Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

Southern sweet potato casserole is a comforting and delicious dish, often topped with a sweet and crunchy pecan streusel or marshmallows. Here’s a classic recipe for you:

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

For the Sweet Potato Mixture:

• 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 4 large sweet potatoes)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk (or cream)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Topping:

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• Optional: mini marshmallows for a sweeter topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare Sweet Potatoes:
   • Peel and chop the sweet potatoes. Boil them in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth.
   • Alternatively, you can roast them until soft and scoop out the flesh.
3. Mix the Sweet Potato Filling:
   • In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until smooth and well combined.
   • Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
4. Prepare the Topping:
   • In a separate bowl, mix together the chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, and softened butter until crumbly. If you prefer marshmallows, set them aside for later.
5. Assemble and Bake:
   • Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
6. Optional Marshmallow Topping:
   • If using marshmallows, remove the casserole from the oven after 25 minutes, sprinkle mini marshmallows on top, and return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
7. Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this classic Southern dish!

Tips:

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the sweet potato mixture and topping ahead of time. Assemble and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve.
• Variations: Add a splash of orange juice or zest for a citrusy twist.

This sweet potato casserole is sure to be a hit at your dinner table! Enjoy!