Description
Creamy Southern sweet potato casserole delights palates with rich, marshmallow-topped comfort. Pecans add crunch to this classic holiday side dish that will charm dinner guests and make memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 4 cups sweet potatoes, mashed (about 4 large sweet potatoes)
Dairy and Eggs:
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
Sweeteners and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together mashed sweet potatoes with melted butter, creating a smooth base that incorporates sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Transfer the creamy sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to distribute evenly and create a uniform surface.
- Craft the pecan topping by combining brown sugar, flour, and melted butter in a separate bowl, folding in chopped pecans until well integrated.
- Generously scatter the nutty topping across the sweet potato layer, ensuring complete coverage for maximum crunch and flavor.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and slight bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 10-15 minutes, which helps the texture set and makes serving easier.
- Serve warm as a decadent side dish that celebrates the rich, comforting flavors of sweet potatoes and toasted pecans.
Notes
- Swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a lower glycemic index and more natural sweetness.
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add deeper complexity to the topping’s texture.
- For a gluten-free version, replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in the topping.
- Consider reducing butter for a lighter version or using Greek yogurt to add protein and decrease overall fat content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 242 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 116 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg