Description
This Classic Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting and delicious dish perfect for holiday gatherings or family dinners. It features tender mashed sweet potatoes blended with butter, brown sugar, cream, and warm spices, topped with crunchy pecans and golden toasted mini marshmallows, baked to perfection for a sweet and nutty finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup (packed) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter (half stick), softened
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 3/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 1-2 cups mini marshmallows (or more, to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Rinse and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Pierce each potato several times with a fork or sharp knife. You can either boil them in a large pot of water until very tender or microwave for 6 minutes then roast at 425°F for 20 minutes until soft.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the rack in the middle. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mash the Sweet Potatoes: Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel off the skins. In a large bowl, mash the potatoes thoroughly with brown sugar, softened butter, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make sure the mixture is smooth and evenly mixed. For an extra smooth texture, use an immersion blender after mashing.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly to form a smooth layer.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the sweet potato layer, followed by the mini marshmallows.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the marshmallows turn golden brown. Keep a close eye towards the end to prevent burning as ovens vary in heat.
Notes
- Sweet potatoes can be prepared ahead of time and mashed mixture refrigerated before baking.
- Adjust marshmallow quantity based on sweetness preference.
- For a nuttier flavor, toast pecans lightly before adding.
- Use an immersion blender for a smoother, more velvety texture.
- Watch baking closely to avoid burning marshmallows.
