When I first started dating my now-fiance, I asked him, “What is your favorite dessert?”

Hey, I’m a food blogger! It’s an important question. 🙂

My heart sank when his answer was sweet potato pie, because I’ve never made a sweet potato pie in my life. Chocolate cake, sure. Apple dumplings, no problem. I’ve made dozens, probably hundreds of different kinds of cookies. But sweet potato pie? I’m a northern girl. It’s not super common where I’m from.

My fiance is from Alabama. Sweet potato pie is a staple where he grew up, an his momo (grandmother) makes it best…

So I’ve never wanted to compete! Yes, after 4+ years of dating, I still haven’t attempted a sweet potato pie. But we decided to have a date night, and I wanted to make something special. I knew it had to be sweet potato pie.

My pie turned out great, and though I won’t claim to be an expert like his momo, Jeffrey said it is officially southern-approved. Date night together was great too. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been together for over 4 years now. Who knew that a northern girl like me and a southern boy like him would make the perfect match?

The new Nicholas Sparks movie, The Choice, is all about making difficult choices of the heart to find your destiny and perfect match. Like many other Nicholas Sparks stories, the setting is coastal Carolina, and North Carolina plays a big part in the story. (We’re only 30-60 minutes from the North Carolina border here in coastal Virginia, so it’s right in our neck of the woods.)

The Choice comes out on February 5, so that’s what we’re doing for date night next weekend! If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, you can watch it here. I’m a sucker for good romances. 🙂

Go see this movie with your sweetheart… and make sure you have a slice of this sweet potato pie waiting for you when you get home.

Here’s the full recipe:

5 from 1 vote Print Sweet Potato Pie: Date Night with My Southern Sweetheart A perfect sweet potato pie that even your pickiest southern friends will love. Ingredients 3 cups sweet potatoes boiled and mashed

1 stick 8 Tablespoons butter, melted

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 deep-dish pie crust Instructions Brush the bottom of your pie crust with a little of the melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until crust is just beginning to brown, about 12 minutes. While crust is baking, add the other ingredients to a large bowl and mix on low until blended and smooth. Spread filling in partially-baked crust. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for until pie is set, 60-90 minutes. Pie is done when the center jiggles just slightly, and a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool pie completely on a rack, then cover and and refrigerate until cold. Recipe Notes Garnish with whipped cream when serving if desired.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.