Food and Recipes Desserts Pies Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie 5.0 (1) 1 Review It was with no small gasp of surprise that we learned milk is the official beverage of the Great State of Mississippi. We would've guessed bourbon. Mississippi folks know how to make the most of that oh-so-Southern spirit, as in this smooth and surprising take on a classic sweet potato pie. We'll let you in on a few secrets. First, bake the sweet potatoes. Don't microwave or boil them. You'll be amazed by what this single step does to the flavor. Second, prebaking the piecrust ensures that it won't be underdone when the rest of the pie has baked. And finally, don't be tempted to skip the orange zest. Together with a little bourbon, it balances out the sugar factor so your pie will be just sweet enough—but not too sweet. This dessert is perfect for the holidays or your next trip to the church fellowship hall. It's one dish you'll want to put your name on. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on October 29, 2019 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 3 hrs Yield: 8 serves Ingredients 1/2 (14.1-oz.) pkg. refrigerated piecrusts 2 large eggs 2 1/2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes (from 3 lb. sweet potatoes) 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1/4 cup salted butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (from 1 orange) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup evaporated milk (from 1 [12-oz.] can) 2 tablespoons (1 oz.) bourbon, divided 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar Directions Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll piecrust into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured work surface. Fit into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate; fold dough edges under, and flute. Prick bottom of crust lightly using a fork. Line crust with parchment paper; fill with pie weights. Bake in preheated oven until firm, about 10 minutes. Remove pie weights. Continue baking until crust surface is dry, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Whisk together eggs, sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, zest, and cinnamon in a bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk in evaporated milk and 1 tablespoon of the bourbon until blended. Pour mixture into prepared crust. Bake at 375°F until pie is set, about 50 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack until completely cooled, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. Beat heavy cream in an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed until foamy, about 2 minutes. Add granulated sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon bourbon; beat until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with pie.Note:To make mashed sweet potatoes: Wrap unpeeled sweet potatoes individually in aluminum foil. Arrange on a baking sheet, and bake at 400°F for 1 hour. Let cool 15 minutes. Remove and discard sweet potato skins. Process sweet potato flesh in a food processor until smooth, about 1 minute. Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Torie Cox Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Print