The Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is the essence of holiday comfort food. It is smooth, mashed sweet potatoes at the base with a rich, buttery pecan topping. It is also perfectly sweetened and spiced. Its luxurious creaminess-like quality combines with the crunchiness of the caramelized pecan top to give it the final special touch to complete any festive table!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s Full of Southern Comfort-All the soft, nostalgic feelings of Southern cooking are here.
The balance is just right: when you take a bite, the rich, sweet potato base goes sweetly with the nutty caramel crunch.
It’s a Cinch to Make-Elegant, as the recipe looks, it’s uncomplicated and uses common pantry ingredients.
The Recipe is Multifunctional-Makes Thanksgiving, Christmas, potlucks, and those Sunday family dinners feel right at home.
Key Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes: Mashed, these are sweet and creamy by themselves-the heart of the dish. When roasted instead of boiled, their flavor only becomes more intensified.
Brown Sugar: This imparts a deep, molasses-like sugar to match the sweetness of the potatoes excellently.
Half and Half: With milk, either whole milk or heavy cream can be substituted for differing consistencies.
Butter: Softened butter makes it richer and gives the sweet potato base more flavor.
Egg: An ingredient that makes a casserole held together, giving it some structure but still feeling light.
Vanilla Extract: Provides that warm, aromatic touch that heightens the flavor.
Pecan Topping:
Pecans: Toasty, buttery, sweet, the pecans are responsible for giving the bite to this dessert. Walnuts can be switched out if that would be preferable.
Brown Sugar: Caramelizes as it bakes to form a sweet and crunchy coating.
All-Purpose Flour: Gives form to the topping and makes sure that it makes a perfect crumble.
Butter: The melted butter will pull this group together into one fabulous, luscious flavor.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set the Temperature: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Proper preheating ensures even cooking and a perfectly baked casserole.
Grease the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. This step prevents sticking and makes serving a breeze.
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potato Mixture
Gather Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the following:
Cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (ensure they are smooth and lump-free).
½ cup brown sugar, for sweetness.
½ cup half and half, for creaminess.
4 tablespoons softened butter, to add richness.
1 large egg, for binding.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for flavor.
¼ teaspoon salt, to balance the sweetness.
Mix Thoroughly: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the ingredients on medium speed until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well combined. This step ensures a light, fluffy texture for the base of your casserole.
Step 3: Spread the Sweet Potato Mixture
Transfer to the Dish: Spoon the prepared sweet potato mixture into the greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Smooth the Surface: Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly, ensuring a flat surface for the topping.
Step 4: Prepare the Pecan Topping
Combine Topping Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together:
½ cup brown sugar, for sweetness.
â…“ cup all-purpose flour, to create structure.
1 cup pecan pieces, for crunch.
4 tablespoons melted butter, to bind everything together and add a buttery richness.
Stir to Combine: Mix the ingredients with a spoon until they form a crumbly, moist texture.
Step 5: Add the Topping
Sprinkle the Topping: Evenly distribute the pecan topping over the sweet potato mixture. Aim for full coverage so every bite has a perfect balance of creamy base and crunchy topping.
Step 6: Bake the Casserole
Place in the Oven: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 35 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the sweet potato base is hot and slightly puffed. The aroma of the caramelized pecans will signal it’s almost ready.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Rest the Casserole: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for at least 20 minutes. This allows the casserole to set, making it easier to serve and enhancing the overall texture.
Serve and Enjoy: Scoop generous portions onto plates and watch your guests swoon over the sweet, nutty flavors.
Serving Suggestions
This dish can be served together with other comfort food delights and entries such as:
Holiday Classics: Roast Turkey, Glazed Ham, or herb-roasted chicken.
Savory Contrasts: Sautéed green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, or even a crispy side salad would be a great side for the casserole and would work to balance the sweet elements.
Dessert Vibes: Top it off with whipped cream or caramel sauce for that extra indulgence and serve it as dessert.
Storage Tips
Refrigeration: Store your leftovers properly in an airtight container for up to three days. In order to reheat the leftovers, simply pop the whole dish in a 350°F oven, or warm up in the microwave individual portions before serving.
Freezing: Make the casserole before baking and freeze it for a maximum of two months. Just take it out to thaw in the refrigerator the day before you’re going to make it. Once you are ready, bake as directed.
AHEAD OF TIME TIP: Boil and mash sweet potatoes into the crust separately and prepare the top portion separately as well. Both can be stacked on top of each other in the fridge and then baked as needed.
Variations
Marshmallow Topping: Use mini marshmallows instead of the original pecan topping for a gooey kid-friendly version.
Spiced Sweet Potatoes: Sweeten the sweet potato base with cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger.
Coconut Pecan Topping: Add a touch of the tropical flavor with the addition of shredded coconut to the topping mixture.
Savory-Sweet Option: Decrease the sugars for the base and the toppings and spice it up by sprinkling some cayenne pepper.
Conclusion
This Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is an amazing feast. It adds sugary and elegant touches to numerous comfort dishes. It makes a wonderful spot on the dinner table of the holidays and makes the big show-off at any potluck; everyone remains wanting more, and true generous Southern hospitality is baked to great perfection.
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups sweet potatoes cooked and mashed
- 1 cup brown sugar divided for base and topping
- 0.33 cup half and half
- 0.33 cup butter softened for base and melted for topping
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract divided for base and topping
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 0.33 cup all-purpose flour for topping
- 1.33 cups pecan pieces
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, half and half, softened butter, egg, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon the sweet potato mixture into the greased baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
- In a medium bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, pecan pieces, and melted butter until crumbly.
- Evenly sprinkle the pecan topping over the sweet potato mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sweet potato base is hot and slightly puffed.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy the creamy, nutty goodness!