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Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

This Southern sweet potato casserole is rich, creamy, and topped with a buttery pecan crumble. A classic holiday side dish that brings comfort and tradition to the table.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Equipment

  • A hand or stand mixer (optional, but helpful for a creamy texture)
  • A 9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients
  

For the sweet potato base:

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes about 2 lbs, peeled and cubed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup whole milk or a non-dairy alternative for a gluten-free version
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

For the pecan crumble topping:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour if needed
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cook and mash the sweet potatoes

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, then cook until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes well and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Mash them until smooth. You can use a potato masher or a hand mixer for an extra creamy texture.

Step 2: Mix the sweet potato filling

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your 9x13-inch baking dish. To the mashed sweet potatoes, add melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
  • Mix everything until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy. Pour the sweet potato filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Step 3: Prepare the pecan crumble topping

  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and softened butter. Use a fork or your fingers to mix until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in the chopped pecans. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato filling.

Step 4: Bake the casserole

  • Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set. The kitchen will smell absolutely amazing by now!

Step 5: Serve and enjoy

  • Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving. The topping will be perfectly crisp, and the filling will be warm and creamy.
  • Serve it alongside your favorite holiday dishes or enjoy it all on its own—it’s that good!