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The Ultimate Brown Butter & Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie

Elevate your holiday dessert with this rich, decadent sweet potato pie featuring nutty brown butter and a splash of smoky bourbon. This heirloom-style recipe delivers a velvety, crack-free custard set perfectly in a flaky, buttery crust.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 420kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes They provide the essential earthy, sweet base and dense, smooth texture for the pie filling.
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter Browning the butter adds a complex, nutty depth that complements the natural sugars of the potatoes.
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream Adds richness and creates a velvety mouthfeel.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar It acts as the primary sweetener to help achieve a silky, caramelized custard consistency.
  • 3 pieces large eggs These emulsify the filling and ensure it sets into a firm, sliceable wedge.
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon It introduces a subtle warmth and oaky aroma that balances the sweetness.
  • 2 teaspoons spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger) Adds the classic warmth associated with autumnal pies.
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt Balances the sweetness and enhances the potato flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Provides aromatic depth.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F, prick potatoes with a fork, and roast on a baking sheet until very tender, about 60 minutes.
    Step 1 of making The Ultimate Brown Butter & Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie: Whole roasted sweet potatoes on a tray, raw stage.
  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, then set aside.
    Step 2 of making The Ultimate Brown Butter & Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie: A saucepan with swirling amber-colored butter, mixing stage.
  • Remove skins from the warm roasted potatoes and mash the flesh until completely smooth, ensuring no stringy fibers remain.
    Step 3 of making The Ultimate Brown Butter & Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie: Remove skins from the warm roasted potatoes and mash the flesh until completely
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed potato puree, browned butter, sugar, salt, spices, and vanilla until fully incorporated.
    Step 4 of making The Ultimate Brown Butter & Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie: A whisk blending orange puree with brown butter in a bowl, mixing stage.
  • Slowly mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the heavy cream and the two tablespoons of bourbon until the mixture is silky.
  • Roll out your favorite buttery pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan, crimping the edges decoratively.
    Step 6 of making The Ultimate Brown Butter & Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie: Unbaked pie crust fitted in a pie dish, raw stage.
  • Pour the sweet potato filling into the prepared pie shell, using an offset spatula to smooth the surface evenly to the edges.
  • Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes until the edges are set but the center still has a slight wobble.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack for at least 3 hours to finish setting.
  • Slice the pie using a warm knife and serve, ideally topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.