Description
A rich and comforting Southern-style sweet potato casserole sweetened with pure maple syrup and topped with a buttery pecan streusel. This cozy, crowd-pleasing side dish combines creamy mashed sweet potatoes with warm spices and a golden, crunchy topping—perfect for holidays or any special meal.
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Base:
4–5 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
¼ cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
2 large eggs
4 tablespoons butter, melted
¼ cup milk or heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Pecan Topping:
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
4 tablespoons butter, melted
Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Boil or steam the sweet potatoes for 15–20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and mash until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes with maple syrup, brown sugar (if using), eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.
- Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans, melted butter, and cinnamon until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Let cool slightly before serving for easier slicing and the best texture.
Notes
For extra richness, mix in a few tablespoons of cream cheese with the sweet potatoes.
Top with mini marshmallows for a classic holiday twist.
Use an oat crumble topping for a nut-free version.
Adjust the sweetness by reducing or omitting the brown sugar.
Toast the pecans before adding for a deeper, roasted flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
