27th Street Bakery Sweet Potato Pie Recipe: Cinnamon-Spiced Crust and Ultra-Creamy Filling

Desserts

27th Street Bakery Sweet Potato Pie Recipe: Cinnamon-Spiced Crust and Ultra-Creamy Filling

This 27th Street Bakery sweet potato pie recipe delivers the perfect balance of cinnamon-spiced crust and ultra-creamy filling that rivals any bakery version. The secret lies in slow-roasting the sweet potatoes to achieve a velvety texture, while a buttery, aromatic crust sets the stage for every bite.

I've perfected this recipe over years of baking, ensuring the filling stays rich yet light, with just enough spice to warm your soul.

The foundation of this pie starts with a cinnamon-spiced crust that's both tender and slightly crisp, creating the ideal contrast to the silky filling. Sweet potatoes are roasted until tender, then blended with eggs, cream, and a blend of warm spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger—that infuse the filling with depth.

The filling bakes to a creamy, almost custard-like consistency that melts in your mouth with every spoonful.

What makes this recipe truly special is the attention to detail that transforms a classic dessert into something extraordinary. The crust is baked separately for a perfect golden-brown base, while the filling is steamed briefly before baking to prevent cracking.

This technique ensures a restaurant-quality finish that's impressive enough for holidays but simple enough for weeknight desserts.

For an extra touch of indulgence, consider adding a pecan topping or a marshmallow meringue before baking. Each variation brings its own unique flavor profile, but the core recipe remains foolproof. Once you taste this pie, you'll understand why it's a crowd favorite—creamy, spiced, and utterly irresistible.

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Difficulty
Medium
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Diet
Vegetarian
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Calories
Med Cal

Ingredients for 27th street bakery sweet potato pie

Pantry staples meet bakery magic in this velvety sweet potato pie with a spiced crust.

Ingredient Amount Notes
Sweet Potatoes 🍠 3 lbs Medium-sized, peeled and cubed
All-Purpose Flour 🌾 2 ½ cups For crust, sifted if lumpy
Unsalted Butter 🧈 1 ½ cups Cold, cubed for crust
Granulated Sugar 🍚 1 ½ cups For crust and filling
Brown Sugar 🍚 ½ cup Packed, for crust
Ground Cinnamon 🌿 2 tbsp Plus extra for dusting
Ground Nutmeg 🌿 1 tsp Freshly grated preferred
Ground Ginger 🌿 1 tsp For warm spice depth
Salt 🧂 1 tsp Fine sea salt
Large Eggs 🥚 4 whole Room temperature
Heavy Cream 🥛 1 ½ cups Full-fat for richness
Evaporated Milk 🥛 1 cup For creamy texture
Vanilla Extract 🌸 2 tsp Pure vanilla preferred
Pecans 🌰 1 cup Chopped, optional topping
Marshmallow Fluff 🍬 1 cup Optional topping

The sweet potatoes are the heart of this pie, so pick firm, vibrant orange ones—the deeper the color, the sweeter the flavor. I always grab mine from Whole Foods or the produce section at Trader Joe's because they're consistently sweet and smooth. For the crust, King Arthur flour is my go-to (it's sifted already, saving time), but any all-purpose will work. The butter matters here—use European-style butter if you can find it (like Plugrá), but regular unsalted works too. Just make sure it's cold when you cut it into the flour—this keeps the crust flaky. The spices? Penzeys or bulk bins at natural grocery stores have the freshest ground cinnamon and nutmeg, but the regular stuff at Walmart is fine if you're in a pinch.

No brown sugar? Substitute with white sugar plus 1 tsp molasses—it'll give you that caramel depth. Running low on vanilla? Vanilla bean paste works in a bind, but pure extract is worth the splurge. The filling can handle a little less sugar if you prefer it less sweet, but trust me on the full-fat cream—it makes all the difference. For the optional toppings, pecans add crunch while marshmallow fluff brings that nostalgic campfire vibe. If you're feeling fancy, toast the pecans with a pinch of cinnamon and brown sugar for extra flavor. And if you're making this ahead, the crust can be pre-baked and stored for up to 3 days—just keep it airtight.

