Ingredients
Celebrate the holidays in a sweet way! This tasty sweet potato casserole dish requires some simple ingredients. Gather together:
- sweet potatoes
- butter
- brown sugar
- flour
- nutmeg
- cinnamon
- vanilla extract
- chopped pecans
Let’s get cooking!
Sweet Potatoes
Organic sweet potatoes are the ideal choice for this casserole. Inspect them for blemishes and sprouts. Wash before cooking.
- Boil until tender but not too soft.
- Mash with a potato masher or pass through a ricer.
- Stir in milk, melted butter, and cinnamon.
- Top with marshmallows for extra sweetness.
- Use two large sweet potatoes per serving.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is must-have for the traditional Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole. Caster and light brown sugar are both used, but brown sugar gives the dish a comforting sweetness. Light brown sugar has a mild flavor and lighter color. Dark brown sugar has a stronger flavor and deeper color, due to its higher molasses content. Choose either type of sugar depending on if you want a mild or bold flavor in your sweet potato casserole!
Butter
Butter is no newbie in baking! It adds flavor, light and tender texture and keeps food moist. When making sweet potato casserole, butter is key to get that yummy sweetness and crunchy topping.
For best results, use unsalted butter. Salted butter has additives that can ruin the flavor. Unsalted butter also lets you control the salt in the dish. For our recipe, we need 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of unsalted butter at room temperature. Cut it into small pieces to spread the richness throughout the casserole. It will also help combine other ingredients like brown sugar and eggs when mixed.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is essential for sweet dishes, especially sweet potato recipes! Use ground cinnamon to add warmth and sweetness. Sprinkle it over the food as you cook, or when it’s done. If you wish, try some ground nutmeg too – it’s optional and not necessary.
Make sure you check the expiration date of your spices – they can lose flavor if they are too old.
Pecans
Pecans are essential for a classic sweet potato casserole. They give a crunch and extra flavor. First, peel and cut two cups of pecans small. Don’t mince them; you need a mix of bigger chunks for texture, and smaller ones for flavor. Set aside when done.
When combining the ingredients, slowly add in the pecans to make sure it’s even. Lastly, top off the casserole with plenty of pecan dices before baking. Enjoy your holiday favorite!
Marshmallows
Marshmallows are a must-have for sweet potato casserole. The warm, gooey texture complements the creamy, spiced potatoes. Not only do they taste great – they also look festive!
Use large marshmallows for the best flavor and contrast. Or, if you’re feeling creative, try mini marshmallows to create a unique pattern.
Add marshmallows to your sweet potato casserole and bring the holiday spirit to your table.
Preparation
Making a great sweet potato casserole is all about preparation. To make your casserole stand out, plan ahead! Here are the crucial steps to follow when prepping your sweet potato casserole:
- Get organized.
- Gather your ingredients.
- Follow instructions carefully.
- Put your casserole together.
- Enjoy your delicious dish!
Preheat oven to 350°F
To bake a tasty sweet potato casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F for 10-20 minutes. This’ll make sure it cooks evenly. To check if it’s ready, get an oven thermometer or food thermometer. Place it in several spots in the oven. Make sure all parts of the dish get equal heat by testing multiple areas. Once it’s at 350°F, you’re all set to start baking!
Peel and cube the sweet potatoes
Got a few sweet potatoes? Peel ’em! You can use a vegetable peeler or a paring knife. If you have a lot of potatoes, use a food processor and a slicing blade.
Cut the peeled potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes in an ungreased baking dish and salt. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Then, mash or puree ’em.
After that, your sweet potato casserole is ready for prep!
Place sweet potatoes in a pot and cover with water
Before you can make your sweet potato casserole, you’ll need to get ready:
- Peel and wash the sweet potatoes.
- Put them in a large pot and cover with cold water.
- Place the pot on medium-high heat and let the water boil.
- When boiling, reduce the heat and let the potatoes simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Test the potatoes with a fork to see if they’re cooked.
- Drain off any excess liquid and let the potatoes cool before transferring them to a bowl.
- Mash or puree them with a potato masher, food processor or electric mixer.
- Check there are no lumps before starting the recipe!
