoyed it.
Alicia
Kristen
I Have not ever made a sweet potato pie before and i am super excited to do so
I roasted my sweet potatoes in the oven. I am going to make it for New year’s day dinner.
May you have a fab 2019
Alicia Suggs
Hey Kristen. Yes, just follow the recipe and it should come out perfectly. I hope it turned out well for you for New Years!!!
Alicia
Wendi
HELLO Alicia. I loved this recipe. Tried IT with the deep dish crust and it was great. Thank you so much. My family loved it.
Alicia Suggs
Hi Wendi, that’s Awesome!!!! So glad you enjoyed the recipe with your family.
Alicia
Sharon
HI Alisha, does this make one pie or two and are the pie crusts regular depth or deep dish? Thank you! I can Hardly wait to make this pie, love the Name of the pie, by The way!:)
Alicia Suggs
Hi Sharon,
This recipe makes two pies and it is with regular depth dish. Yes enjoy the pie!:)