Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
A classic Southern Sweet Potato Casserole featuring creamy mashed sweet potatoes blended with brown sugar, butter, and vanilla, topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar crumb topping. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, this comforting dish is a favorite holiday side or anytime treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 4 cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup half and half
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
Topping
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ⅓ cups pecan pieces
- ½ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Sweet Potato Base: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, half and half, softened butter, egg, vanilla extract, and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly to create a smooth layer.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, all-purpose flour, pecan pieces, and melted butter until a crumbly topping forms.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the crumbly pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 20 minutes to set properly before serving.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, ensure sweet potatoes are well mashed before mixing.
- You can toast pecans lightly before adding to the topping for extra flavor.
- This casserole can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; reheat before serving.
- Half and half can be substituted with whole milk or cream for richer texture.
- Adjust brown sugar quantities to taste for more or less sweetness.
Keywords: Sweet Potato Casserole, Southern Side Dish, Holiday Recipe, Sweet Potato Dessert, Pecan Topping
