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This easy Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow topping is my favorite way to turn a traditional Thanksgiving side dish into a delicious dessert.

This simple sweet potato pie recipe takes only 5 minutes to prepare because using a pre-made pie crust and canned potatoes saves so much time.

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Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe (with an Easy Tip!)

Our Southern Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallows makes holiday baking so much better (and easier) because there’s no peeling or cooking mashed sweet potatoes when they come from a can and the refrigerated pie crust is all ready for the sweet potato filling.

With a light and fluffy toasted marshmallow meringue topping, I’ll leave you to decide if this is a dessert disguised as a side dish or a side dish to be devoured with dinner.

I love shortcut recipes that make life around the holidays less hectic, especially when one like this even rivals my no-bake pumpkin pie and apple pie bites.

This sweet potato marshmallow pie has a deliciously rich flavor with a smooth and creamy texture – serving a slice of comfort food has never been so simple.

Why You’ll Love this Sweet Potato Pie with Canned Yams

  • Quick and easy to prepare in 5 minutes.
  • Uses simple ingredients with a few time-saving shortcuts.
  • Perfect alternative to pumpkin or apple pie.
  • Marshmallow topping is optional.
  • Broiling or torching the marshmallow topping adds extra toasty notes to this sweet treat.
  • Delicious dessert or side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday celebration.

Other Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow ingredients image

Homemade Sweet Potato Pie ingredients

  • Refrigerated pie crust
  • Canned sweet potatoes (Yams)
  • Light brown sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • All spice
  • Heavy cream
  • Lemon juice
  • Eggs
  • Granulated sugar
  • Water
  • Cream of tartar
  • Marshmallow creme or marshmallow fluff (Marshmallow topping is optional)
  • 9” pie dish
  • Stand mixer
  • Piping bag
  • Mixing bowls
  • Blender
Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow on a plate
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How to Make a Sweet Potato Pie

  1. Cook The Crust: Cook the pie crust per package instructions.
  2. Make The Sweet Potato Puree: Blend the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, cinnamon, all spice, cream, lemon juice, and eggs.
  3. Bake: Pour the puree into the pie crust and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. After this, reduce to 350°F and bake for another 30-35 minutes.
    Pro Tip: Use a pie crust shield (or make one from foil) to protect the crust from cooking any more.
  4. Make The Marshmallow Meringue: Heat the sugar and water to 240°F. Once the mixture starts to boil do not stir again. Beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form and pour the sugar water into the egg whites (while still mixing).
  5. Top and Toast: Pipe the marshmallow cream on top of the sweet potato pie and then toast it under the broiler.
    Pro Tip: Be careful not to burn it. Remove the pie as soon as it starts to brown. This can happen in a matter of seconds.
  6. Serve: Serve immediately. Enjoy!

How long to bake sweet potato pie?

Usually, sweet potato pie needs to be baked for about 45-60 minutes at 350°F.

step 1 Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow
step 2 Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow
step 3 Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow
step 4 Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow

Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Substitutions & Additions

  • Add Some Spices: Feel free to use your favorite spices in this pie. I love the combination of cinnamon and allspice, but you can use nutmeg, ginger, cloves, or make your own mix. 
  • Make With Mini Marshmallows: Instead of making a marshmallow meringue topping, you can simply sprinkle mini marshmallows on top and bake or broil until lightly toasted.
  • Skip the Marshmallow – Want to go more traditional like grandmas old fashioned sweet potato pie – feel free to leave the marshmallow topping off.

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe tips

  • Don’t use sweet potatoes that are canned in sugar syrup.
  • Make sure to drain ALL the liquid from the can. 
  • Allow the pie to cool completely before making the marshmallow meringue.
  • Use a wet pastry brush to brush away any crystals that form during heating.
  • You can brown the topping briefly with a kitchen torch instead of using the broiler.
  • If you prefer, you can boil, bake, or microwave fresh sweet potatoes instead of using the canned variety for this recipe (Just like the Patti Labelle sweet potato pie recipe!)

How to Serve Homemade Sweet Potato Pie

Slice the cooled sweet potato pie and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Sweet Potato Pie with Canned Yams Storage

  • To Store: Store your pie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze your sweet potato pie in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Does sweet potato pie need to be refrigerated?

