Aside from dessert, my favorite food on the Thanksgiving table is the sweet potatoes. And that’s probably because it’s basically a dessert that’s served with dinner. My mom’s sweet potatoes are always topped with cherries, pineapple rings, and plenty of marshmallows. Just how I like ’em! So I made this Kentucky Sweet Potato Pie using my favorite Thanksgiving side dish as inspiration!

What you'll need
I generally use just a hand mixer to mix the sweet potato pie filling, but you could just as easily use a stand mixer or a silicone spatula. You'll also want a heat-proof mixing bowl because you'll be working with hot sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
pie crust
sweet potatoes
butter
brown sugar
eggs
cherry bourbon
heavy cream
kosher salt
How to make Kentucky Sweet Potato Pie
You'll start by cooking and mashing your sweet potatoes. Then you'll add all your ingredients into the sweet potatoes and beat till smooth. I like to bury my butter in the hot sweet potatoes so it melts as I mix! Pour the mixture into your pie crust and bake!
Also, it has been very difficult to find cherry bourbon in Boston, so if you have the same problem, you can use regular bourbon, or you can use bourbon with a splash of grenadine. As long as your total measurement stays at ¼ cup, you can adjust how much bourbon and grenadine you want to use.
Common Questions
What does a Sweet Potato Pie taste like?
This pie has a texture similar to pumpkin pie and tastes like a sweet potato casserole in a pie crust. Unlike many sweet potato pies that are flavored with typical fall spices, this one is flavored with butter, brown sugar, and bourbon, making it extra sweet and delicious!
How do you know when Sweet Potato Pie is done?
The pie is done when it looks mostly set, but is still a bit jiggly in the middle. The pie will finish setting as it cools.
Do you eat Sweet Potato Pie hot or cold?
I generally eat this cold or at room temperature. Reheating the pie will melt the topping, but you could certainly eat it warmed up too!
What goes on top of sweet potato pie?
I like to top mine with toasted marshmallows, but a meringue topping or even a whipped cream would be delicious!
I had never tried sweet potato pie before I made this recipe, but now I make it every year. It's too good not to!
Looking for other pie recipes? Check these out:
Bourbon Molasses Chocolate Pecan Pie
Bourbon Pumpkin Pie
Looking for other sweet potato recipes? Check these out:
Maple Bourbon Marshmallow Sweet Potato Cupcakes
Did you try this recipe? Review and comment below, and share a photo on Instagram and tag @flourdeliz!
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📖 Recipe
Kentucky Sweet Potato Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust
- 2 sweet potatoes cooked and peeled, about 2 cups mashed
- ½ stick butter cubed
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup cherry bourbon such as Red Stag or Evan Williams Cherry
- ¼ cup whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt Diamond Crystal
Instructions
- Prepare or purchase your favorite pie crust.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Beat the cooked, peeled potatoes until smooth and creamy.
- Add all ingredients (I put the butter in first and buried it in the hot sweet potatoes so it would melt).
- Beat until fully blended and smooth.
- Pour into prepared pie crust and bake for 60 minutes.
- When the center of the pie is set, remove from oven and cool.
- Cover the top of the pie with mini marshmallows and torch until toasty! If you don't have a kitchen torch, you can use the broiler, but watch very closely because the marshmallows will burn very quickly!
This post was updated in October 2020 with an improved recipe, new photos and additional information about the recipe.
[…] Need some recipes? Try this exquisite Balsamic Strawberry & Basil Tart or this mouthwatering Kentucky Sweet Potato Pie. […]