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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe – Best Southern Comfort with Pecan Crunch

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This cozy southern sweet potato casserole features a creamy roasted sweet potato base and a crunchy pecan topping, making it the ultimate comfort food for holidays or any day that needs a little southern sunshine. It’s easy to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and customizable for various dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2.5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pecan halves or pieces
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • Pinch of salt
  • Oil, for roasting sweet potatoes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with foil.
  2. Place sweet potato chunks on the sheet, drizzle lightly with oil, and roast for 30-35 minutes until fork-tender and caramelized at the edges.
  3. Transfer roasted potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher or beat with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
  4. Add softened butter, brown sugar, heavy cream or milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix until fluffy and fully combined (about 2 minutes).
  5. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour in the sweet potato mixture and smooth the top with a spatula.
  6. In a separate bowl, combine pecan halves or pieces, brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Stir until a crumbly mixture forms.
  7. Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the sweet potato layer.
  8. Bake casserole at 400°F (205°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and bubbly at the edges.
  9. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set and the topping to crisp.

Notes

For gluten-free, use almond or oat flour in the topping. For dairy-free, substitute coconut oil and coconut milk. You can prepare the sweet potato base ahead and refrigerate, adding the topping just before baking. If the topping browns too quickly, tent with foil. Toast pecans before adding for extra crunch. Leftovers reheat best in the oven to keep the topping crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, southern comfort food, pecan topping, Thanksgiving, holiday side dish, easy casserole, gluten-free option, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/sweet-potato-casserole-recipe-best-southern-comfort-with-pecan-crunch/