Description
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting and delicious holiday side dish, featuring creamy mashed sweet potatoes sweetened with pure maple syrup and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Topped with a crunchy pecan oat streusel, it’s baked to golden perfection and sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons butter (or vegan butter for dairy-free)
- 1/4 cup whole milk (or plant-based milk for dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (or walnuts for substitution)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
- 1/3 cup rolled oats (or gluten-free oats for gluten-free option)
- 3 tablespoons softened butter (or vegan butter for dairy-free)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Boil the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot of water for 12-15 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. Drain them well and return them to the pot.
- Mash and Mix: Mash the sweet potatoes until smooth and creamy. Stir in the maple syrup, melted butter, milk, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.
- Assemble Base Layer: Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula for an even layer.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, oats, and softened butter. Mix together until a crumbly streusel forms.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the sweet potato layer, covering the surface completely.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let it set and enhance the flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts if preferred.
- For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and plant-based milk.
- Consider using gluten-free flour and oats to make this casserole gluten-free.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and baked before serving.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup and brown sugar to taste.
