Black Folks Purple Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
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When it comes to soul food Thanksgiving desserts, you already know the celebration starts with my Southern classic Black folks’ sweet potato pie. But let me introduce you to a contemporary twist that’s turning heads and stealing hearts… My Black folks’ Purple sweet potato pie!
Made the same soulful way as the original, this stunning pie swaps in vibrant Stokes purple sweet potatoes for a rich, creamy, jewel-toned dessert that tastes like tradition with a side of show-stopping wow. It’s everything you love about the classic, with a colorful, cultural upgrade!
What is a purple sweet potato pie?
A Black folks’ purple sweet potato pie is made with the same love, legacy, and soul as the traditional sweet potato pie we all know and cherish—just with a vibrant twist! This pie uses Stokes purple sweet potatoes instead of the usual orange ones, giving it a bold color and a slightly thicker texture. It’s still rich with soul food flavor, but with a head-turning twist that’ll make your holiday dessert table unforgettable!
But, don’t let the color fool you… This jewel-toned beauty is still packed with the warm spices and deep flavor that make it a standout at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even your New Year’s table. Rooted in the tradition of Black folks’ soul food cooking, it’s a modern showstopper that still tastes like the Southern comforts of home.
Where to get purple sweet potatoes
Got a Whole Foods or a local farmers market nearby? That’s your best bet! I always pick up my purple sweet potatoes for this pie recipe from Whole Foods, but you can often find them at farmers markets that specialize in unique or heirloom produce.
🥄 Shaunda says: Stokes purple sweet potatoes are often confused with Ube yams, but they’re not the same. And they’re definitely not Okinawan Japanese sweet potatoes or regular (not sweet) purple potatoes either. So be sure to double-check those labels when shopping, because you want the right purple for this soulful pie!
Ingredients
Unlike other potatoes that fade or dull when cooked, Stokes sweet potatoes stay bold and brilliant, resulting in a rich, creamy pie filling that’s as stunning as it is delicious.
And Stokes purple sweet potatoes might just be one of the most beautiful vegetables on the planet! With deep purple skin AND vibrant flesh, their color holds strong, even when blended and baked with what brings this recipe together: evaporated milk, eggs, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and soulful spices to make a decadent sweet potato pie.
How to make a purple sweet potato pie
My purple sweet potato pie follows the same soulful method as my traditional recipe, just with a vibrant purple hue! At a glance, here’s what to expect:
- Prep and roast: Preheat the oven, grease your pie pan, and roast the purple sweet potatoes until tender.
- Mash and mix: Peel and discard the skins, then gather the potato flesh and mix with the other filling ingredients until smooth.
- Assemble: Pour the mixture into a pie crust and smooth the top.
- Bake and cool: Bake until set, then let the pie cool for a few hours before slicing, serving, and enjoying every soulful bite!
What texture is this pie filling?
Despite its bold purple hue, this pie tastes just like the classic orange sweet potato pie you know and love, thanks to the soulful spices and silky evaporated milk. The texture is smooth and creamy, with just a touch more thickness than the traditional version.
And in my humble pie opinion (pun fully intended!), if you tasted it with your eyes closed, you wouldn’t even notice the difference! It’s that close to the familiar flavor of the original.
What to serve with a Black folks’ purple sweet potato pie
Sure, whipped cream or ice cream is nice, but if you want soul food dishes that truly complement your purple sweet potato pie, think bigger!
Pair it with classics like Black folks Southern turkey, soul food candied yams, or collard greens. For more delicious ideas, check out my full post on what to serve with sweet potato pie.
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Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.
Equipment
- Large baking pan
- Hand-held or stand electric mixer
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Stokes purple sweet potatoes (equals about 3 cups when softened and peeled)
- 12 oz evaporated milk 1 can
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 5 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted (or vegan butter)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash and scrub the purple sweet potatoes and set them aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- You can use homemade or store-bought pie crust, dough, or shell that may or may not come with its own pie pan. Grease the pie pan, place the uncooked pie crust in it, and set it aside.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and roast the sweet potatoes on it for 40 minutes or until tender.
- Remove the cooked potatoes from the oven, and once they're cool to the touch, peel and discard the skin.
- Gather 3 cups of sweet potato flesh.
- Add the purple sweet potato flesh, evaporated milk, brown sugar, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt to a large bowl.
- Mix with a hand-held or stand electric mixer until the ingredients are combined and smooth.
- Pour the sweet potato mixture into the pie crust.
- Bake the sweet potato pie at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until the pie is puffed and firm in the center. (Keep in mind, that oven temperatures will vary the cooking time.)
- Allow the sweet potato pie to cool for at least 4 hours before garnishing, then slice, serve, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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I haven’t seen purple sweet potatoes! I will be on the hunt for them now. Do they taste the same? The pie looks so good.
Try Whole Foods or Trader Joes. They taste the same in the pie because of all the soul food spices. The only difference is the beautiful regal purple hue!
This just looks so fun and festive (and it’s my favorite color)
Your favorite color – then you’ve gotta make this recipe!
This is stunning!!! Definitely something special to surprise my family and friends with
Right! The color alone is a conversation starter!
Oh my gosh, it’s beautiful!!
Thanks so much, Angelica! You’re guests will have the same reaction when you make this recipe!
That’s a nice looking pie! I can’t believe more people don’t use the purple sweet potatoes. I like this idea!
I know – I too can’t believe they’re still a best kept secret!
I think this would be so cool to make for Mardi Gras! Thank you!
OMG! Such a good ideas – purple sweet potato pie for Mardi Gras!!
I never knew there were purple sweet potatoes. Sure makes a pretty pie!
I know right! And I’m happy to introduce them to you!
Love the purple. We are going to have to try this one!
The purple just elevates this soul food tradition! And the purple sweet potatoes in a pie taste just the same as the original sweet potato pie.
Sweet purple potato is indeed sweet! We call it “Kamote” here in the Philippines..
Yes – purple sweet potatoes are also a delicacy of the Philippines!!
making me hungry.
Good, because this recipe is good!
Love everything in this. I think this must be made in our home
I’m so excited that my soul food purple sweet potato pie is a new favorite in many homes!
thanks
Very pretty 😍 never tried it but might have to make it one day!
It tastes just like the original sweet potato pie – just with a fanciful color twist!
Yum!
love sweet potatoes
looks yummy
looks good
I have never tried sweet potatoes in a pie…we always just boil them and add butter…but this sounds delicious
Oh, then you must try them in a sweet potato pie!!
Honestly Okinawa purple sweet potatoes make a very good sweet potato pie. They are sweeter than the Stokes ones you suggest but have more of the texture of orange sweet potatoes. My only suggestion if you really want the purple color is to add ube extract to the recipe.
I’m researching so I haven’t actually made the pie yet.I wanted to know why you use brown sugar instead of white sugar in this recipe?How does it change the flavor?
What is the difference between brown sugar and white sugar? The main difference is the presence of molasses, which gives brown sugar a distinctive flavor and moisture.