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Cozy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

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This sweet potato casserole features a creamy, perfectly seasoned sweet potato base topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel. It’s comfort food reimagined—faster, simpler, but with the same soul-soothing satisfaction, perfect for holidays or a cozy weeknight treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 4–5 medium)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Boil the sweet potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by about an inch. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain well.
  3. Mash the sweet potatoes: Return the drained sweet potatoes to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add the melted butter, milk, brown sugar, beaten egg, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mash with a potato masher until smooth, or use a hand mixer on low speed for a creamier texture.
  4. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
  5. Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Stir in the chopped pecans.
  6. Top the casserole: Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the sweet potato mixture. Do not press it down.
  7. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the streusel is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
  8. Cool slightly before serving: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, use cold butter for the streusel and toast the pecans lightly before adding. The casserole can be assembled (without streusel) up to 2 days ahead; add fresh streusel before baking. To freeze, assemble completely (with streusel) but do not bake; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, pecan streusel, Thanksgiving side dish, comfort food, holiday recipe, easy sweet potato casserole

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/cozy-sweet-potato-casserole-with-pecan-streusel-topping/