Description
A delightful and comforting Sweet Potato Casserole topped with a crunchy pecan streusel. This classic dish combines creamy mashed sweet potatoes seasoned with warm spices and vanilla, baked to perfection under a golden, buttery pecan topping. Perfect as a side for holiday dinners or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Pecan Topping
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in salted boiling water and cook for 15-20 minutes until they are fork-tender. Drain well and allow to cool slightly for easier mashing.
- Mash and Mix: In a large bowl, mash the cooked sweet potatoes until smooth. Add the melted butter, brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, mixing until the mixture is creamy and evenly combined.
- Assemble Sweet Potato Base: Spread the prepared sweet potato mixture evenly into the greased baking dish, creating a smooth layer.
- Prepare Pecan Topping: In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the mixture becomes crumbly and evenly combined.
- Add Topping to Casserole: Sprinkle the pecan topping uniformly over the sweet potato base, covering it completely.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pecan topping turns golden brown and the casserole is thoroughly heated through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly after baking to set before serving warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor and a lower glycemic index.
- Milk can be dairy or any plant-based alternative like almond or oat milk to suit dietary preferences.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free flour for the pecan topping.
- For a richer flavor, you can toast the pecans lightly before mixing with the topping ingredients.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
