Millionaire Bean Pie is a delicious spicy dessert made with cooked pinto beans, spices, brown sugar, and other ingredients. Tastes like a sweet potato pie. Excellent warm or cold.
DISCLOSURE (NOT SPONSORED): I have not been paid to endorse pictured products. Delighted to share what I purchased and used to make this delicious recipe.
EDITOR’S NOTE (August 7, 2021): Edited for clarity. Corrected typos.
I first heard of bean pies over 20 years ago. Every weekend on my way to a favorite hair salon in Atlanta, I’d drive through a popular area where Muslims were selling bean pies. People were always stopping to purchase them! Business was booming.
Although I never purchased one of their bean pies, I asked my hair stylist if she had ever tasted a bean pie. Her enthusiastic response was refreshing. She said they tasted like a really good sweet potato pie.
The traditional bean pie is a sweet custard pie associated with the Nation of Islam. The filling contains mashed navy beans, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, and spices.
Muslims created the bean pie as a healthier substitute for the sweet potato pie. Navy beans replaced sweet potatoes.
A google search revealed they also use black beans and pinto beans are to make mouthwatering bean pies.
I used pinto beans, shredded carrots and no eggs to make my version of this classic dessert. Shredded carrots, an optional ingredient, adds texture and thickness.
How To Read & Follow A Recipe: Tips for Beginners
Reading a recipe is an important life skill that requires properly reading a recipe’s ingredients, and instructions. Plus, knowing how to prep ingredients and what equipment to use.
Start with clean hands and organized kitchen. Wash hands thoroughly. Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.
Create a relaxing environment. Play favorite music while in the kitchen. I love listening to classical or gospel music.
Read the entire recipe so you understand it and to make sure you have each ingredient.
If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, use a substitute.
Watch Recipe Videos. If you’re a visual learner (like me), watching a video tutorial is a great way to see how a recipe is made.
Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.” It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking.
Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times. Make note of ingredients omitted, favorite substitutions and creative twists. The notes will be very helpful the next time you make this recipe.
Enjoy!
| Prep Time | 2.5 hours |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 3 cups pinto beans, cooked See recipe notes for cooking tips.
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup fresh carrots, shredded (optional)
- 2 regular 9" pie crusts Homemade or store-bought.
- kosher salt (optional) Sprinkle a pinch on top of each serving.
Ingredients
|
|
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a blender, add cooked pinto beans, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, melted butter and sweetened condensed milk.
- Pulse once or twice OR until smooth. Stir in shredded carrots (if using). Set aside.
- Add filling to prepared pie crusts (instructions below).
- Bake 30 to 40 minutes. Filling will be jiggle slightly. Will firm as it cools.
- Cool baked pie 10 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle each serving with a pinch of kosher salt (optional). Serve warm or cold.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Place each pie crust (homemade or store-bought) in a pie pan. Generously pierce bottom and sides with a fork.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes in a glass pan and 8 minutes in an aluminum pan OR until puffy.
How to Prepare Pinto Beans
- Remove/discard debris from pinto beans.
- Soak 1 hour.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Cook pinto beans with chunks of ham or use my favorite brand of smoked pork ham distributed by Royal Foods. This a friendly mention. Not a paid endorsement.
5. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to pinto beans after cooking. Stir until evenly distributed. Well seasoned pinto beans are delicious as is and in this recipe. 6. If using my favorite Hurst Beans brand of pinto beans, do not use Ham Flavor packet. Save for later. 
Sweet sister – the nation of Islam began in the 7th century, not 1930’s. The Prophet Muhammad’s full name was Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim, not Elijah.
Coy, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a helpful comment! I’ve just edited/updated the page with the recipe. Removed the incorrect information. My apologies for the error.
The Nation do not use pinto beans in the bean pie we use Navy beans and most definitely do not put pork in any of our food. ❤️