Description
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a delightful holiday side dish combining creamy mashed sweet potatoes with rich maple syrup and warm spices, topped with a crunchy pecan crumb topping. Baked to golden perfection, it offers the perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making it a comforting addition to any festive meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 lbs), peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Pecan Topping
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for baking.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. Mash them thoroughly until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the maple syrup, melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix well until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Spread Mixture: Evenly spread the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and melted butter. Mix until the mixture forms a crumbly topping.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer in the baking dish.
- Bake Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let flavors meld and texture set.
Notes
- You can prepare the sweet potato mixture ahead and refrigerate it, adding the topping just before baking for convenience.
- For a sweeter casserole, increase the maple syrup slightly.
- Optionally, add mini marshmallows on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a traditional touch.
