Which type of pie is traditionally made with mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, milk, and warm spices?

Sweet potato pie is traditionally made with mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, milk, and warm spices.

The filling is poured into a pastry crust and baked until set. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla are common flavorings, while butter and sugar provide richness and sweetness. The exact balance varies by family and region.

Sweet potato pie has deep roots in African American and Southern food traditions. Sweet potatoes grow well in the American South and were an accessible ingredient for both everyday cooking and holiday meals. The pie became especially associated with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other gatherings.

It is often compared with pumpkin pie because both are custard-style pies flavored with warm spices. Their fillings are not identical, however: sweet potato pie uses cooked sweet potato, while pumpkin pie uses pumpkin purée. Sweet potato pie is also distinct from candied yams, which are a side dish rather than a baked custard dessert.