Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

This Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie Recipe is a creamy and warmly spiced dessert, which uses roasted sweet potatoes and dark brown sugar for deep flavor. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Ingredients

  • 21 ounces sweet potatoes (2 to 3 medium)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 (9-inch) premade pie crust, fully baked and cooled

How To Make Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie

  1. Roast the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place whole sweet potatoes on a baking dish and roast for about 1 hour until fork-tender. Let cool for 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare the filling: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Peel sweet potatoes and weigh the flesh (12–13.5 ounces). Place in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth, about 1 minute.
  3. Mix in spices and sugar: Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Beat again for 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl.
  4. Add cream and eggs: Add heavy cream and eggs. Beat on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute.
  5. Strain for smooth texture: Press the filling through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl using a spatula to remove fibers. This step ensures a silky pie.
  6. Bake the pie: Pour filling into the cooled pie crust and smooth the top. Bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes, or until the center jiggles slightly and the internal temperature reaches 165–175°F.
  7. Cool and serve: Let pie cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour. Serve at room temperature or chill completely before slicing.
Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • Why strain the filling?
    Straining removes stringy fibers and gives the pie a velvety texture.
  • Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
    Fresh roasted potatoes are best, but you can use canned if drained and mashed well.
  • What’s the difference between sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie?
    Sweet potato pie is typically sweeter and has a denser, more textured filling.
  • How to avoid overbaking:
    Check for slight jiggle in the center and use a thermometer to confirm doneness.

What To Serve With Sweet Potato Pie

This comforting pie pairs well with classic dessert sides:

  • Whipped cream
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Candied pecans
  • Spiced cider or coffee
  • Maple syrup drizzle

How To Store Sweet Potato Pie

Refrigerate: Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

Sweet Potato Pie Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 330
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Sodium: 180mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this pie a day ahead?
Yes, it stores well in the fridge and slices even better the next day.

Why is my filling lumpy?
It may not have been strained properly or fully blended. Strain through a sieve for best results.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?
Use a hand mixer or mash well by hand and whisk vigorously.

Can I use a graham cracker crust?
Yes, but make sure it’s fully baked and cooled before adding the filling.

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Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time:1 hour 40 minutesRest time:1 hour 30 minutesTotal time:3 hours 20 minutesServings:8 servingsCalories:330 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

This smooth and rich sweet potato pie blends roasted sweet potatoes, warm spices, and cream in a flaky crust—perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy dessert.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Roast sweet potatoes at 400°F for 1 hour. Cool 30 minutes.
  2. Reduce oven to 350°F. Peel and weigh sweet potato flesh (12–13.5 oz).
  3. Beat sweet potatoes in mixer until smooth. Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt. Mix well.
  4. Add cream and eggs. Beat until combined.
  5. Cool at least 1 hour before serving. Chill or serve at room temperature.
  6. Pour into cooled crust. Bake 40–45 minutes until center jiggles slightly and reaches 165–175°F.
  7. Strain mixture through fine-mesh sieve.
Keywords:Alton Brown Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Hamdi Saidani

Hamdi Saidani has been a food and recipe blogger for more than 5 years years. He specializes in creating and recreating recipes from top chefs, making them easy to follow and accessible for home cooks.