Yes, sweet potato pie should be refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.

sweet potato pie in a round pan

Homemade Sweet Potato Pie FAQs

Can You freeze a sweet potato pie?

Yes, you can freeze your pie once it has completely cooled down. You can even freeze this pie with the marshmallow on top. The marshmallow won’t be quite as fluffy and light when it thaws but it will taste delicious regardless. 

Are sweet potatoes and canned yams the same?

Yes, sweet potatoes and yams are the same. Yams are one of many varieties of sweet potatoes.

How many cups of sweet potatoes are in a can?

In one (15oz) can, there are almost 2 cups of sweet potatoes, which is equivalent to about 2-3 large sweet potatoes.

Can I make a homemade crust?

You can absolutely make a homemade crust. Some people prefer the ease and simplicity of a premade crust, but making it from scratch can make it extra special.

Do you put eggs in sweet potato pie?

Yes, eggs are needed in this sweet potato pie. Sweet potato pie is a kind of custard pie so it relies on the eggs to bind the filling together.

Why is my sweet potato pie not firming up?

If your sweet potato pie isn’t firming up, it may be due to undercooking or an incorrect ratio of wet to dry ingredients.

Why is my sweet potato pie so dense?

A dense sweet potato pie is usually the result of overmixing the batter or using too much puree relative to other ingredients.

Is there a taste difference between pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie?

Yes, sweet potato pie generally has a sweeter, earthier flavor compared to the milder, spicier taste of pumpkin pie.

serving a slice of Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow

Other Easy Pie Recipes

5 from 7 votes
Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow featured image

Homemade Sweet Potato Pie with Canned Yams

Author — Jennifer Fishkind
Serves — 8
Sweet Potato Pie is an easy to make sweet treat for the holidays with a few shortcut steps. With a twist on a traditional Southern dessert, this pie is topped with a toasted marshmallow meringue that takes it over the top!
PrintRatePin
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Bake Crust and Brown Marshmallow 12 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Refrigerated Pie Crust
  • 1½ cups Canned Sweet Potatoes Yams
  • ⅔ cup Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon All Spice
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
  • ⅓ cup Water
  • 4 Large Egg Whites
  • ½ teaspoon Cream of Tartar
  • 7 oz jar Marshmallow Cream

Instructions
 

  • Cook refrigerated pie crust per package instructions.
  • Turn oven to 425°F.
  • Add the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, cinnamon, all spice, cream, lemon juice and 2 large eggs to a blender and blend until completely combined.
  • Pour into the cooked pie crust then use a pie crust shield (or make one from foil) to protect the crust from cooking any more.
  • Place in the oven for 15 minutes. After this turn the oven down to 350°F and cook a further 30-35 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before making the marshmallow meringue.
  • Once the pie has cooled completely add the granulated sugar and water to a small pot and heat to 240°F (checking with a candy thermometer) – you want to get to soft ball stage. Use a wet pastry brush to brush away any crystals that form during heating. Once the mixture starts to boil do not stir again.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks have formed.
  • Slowly pour the sugar water into the egg whites (while still mixing).
  • Mix until stiff peaks have formed.
  • Slowly fold the marshmallow cream into the egg white mixture.
  • Add to a piping bag and decorate the top of the sweet potato pie with the marshmallow cream.
  • Toast (slightly) under a preheated broiler. Be careful not to burn it, keep a watchful eye and remove as soon as it starts to brown. This can happen in a matter of seconds to be ready.
  • Serve immediately.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
  • To Store: Store your pie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze your sweet potato pie in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Tips:
  • Don’t use the sweet potatoes that are canned in sugar syrup.
  • Make sure to drain ALL the liquid from the can.
  • Allow the pie to cool completely before making the marshmallow meringue.
  • Use a wet pastry brush to brush away any crystals that form during heating.
  • You can brown the topping briefly with a kitchen torch instead of using the broiler.
  • If you prefer, you can boil, bake, or microwave fresh sweet potatoes instead of using the canned variety for this recipe.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 155mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 4036IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This pie was amazing! I only had can yams and I drained them and mashed them up and it was absolutely delicious. I didn’t have time to make the merengue, but it was delicious with Cool Whip and I will be making this pie for years to come! Everyone loved it!

    Reply

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe was really good. I made it with all brown sugar and all evaporated milk. Added a hint of clove and lemon zest. I also browned the butter with the spices first!

    Reply