Sweet Potato Pecan Pie: The Best Fall Dessert Combo Ever

Ever torn between making a sweet potato pie and a pecan pie for the holidays? Trust me, I’ve been there — and that’s exactly why this Sweet Potato Pecan Pie exists. It’s the best of both worlds: a silky, spiced sweet potato base topped with gooey, caramelized pecans. The first time I made it for Thanksgiving, my family practically licked their plates clean!

Prep Time	25 minutes
Cook Time	70 minutes
Total Time	1 hour 35 minutes
Servings	8 slices
Difficulty	Medium
Calories	~420 per slice (est.)

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How To Make Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Recipe

A. Essential Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need for this holiday favorite:

• 9-inch pie dish
• Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
• Hand or stand mixer
• Whisk and spatula
• Saucepan for the pecan topping

B. Ingredients

For the Sweet Potato Layer:

• 1 ½ cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes (about 2 medium)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Pecan Layer:

• ¾ cup light corn syrup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups pecan halves

For the Crust:

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

Substitution Table

Ingredient	Substitution	Note
Evaporated milk	Half-and-half or heavy cream	Adds richness
Brown sugar	Coconut sugar	Slight caramel flavor
Light corn syrup	Maple syrup	A bit less sticky, more earthy flavor
Butter	Coconut oil	For dairy-free version
Pecans	Walnuts	Slightly more bitter, but delicious

C. Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If using a homemade crust, fit it into your pie dish and crimp the edges. Set aside.
2. Make the Sweet Potato Filling:
   In a large bowl, beat together the mashed sweet potatoes, sugars, eggs, evaporated milk, butter, vanilla, and spices until smooth.
   The mixture should look creamy and slightly thick — that’s your perfect custard base.
3. Pour & Par-Bake:
   Pour the sweet potato mixture into the crust. Bake for 25 minutes to set it slightly before adding the pecan layer.
   (I learned this the hard way — if you skip this step, your layers can blend!)
4. Mix the Pecan Topping:
   In a medium bowl, whisk corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir in the pecan halves until they’re well coated and glossy.
5. Layer & Bake:
   Gently spoon the pecan mixture over the partially baked sweet potato layer. Don’t worry if it looks messy — the pecans will float beautifully as it bakes.
6. Bake to Perfection:
   Return the pie to the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the center is just set and the pecans are dark and shiny.
   You’ll know it’s done when the filling jiggles slightly in the center but doesn’t slosh.
7. Cool Completely:
   Let your pie cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. This allows the layers to firm up — trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Tips & Notes for Success

Baking Tips

• Use room-temperature eggs and butter for smooth blending.
• Don’t overbake. Overcooking can make the pecan layer hard instead of chewy.
• Shield the crust edges with foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning.
• Use freshly roasted pecans for the best aroma and crunch.

Troubleshooting

• Runny center? The pie just needs more time — bake another 5–10 minutes and tent loosely with foil.
• Crust soggy? Try par-baking the crust for 10 minutes before adding filling.
• Pecans sinking? The sweet potato layer was too soft; make sure it’s slightly baked first.

Variations

• Maple Sweet Potato Pecan Pie: Replace half the sugar with pure maple syrup for a deeper flavor.
• Mini Pies: Use muffin tins to create adorable individual servings — bake 25–30 minutes.
• Chocolate Twist: Add ¼ cup melted dark chocolate to the pecan mixture for a richer taste.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free crust — works perfectly with the same filling.

More Fall Dessert Recipes

• Cranberry Pecan Bars
• 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Dump Cake
• Pumpkin Pie Bars
• Quick Maple Fudge
• Apple Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a holiday pie dessert that’s guaranteed to impress, this Sweet Potato Pecan Pie is it. It’s creamy, crunchy, spiced just right — and honestly, it might just steal the spotlight from the turkey. Try it once, and you’ll be adding it to your annual Thanksgiving pie recipe list — I promise you, it’s that good!

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