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Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Casserole: Easy Pecan Pie Side

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A rich and comforting sweet potato casserole featuring roasted potatoes for deep flavor, mixed with maple syrup and spices, and topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large sweet potatoes, roasted and peeled (about 4 cups mashed)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pecan halves or pieces, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Prick sweet potatoes with a fork and roast directly on the rack or on a lined baking sheet for 45-60 minutes until soft. Let cool, then peel and mash to yield about 4 cups.
  2. In a large bowl, combine warm mashed potatoes, softened butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until smooth.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then fold in chopped pecans.
  4. Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the pecan streusel topping over the potatoes and press gently.
  5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and edges are bubbling.
  6. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Roasting the sweet potatoes concentrates their flavor and prevents a watery texture compared to boiling. For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use coconut butter and coconut cream. Toast pecans before chopping for enhanced nutty flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, pecan streusel, southern side dish, holiday recipes, Thanksgiving sides, roasted sweet potatoes, comfort food

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/creamy-southern-sweet-potato-casserole-easy-pecan-pie-side/