Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort dessert with irresistible flavor, the Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie is absolutely it. This recipe marries the creamy richness of sweet potatoes with a luxuriously gooey layer of salted caramel, all nestled in a buttery crust. Every slice is an experience: sweet, lightly spiced, a touch salty, and sure to steal the spotlight whether you’re hosting a holiday meal or craving something special for a quiet night in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about making Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie is that every ingredient shines in its own way. Each element, from the humble sweet potatoes to the splash of vanilla, brings something important to the table, ensuring that the final dessert is brimming with flavor, velvety texture, and stunning color.

• Pre-made pie crust: Super convenient, flaky, and a perfect base for all the rich, sweet filling.
• Mashed sweet potatoes (2 cups): Roast your own for deeper flavor and creamy texture—they’re the star of the show!
• Brown sugar (1 cup): Adds rich molasses notes that complement the sweet potatoes beautifully.
• Heavy cream (1/2 cup): Lends unforgettable silkiness to the filling, making every bite luxuriously smooth.
• Unsalted butter (1/4 cup, melted): Pulls the pie together and adds a warm, buttery undertone.
• Large eggs (2): Essential for binding the filling, ensuring it sets up perfectly.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A splash of vanilla makes the flavors pop in the finished pie.
• Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Classic spice for warmth and that unmistakable sweet potato pie aroma.
• Ground nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Just a hint adds depth and complexity.
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in every bite.
• Salted caramel sauce (1/2 cup): This is the magic that takes the whole pie over the top; homemade or store-bought both work!
• Extra sea salt for topping: Just a pinch finishes it off with a beautiful salty crunch.

How to Make Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie

Step 1: Bake and Mash the Sweet Potatoes

You’ll start by scrubbing and baking your sweet potatoes in a preheated 350°F oven for about 45 minutes or until they’re fork-tender. The natural sugars caramelize and the texture becomes perfect for mashing. Let them cool, then peel away the skins and mash until completely smooth and creamy—no lumps allowed!

Step 2: Mix the Filling

In a large mixing bowl, blend your mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar, heavy cream, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This is where the warmth really develops—the spices infuse every mouthful with comfort while the cream and butter create luscious smoothness. Give everything a good stir until the mixture is totally homogenous and silky.

Step 3: Prepare the Pie Crust

Roll out your pre-made pie crust and fit it gently into your pie plate. Press it into the edges and crimp the sides for that classic homey touch. The crust only needs a minute or two of your care, but it contributes immensely with its flaky, golden bite underneath all that creamy filling.

Step 4: Fill and Bake

Pour the sweet potato mixture into your prepared crust, smoothing the top with a spatula for even baking. Pop the pie into your preheated oven and let it bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. As it bakes, your kitchen will smell outrageously good!

Step 5: Cool the Pie

Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 30 minutes. This not only helps the pie set further for clean slicing but allows the flavors to develop and settle.

Step 6: Add the Salted Caramel Topping

Here’s where the “wow” factor really kicks in: drizzle your salted caramel sauce generously over the cooled pie, letting it cascade down the sides and fill every little dip and swirl. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt on top for that signature sweet-and-salty finish that defines Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie.

Step 7: Slice and Savor

Grab your sharpest knife, slice generous wedges, and serve up the goodness. Every forkful delivers creamy, buttery, spiced filling with a hit of gooey salted caramel. It’s a celebration in every bite!

How to Serve Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie

Garnishes

A little extra flair goes a long way! Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream right before serving. A light scatter of toasted pecans or walnuts on top brings lovely crunch and nuttiness to balance the filling. Don’t be shy with another tiny pinch of flaky salt—it’s the secret to making those caramel notes absolutely sing.

Side Dishes

Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie pairs beautifully with classic fall and winter flavors. Consider serving it alongside mulled cider, hot chocolate, or a spicy chai tea. At holiday meals, it nestles in perfectly between roasted turkey or ham and a crisp green salad, rounding off your table with sweet finesse.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try baking mini pies in individual tart shells so everyone has their own delightful treat. Alternatively, serve slices with a drizzle of extra caramel in a festive zigzag, or add a dusting of cinnamon for bakery-style elegance. You could even layer slices with whipped cream in mason jars for a charming dessert parfait—the Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie possibilities are endless!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie at its best, cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. It’ll stay delicious for up to four days. The flavors actually deepen and mellow, making every leftover slice just as delightful (if not more so) than the first!

Freezing

If you’d like to prepare this pie ahead, it freezes beautifully. Wrap the fully cooled pie (without caramel topping, if possible) tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and stash in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then finish with a fresh drizzle of caramel and sprinkle of salt.

Reheating

To bring leftover Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie back to life, warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or reheat the entire pie in a low oven (about 300°F) for 10-15 minutes. Just add caramel and salt after reheating for that just-baked magic!

FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this pie?

Yes, you can substitute canned sweet potatoes in a pinch. Just be sure to drain and mash them thoroughly, and check that they’re not pre-sweetened. Roasting fresh sweet potatoes imparts a richer flavor, but canned works for busy days!

What’s the best way to make homemade salted caramel sauce?

Simply melt 1 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns amber, then whisk in 6 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Finish with a healthy pinch of sea salt. Let it cool before drizzling over your Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie.

How do I know when the pie is fully baked?

The pie is done when the filling is puffed, set around the edges, and only a slight wobble remains in the center. A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs.

Can I make Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap in full-fat coconut milk for heavy cream and use a dairy-free butter alternative. Many store-bought pie crusts and caramel sauces also have dairy-free options—just check the label.

Should I serve this pie warm or chilled?

Both ways are wonderful! Warm slices emphasize the gooey caramel and creamy filling, while chilled slices are firm, easy to serve, and perfect with a coffee or tea. Try it both ways and see which your crowd prefers.

Final Thoughts

When you’re ready for a dessert that’s impossible to forget, Salted Caramel Sweet Potato Pie is the answer. It’s a celebration of simple ingredients coming together in perfect harmony, always a hit at any gathering or quiet night in. I hope you try it soon—you might just find your new favorite slice!

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