Description
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a luscious, comforting side dish perfect for holiday gatherings and family dinners. Made with creamy mashed sweet potatoes sweetened naturally with pure maple syrup and brown sugar, it’s topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel for the perfect sweet and nutty contrast. Baked until golden brown and bubbling, this casserole is a classic Southern favorite that delights with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 3–4 large sweet potatoes)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Sweet Potato Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Fill Baking Dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the surface evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, chopped pecans, and melted butter until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.
- Apply Topping: Evenly sprinkle the crumbly topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set and no longer jiggly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors marry and the texture firm up for easy slicing.
Notes
- For a richer, deeper flavor, roast the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them before mashing.
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Add mini marshmallows on top during the last 10 minutes of baking to create a classic sweet potato casserole variation.
