Easy Sweet Potato Casserole 🥔✨

This sweet potato casserole is a comforting dish that brings warmth and sweetness to any table. With creamy sweet potatoes, a hint of cinnamon, and a crunchy pecan topping, it's a delightful side dish especially popular during the holidays. It's so easy to whip up that you can enjoy it year-round or bring it to your gatherings!

Consider serving it alongside roasted turkey or ham for a classic family feast! 🍗🍖

Ingredients

For the casserole

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of milk (or plant-based milk)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

For the topping

• 1 cup of pecans, chopped
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of flour (or gluten-free alternative)
• 1/4 cup of butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the cubed sweet potatoes. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash them until smooth.
4. Stir in the brown sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into the mashed sweet potatoes until well combined.

🍽️ For a creamier texture, consider using a hand mixer instead of a potato masher to blend the sweet potatoes and ingredients together!

5. Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

6. In a separate bowl, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and cinnamon. Stir until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

7. Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.

⏰ Keep an eye on the topping to prevent burning; if it gets too brown, lightly cover it with foil for the remainder of the baking time.

9. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.

Variations

• Nut-Free: Replace the pecans with a mixture of rolled oats and a bit of coconut for a crunchy topping without nuts. 🌾
• Maple Sweetener: Use pure maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a unique flavor twist and natural sweetness.
• Marshmallow Topping: For an extra sweet treat, add mini marshmallows on top during the last 5 minutes of baking until they are toasted and gooey.
• Savory Twist: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sweet potato mixture for a hint of heat that balances the sweetness perfectly.

This Easy Sweet Potato Casserole is sure to become a favorite in your home. Enjoy! 🍽️💖