This pie tastes even better the next day (if you can wait that long). Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days, covered tightly. To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes—just enough to melt the filling without drying it out. The crust stays crisp if you reheat it covered with foil, then uncover for the last 5 minutes. Freezing? The whole pie keeps for 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. I always make a double batch because it disappears fast, especially with that marshmallow fluff on top. Trust me, it's worth every calorie.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • No-Cook Shortcut: The filling’s ready in 15 minutes—just roast the sweet potatoes until tender, mash them with butter and sugars, then fold in the flour. Honestly, the hardest part is waiting for the pie to cool.
  • Spiced Sugar Magic: That caramelized brown sugar crust? It’s the star. The sweet potatoes soak up the buttery richness, while the flour adds just enough structure to keep it luscious—not gummy, not dry.
  • Holiday or Snack: Bring it to Thanksgiving, serve it with ice cream, or pack slices for lunch. Between us, I’ve eaten cold leftovers straight from the fridge, and it’s still spot-on.
  • Budget Buster: Sweet potatoes stretch far, and you’re using pantry staples. A single pie feeds six, and the leftovers reheat beautifully—no one misses the store-bought version.

Step-by-step instructions for 27th street bakery sweet potato pie

Here's how to recreate that legendary bakery-style pie with a spiced crust and velvety filling.

1

Prepare the Sweet Potato Filling

Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large pot, combine the 3 lbs sweet potatoes with 1 cup water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well and let cool slightly.

While the potatoes cook, whisk together 1.5 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup evaporated milk, 1.5 cups heavy cream, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp salt in a large mixing bowl. Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, mash them until completely smooth with no lumps.

2

Make the Cinnamon-Spiced Crust

In a food processor, pulse 2.5 cups all-purpose flour, 0.5 cup brown sugar, 1.5 cups cold, cubed unsalted butter, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Press this mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie dish, creating a thick crust about ¼-inch thick.

Here's the thing—don't overwork the dough. Just press it gently into the dish and use your fingers to smooth the edges. You want a sturdy base that holds its shape during baking. Once shaped, prick the bottom all over with a fork to prevent puffing. Chill the crust in the refrigerator for 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.

3

Assemble and Bake the Pie

Pour the sweet potato mixture into the chilled crust, spreading it evenly. The filling should come about ½-inch from the top edge. In a small bowl, whisk the 4 whole large eggs and pour them evenly over the filling. This creates that signature custard layer that makes the pie ultra-creamy.

Bake the pie at 375°F for 50-60 minutes, until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center (it will firm up as it cools). You'll know it's done when the edges are golden brown and the center has a slight wobble when gently shaken. If the crust starts browning too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil.

4

Finish and Serve

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours. This resting period is crucial—it allows the filling to fully set and develop that perfect creamy texture. Real talk: skipping this step means a runny pie that won't hold its shape.

Once cooled, dust the top generously with additional ground cinnamon and arrange the 1 cup chopped pecans and 1 cup marshmallow fluff on top if using. Serve slices warm or at room temperature with whipped cream for that bakery-style experience. Each bite should deliver that perfect balance of spiced crust, creamy filling, and sweet toppings.