Boil the sweet potatoes for 10 minutes
Boil the sweet potatoes for 10 mins. Use a fork to check if they’re ready. Pierce the potato with the fork, if it’s comfortable, they’re done. Drain and cool the potatoes in cold water. Peel the skins off and discard them.
Mash the potatoes in a bowl until they’re smooth. If you like, use an electric mixer to make them extra creamy.
Drain the sweet potatoes
Put the sweet potatoes in a strainer. Eliminate any extra liquid. Some canned sweet potatoes have lots of water. This water can make the casserole too runny. Let boiled potatoes cool in the strainer. Peel them and remove the hard skin. Finally, put them in the casserole dish.
Place the sweet potatoes in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish
Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish, or two 8×8 inch dishes, and place the sweet potatoes in. If it’s a shallow dish, reduce the bake time to 40 minutes.
Take a fork and partially mash the potatoes until there are no chunks bigger than 1 inch. Create sections within the mashed potatoes and put 1 Tablespoon of melted butter into each section. This will soften, fluff and lighten up your casserole!
In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and pecans
In a bowl, mix brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and pecans.
- Peel and cube two large sweet potatoes. Place in a steamer basket over boiling water.
- Cover the pot and steam for 10 minutes or until tender. Test doneness with a fork.
- Allow sweet potatoes to cool. Transfer to bowl with crumbly mixture. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
- Pour into an 8×8-inch baking dish greased with butter or cooking spray. Smooth top with spoon. Sprinkle lightly with white sugar, if desired.
- Bake in preheated oven at 375°F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm!
Spread the mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes
Cook and mash your sweet potatoes. Spread them evenly into a baking dish with a spatula. Make sure to smooth out any clumps. This will help the flavor and texture.
Your sweet potato casserole is now ready for its toppings!
Baking
Yum! Sweet potato casserole – a classic, tasty dish for any holiday. Serve it as a side or the main event. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not give this recipe a go?
Let’s take a look at the ingredients and steps for making this yummy treat:
Bake uncovered for 25 minutes
For the ideal holiday treat, bake your sweet potato casserole uncovered for 25 minutes or until golden brown. This helps the topping crisp up and add flavor. To prevent over-browning, you can use aluminum foil to cover the pan. Every oven is different, so watch the casserole carefully. If you use foil, take it off during the last few minutes of baking to avoid burning. Cool before serving!
Top with marshmallows
It’s time to top your casserole with marshmallows! Take a few minutes to arrange them:
- For a smooth look, use miniature ones.
- For an intense sweetness, cut large ones into halves or quarters.
- Get creative by finding different flavors of marshmallows.
- Place them on top in even layers for a golden brown finish!
Bake for an additional 10 minutes
Call for the casserole recipe, then heat your oven to 350°F. Place the baking dish in, and bake it for 30 minutes. Check if the sweet potatoes are cooked. Take it out and remove the foil. Give it a stir and sprinkle extra topping. Put it back in the oven for 10 minutes. Check if the sweet potato casserole is warm. Finally, take it out and serve!
Serving
Sweet Potato Casserole – a classic! Simple to make, combining sweet potato and marshmallow, it’s sure to please the crowd. Making it? Fun. Serving it? Even more fun! Let’s check out the different ways to serve Sweet Potato Casserole, and make the most of your holiday feast.
Here are some ideas for serving Sweet Potato Casserole:
- As a side dish
- As a main course
- As a dessert
- As a breakfast dish
Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes
Once the ingredients are in the baking dish, the sweet potato casserole is ready for the oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes. It depends on your oven. After it’s done, let it cool down for 10 minutes. This helps it to set-up and slice well.
Serve and enjoy!
Once you have baked your casserole, let it stand for 10 minutes to cool. Sprinkle it with chopped pecans and marshmallows, if desired.
When you are ready to feast, scoop generous helpings of the savory sweet potato casserole and serve warm on individual plates or shallow bowls. Team it with fresh green beans and crisp cooked bacon. Drizzle some pure maple syrup to accentuate the flavor of the sweet potatoes.
This dish is ideal for everyday family meal or special holidays. Make it one of your favorites! Enjoy!
