This is my second new recipe for Thanksgiving and it would also be a nice addition for any special occasion . Some times I will just bake or grill whole sweet potatoes, make a hasselback version, or just roast them in a delicious sauce such as Roasted Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes with Maple-Horseradish Butter.
This Thanksgiving I made a recipe from sallysbakingaddiction.com. It’s very similar to a Food Network Kitchen version and it sounded perfect for a well-balanced dinner. The streusel topping is sweet and some might think of this as a dessert, either way you will enjoy it.
Rich filling with a wonderful streusel topping loaded with pecans!
I served this delicious casserole as a side dish – I suppose you could treat it as a dessert and serve with a dollop of cream!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled (should make 4 cups of mashed sweet potatoes)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
The following 3 steps can be done the day before as well as the topping.
Place the sweet potatoes, in a large saucepan and cover them completely with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Drain the water and let the sweet potatoes cool, covered, for 15 minutes in the pan.
I used a 2 quart baking dish but you can also use a 9×13-inch baking dish according to Sally.
Add the cooled potatoes to a large bowl. Beat the potatoes until relatively smooth using a handheld mixer. You should have 4 cups of mashed potatoes. Add the butter, brown sugar, eggs, half-and-half, vanilla and salt. Pour it into the prepared dish, cover and refrigerate until tomorrow when you bake it.
Topping:
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1.2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1-2/3 cups pecan halves or chopped pecans
- fresh rosemary or thyme and sea salt for garnish (optional)
Combine the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Fold in the melted butter and pecans until the mixture is combined; spoon evenly over potatoes.
Cover the topping and potatoes separately if making ahead of time (up to 2 days).
When ready to bake preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add the topping to the potatoes Bake for 30-40 minutes , uncovered, or until golden brown.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Filling ingredients…
Topping ingredients…
Creamy filling with a crunchy topping…
I always drizzle gravy over every thing…
Hard to quit eating it was so tasty!
The pumpkin filling in my Le Creuset pumpkin 2 quart dish!
Sounds yummy and the best part is being able to make it the day before!
I love any recipe that can be made ahead of time – up to two days! Just add the topping to the creamy potato mixture and bake 🙂
Hard to go wrong with sweet potatoes and pecans – wonderful flavor combination. Love the pumpkin casserole!
This recipe sure showcased both ingredients in a very delicious way! That’s a LeCreuset pumpkin casserole 🙂
This must be so tasty and aromatic. Love the topping! 🙂
If you like sweet potatoes, pecans and a sweet dish you will love this 🙂
Hard not to love this combo! 🙂
We finished up the last of our holiday sweet potato casserole with pecans. Yummy! 😋
It’s one of the best sides or a dessert with a dollop of whipped cream if you desire 🙂
Yes, it is delicious that way. 😍
Judi, I had to chuckle when I read your post because I made Sally’s recipe for our American Thanksgiving in Sweden dinner this past Saturday. I went with walnuts as pecans are hard to find here and very expensive.
Our Swedish guest loved it, but couldn’t understand why we had dessert with our turkey. It’s a great recipe…
That is funny Ron – I love her site. Sally tests and retests all her recipes and I have yet to find one I didn’t like or it didn’t turn out. Yes, it would make a great dessert too but I chose to serve it as a side with the main meal 🙂
How delicious! I love sweet potatoes, especially at Thanksgiving. I haven’t had them made into a casserole like this, but I’d love to give it a try!