If ever there was a side dish that brought cozy gatherings and autumnal comfort to your table, it would be this Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole. Lusciously whipped sweet potatoes, rich with maple syrup and a hint of spice, get tucked under a crispy pecan streusel that practically begs for a spot beside your roast turkey or holiday ham. Every scoop blends velvety texture with crunchy sweetness, and there’s just something irresistible about the way maple makes the sweet potatoes shine. Whether you’re serving it for Thanksgiving, a Sunday dinner, or just because you want a little Southern warmth, this is a dish that’s destined to become a family favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe is handpicked to deliver depth of flavor, beautiful color, and that perfect home-baked texture. Don’t be intimidated by the list; it comes together easily and every item truly earns its place in this unforgettable Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole.
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show—roast or boil them until they’re fork-tender for naturally creamy, vibrant filling.
- Pure Maple Syrup: A pour of real maple syrup gives deep, caramel kisses and echoes pure Southern sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a molasses richness to both the filling and the irresistible topping.
- Eggs: These add structure, binding the casserole so it stays light and soufflé-like.
- Heavy Cream or Whole Milk: Brings silkiness to the mash; choose cream for extra indulgence.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted in the filling and softened for the topping, it’s key for richness and that bakery-style crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a splash lifts all the warm flavors for a comforting finish.
- Cinnamon: Wraps every bite in the flavor of fall and warm spice.
- Nutmeg: A dash of nutmeg brings subtle complexity that plays beautifully with maple and sweet potatoes.
- Salt: A little bit brings out the depth and balances all the sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour (for topping): Helps create that signature, golden crumb you won’t want to miss.
- Pecans (for topping): Chopped pecans add traditional Southern crunch and nutty flavor.
How to Make Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
Step 1: Prepare Your Sweet Potatoes
Begin by cooking your sweet potatoes—either roast them for more depth of flavor or boil until fork-tender. Once they’re cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and mash it entirely smooth. This step is where the flavor foundation happens, so take your time; silky sweet potatoes make for a dreamy casserole base.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a spacious bowl, combine your mashed sweet potatoes with maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, cream (or milk), melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Beat it all together until the mixture is wonderfully smooth and every swirl promises sweet, maple-spiced flavor. Pour this into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 3: Make the Pecan Streusel Topping
Set up a small bowl and stir together all-purpose flour, brown sugar, chopped pecans, softened butter, and a big pinch of salt. Use your fingers or a fork to work the butter in until you have a crumbly, textured mixture. This is the secret behind the casserole’s famous crisp top—don’t skip it!
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish. Pop it into a preheated oven at 350°F, and bake for 35–40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping is golden and the edges are bubbling just a bit. Let it cool for about 10 minutes so the filling sets and comes out in perfect scoops.
How to Serve Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
Garnishes
For a finishing flourish, sprinkle a few extra toasted pecans over the top, or add a drizzle of warm maple syrup right before serving. If you want extra drama (and fun!), a handful of mini marshmallows toasted for the last few minutes under the broiler will delight kids and grown-ups alike.
Side Dishes
The flavors in Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole play beautifully with classic holiday favorites: think roast turkey, ham, green beans, or even sauteed greens. Creamy mashed potatoes and tangy cranberry sauce also balance the sweetness on your plate for a memorable meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking and serving the casserole in individual ramekins for personal portions, ideal for dinner parties. Or, for potlucks, assemble it in a disposable foil tray—easy to transport and share. The vibrant orange color and crispy golden topping always make this casserole a showstopper, no matter how you serve it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole keep beautifully! Store any extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to meld, making every reheat just as delicious as the first bite.
Freezing
If you’re planning ahead, assemble the casserole (without baking) and cover tightly with foil before freezing. It’ll keep for up to 2 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed for an effortless make-ahead side.
Reheating
For best texture, reheat the casserole in a 350°F oven for about 15–20 minutes (covered with foil to keep the topping from burning). Individual portions can also be microwaved for a quick treat—just note that the topping won’t be quite as crisp as with oven reheating.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute canned sweet potatoes, just drain them well to avoid excess liquid and mash until creamy for the filling.
Is it possible to make this dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute coconut milk for the cream and use a dairy-free butter alternative for both the filling and topping to make a dairy-free version of Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole.
What if I don’t have pecans for the topping?
Walnuts or even slivered almonds work in a pinch, or simply skip the nuts for a crumb-only topping that’s still satisfyingly sweet and crisp.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the casserole the day before, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add the topping and bake as usual.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The topping should be browned and crisp, and the filling should no longer jiggle in the center. A knife inserted in the center should come out mostly clean—don’t worry if it’s a bit soft, that means your casserole will be creamy!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving that magic of nostalgia, warmth, and a hint of maple-sweet delight, you can’t go wrong with this Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole. Give it a try, share it with loved ones, and watch it become one of your most requested comfort dishes. Here’s to making memories—one delicious spoonful at a time!
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Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a delightful twist on a classic holiday side dish. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are sweetened with maple syrup and brown sugar, topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, creating a deliciously comforting addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Mixture:
- 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (from about 4–5 medium sweet potatoes)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix sweet potato mixture: In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, cream, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy. Spread into baking dish.
- Prepare topping: In a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, pecans, softened butter, and salt until crumbly. Sprinkle topping over sweet potato mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and filling is set. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- You can roast the sweet potatoes ahead for deeper flavor.
- For a marshmallow twist, use mini marshmallows instead of pecan topping in the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
