Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Topping (Print Version)

Rich Sweet Potato Casserole with a buttery pecan topping. A delightful side dish that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. Simple, authentic recipe.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American Southern
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Sweet Potato Mash Base

01 - 3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
03 - ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - ½ cup heavy cream
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Flavor Enhancers

07 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
09 - ½ tsp salt

→ Crunchy Pecan Topping

10 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
11 - ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
12 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
13 - 1 cup chopped pecans

# Instructions:

01 - Peel and chop about 3 pounds of sweet potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes. Honestly, I sometimes get lazy and make them bigger, but then they take longer to cook, so try to be consistent! Boil them in a large pot of lightly salted water until they're fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain them really well; soggy sweet potatoes are a big no-no for this Sweet Potato Casserole. This is where I always forget to salt the water, but it really helps season the potatoes from the inside out.
02 - Transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup heavy cream, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Grab your trusty potato masher or a hand mixer – I usually go for the masher because it reminds me of my grandma's kitchen, you know? Mash until it's super smooth, or leave a few small lumps if you like that rustic feel. I once tried to mash them cold, oops, that was a disaster!
03 - Now for the flavor boosters! Stir in 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon salt. This is where the magic happens, hon. Give it a taste. Does it need a tiny bit more brown sugar? A pinch more salt to balance? Adjust it to your liking. I always sneak a spoonful here; it's part of the process for a truly delicious Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping. Trust your gut!
04 - In a separate medium bowl, combine ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup melted unsalted butter. Use a fork to mix it until it forms a crumbly mixture. Then, stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. This is the star of the show, the crunchy crown for our Sweet Potato Casserole. Don't skip this part; the texture contrast is everything! I once forgot to chop the pecans, and the topping was just... chunky, not crumbly.
05 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour the mashed sweet potato mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. It should look smooth and inviting, a perfect canvas for that glorious topping. This is where I sometimes get a bit messy, with sweet potato streaks on the counter, but hey, that's real cooking, right?
06 - Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly, and the Sweet Potato Casserole is heated through. The smell that fills your kitchen? Pure heaven! Let it cool for a few minutes before serving; it makes scooping so much easier and lets the flavors meld.

# Notes:

01 - Personal cooking tip I've learned through experience: Always taste your sweet potato mash before baking to adjust seasonings.
02 - Storage advice that actually works from my kitchen trials: Reheat leftovers in the oven for a crispy topping, microwave makes it soggy.
03 - Substitution I've tried that worked surprisingly well: Swapping some brown sugar for maple syrup adds a different kind of sweetness.
04 - Serving suggestion that makes this dish extra special: Serve with a simple roast chicken for a delightful weeknight meal.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - potato masher or hand mixer
03 - large mixing bowls
04 - 9x13 inch baking dish
05 - spatula

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 380
Total Fat: 22g
Total Carbohydrate: 42g
Protein: 4g

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