Description
Southern comfort meets creamy indulgence in this sweet potato casserole that blends hearty mashed potatoes with a golden marshmallow topping. Irresistible layers of caramelized sweetness and buttery crunch will transport you straight to a classic holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3–4 cups (680–760 grams) mashed sweet potatoes
- 1 cup (100 grams) chopped pecans
- 2 large sweet potatoes
Sweeteners and Binding:
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter
- 1/3 cup (75 grams) butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) half-and-half cream
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and thoroughly wash sweet potatoes, ensuring they are clean and free from dirt.
- Place sweet potatoes directly on oven rack and roast for approximately 60 minutes until they become extremely soft and easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove potatoes from oven and allow them to cool slightly for handling comfort.
- Carefully peel the roasted sweet potatoes, discarding the skin, and transfer flesh to a large mixing bowl.
- Using a potato masher or electric mixer, blend the sweet potato flesh with butter, cream, and salt until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Grease a baking dish generously with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the mashed sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and butter, using fingertips or a fork to create a crumbly texture.
- Gently fold chopped pecans into the crumbly mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle the pecan-sugar topping uniformly across the sweet potato surface.
- Return the baking dish to the 350F oven and bake for 20 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the edges become slightly bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.
Notes
- Select firm, uniform-sized sweet potatoes for consistent cooking and best texture.
- Wrap potatoes in aluminum foil while baking to retain moisture and enhance natural sweetness.
- Use room temperature butter and cream for smoother, more evenly blended mashed potatoes.
- Toast pecans briefly before adding to topping for deeper, richer nutty flavor profile.
- Consider reducing sugar for diabetic-friendly version or using alternative sweeteners like stevia.
- Prepare dish ahead and refrigerate before final baking to develop more complex flavors.
- Add marshmallows alongside pecan topping for extra decadent holiday-style presentation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 412 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg