Description
Southern sweet potato casserole elevates traditional holiday sides with its irresistible marshmallow topping and creamy filling. Comfort meets elegance in this classic dish that will delight guests at any family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 4 pounds), peeled and cubed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Place cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot of boiling water, cooking until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes. Thoroughly drain and allow to cool slightly.
- Transfer sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl and mash until completely smooth and creamy, eliminating any lumps.
- Incorporate melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into the mashed sweet potatoes, stirring until the mixture is uniformly blended.
- Carefully spread the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Create the streusel topping by combining chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter in a separate bowl, mixing until the ingredients form a crumbly texture.
- Distribute the streusel topping evenly across the sweet potato base, covering the surface completely.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping turns a rich golden brown and the edges become slightly crisp.
- For a marshmallow variation, remove the casserole after 20 minutes of baking, sprinkle mini marshmallows over the top, and return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until marshmallows are puffy and golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, which helps the dish set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Swap white sugar for coconut sugar or maple syrup to create a more natural sweetness and lower glycemic index.
- Consider using dairy-free milk and vegan butter alternatives to make this recipe suitable for plant-based diets.
- Roast sweet potatoes instead of boiling to enhance their natural caramelized flavor and concentrate their sweetness.
- Top with crushed graham crackers or gluten-free oats for a crunchy alternative to traditional streusel if you have gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 321
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 134 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg