Description
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a warm, comforting side dish perfect for holidays or any cozy meal. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes blended with maple syrup, spices, and topped with a crunchy pecan and oat streusel make it a deliciously sweet and nutty treat that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 4 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons butter or vegan butter, melted
- 1/4 cup whole milk or plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts as substitution)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (or gluten-free oats)
- 4 tablespoons softened butter or vegan butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 12-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the water and return the sweet potatoes to the pot.
- Mash and Mix: Mash the cooked sweet potatoes until smooth. Stir in maple syrup, melted butter, milk, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until the mixture is creamy and fully combined.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Make Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, oats, and softened butter. Use a fork or your fingers to blend these ingredients until crumbly and well combined.
- Top the Casserole: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the sweet potato layer in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool slightly for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm as a delightful side dish.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts for pecans if preferred or for a different nutty flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and plant-based milk like almond or oat milk.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour and oats with certified gluten-free versions.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated gently in the oven.
- Be careful not to overcook the sweet potatoes during boiling to avoid watery mash.