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Pro Tips For Making 27th Street Bakery Sweet Potato Pie

  • Boil, Don’t Steam, Your Potatoes: I learned this the hard way—steaming leaves them waterlogged and bland. For this pie, boil whole sweet potatoes until fork-tender (about 45 minutes), then scoop out the flesh while still hot. The texture stays firm and the flavor concentrates, which is non-negotiable for that signature 27th Street Bakery richness.
  • Toast the Flour First: Skip this, and your crust will taste flat. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the all-purpose flour for 2–3 minutes until it smells nutty and golden. This deepens the flavor and cuts through the sweetness—my grandmother swore by it, and she was right.
  • Don’t Overmix the Filling: I used to beat the sweet potato purée and sugars into a smooth paste, but that makes the pie dense. For this recipe, mix just until combined—lumps are fine. The contrast of creamy purée pockets with the crisp crust is what makes it special.
  • Use Cold Butter in Layers: Cut the unsalted butter into small cubes and layer it between the crust and filling, then chill the pie for 30 minutes before baking. This prevents soggy bottoms and gives you that flaky, buttery finish the bakery version nails. (Yes, even if you’re impatient like me.)

Perfect pairings for this 27th street bakery sweet potato pie

Creamy Toppings

Whipped cream is a must for this pie—it cuts through the richness beautifully. I like to use Cool Whip for convenience or homemade whipped cream with 2 cups heavy whipping cream and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

For a bakery-style finish, dust the whipped cream with ½ teaspoon cinnamon before serving. 🥛

Spiced Coffee Pairing

This pie's warm spices make it the perfect dessert after a cup of coffee. A cinnamon-dusted latte or spiced chai tea enhances the nutmeg and ginger flavors. For an adult twist, try a vanilla bourbon cream—the caramel notes complement the sweet potatoes beautifully.

Pecan Crumble Twist

Swap the chopped pecans for a pecan streusel topping by mixing 1 cup chopped pecans, ½ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle this over the pie before baking for extra crunch. It's like a sweet potato pecan pie hybrid! 🌰

Marshmallow Meringue Magic

For a nostalgic touch, top the pie with 1 cup marshmallow fluff and broil for 1-2 minutes until golden. Alternatively, make a Swiss meringue with 4 egg whites, ½ cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, then pipe swirls on top.

The contrast of warm pie and cool meringue is unbeatable.

Ice Cream Combinations

Vanilla bean ice cream is my go-to pairing—its creamy texture mirrors the pie's filling. For contrast, try maple walnut ice cream or coffee-flavored gelato to balance the sweetness. A scoop of ice cream also helps cool down the warm pie for a refreshing finish.

Seasonal Fruit Sides

Add a light fruit side to balance the richness. In fall, I love cranberry sauce or apple compote with a hint of cinnamon. For summer, a peach cobbler or berry salad with mint keeps the meal bright and fresh.

Nutrition facts

Servings 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories 580kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 38g49%
Saturated Fat 24g120%
Cholesterol 155mg52%
Sodium 380mg17%
Total Carbohydrate 58g21%
Dietary Fiber 4g14%
Sugars 42g
Protein 6g12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Frequently asked questions

1

Can I make this sweet potato pie without a food processor?

For the crust, cut the 1.5 cups cold butter into 2.5 cups flour using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The key is to keep everything cold—work quickly and don't overmix. The texture will be slightly less uniform but still delicious.

2

Why does my pie filling look watery after baking?

Watery filling usually means the eggs weren't fully incorporated or the pie wasn't baked long enough. Always whisk the eggs thoroughly into the filling and bake until the center has a slight jiggle (about 50-60 minutes at 375°F). For extra insurance, let the pie cool completely before slicing—this helps the filling set properly.

3

What's the best way to store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm slices in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes covered with foil (remove foil last 5 minutes for crispiness). For longer storage, freeze the whole pie for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge.

4

Can I substitute regular potatoes for sweet potatoes?

No, this recipe relies on sweet potatoes for their natural sweetness and creamy texture. Regular potatoes are starchier and lack the depth of flavor. If you must substitute, try yams (they're closer in flavor) but expect slightly less sweetness. Adjust sugar to taste if needed.

5

How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

Bake the crust separately for 15 minutes before adding filling (par-baking). Also, prick the bottom with a fork before baking to prevent steam buildup. For extra protection, sprinkle a thin layer of crushed cornflakes or graham cracker crumbs between the crust and filling. This creates a barrier that keeps the crust crisp.

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Categories Desserts