Name: Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients: Sweet Potatoes (3 pounds): The star of the show! Choose firm, unblemished sweet potatoes. Their natural sweetness and creamy texture when cooked form the base of this comforting casserole.; Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, 1 stick): Butter adds richness and flavor to both the sweet potato base and the crumbly topping. Unsalted allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.; Brown Sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Brown sugar lends a molasses-like depth of sweetness that beautifully complements the sweet potatoes and adds a hint of caramel flavor.; Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup): A touch of granulated sugar balances the brown sugar and adds a cleaner sweetness to the casserole.; Milk (1/2 cup): Milk adds moisture and creaminess to the sweet potato mixture, creating a smooth and luscious texture. You can use dairy or non-dairy milk based on your preference.; Eggs (2 large): Eggs act as a binder, holding the casserole together and adding richness and structure to the sweet potato base.; Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Vanilla extract enhances the overall sweetness and adds a warm, aromatic note that complements the spices.; Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Cinnamon brings a warm, comforting spice that’s classic in sweet potato dishes, adding depth and complexity to the flavor profile.; Ground Nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and slightly peppery note that complements the cinnamon and sweet potato, creating a well-rounded spice blend.; Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors of all the ingredients, preventing the casserole from being overly sweet.; Pecans (1 cup, chopped): Pecans provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the topping, contrasting beautifully with the creamy sweet potato base. You can also use walnuts or other nuts if preferred.; All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup): Flour in the topping helps create a crumbly texture and binds the butter, sugar, and pecans together.; Rolled Oats (1/2 cup, optional): Rolled oats add extra texture and a subtle nutty flavor to the topping, making it even more delicious and slightly healthier.

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes (3 pounds): The star of the show! Choose firm, unblemished sweet potatoes. Their natural sweetness and creamy texture when cooked form the base of this comforting casserole.
Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, 1 stick): Butter adds richness and flavor to both the sweet potato base and the crumbly topping. Unsalted allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
Brown Sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Brown sugar lends a molasses-like depth of sweetness that beautifully complements the sweet potatoes and adds a hint of caramel flavor.
Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup): A touch of granulated sugar balances the brown sugar and adds a cleaner sweetness to the casserole.
Milk (1/2 cup): Milk adds moisture and creaminess to the sweet potato mixture, creating a smooth and luscious texture. You can use dairy or non-dairy milk based on your preference.
Eggs (2 large): Eggs act as a binder, holding the casserole together and adding richness and structure to the sweet potato base.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Vanilla extract enhances the overall sweetness and adds a warm, aromatic note that complements the spices.
Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Cinnamon brings a warm, comforting spice that’s classic in sweet potato dishes, adding depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
Ground Nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and slightly peppery note that complements the cinnamon and sweet potato, creating a well-rounded spice blend.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors of all the ingredients, preventing the casserole from being overly sweet.
Pecans (1 cup, chopped): Pecans provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the topping, contrasting beautifully with the creamy sweet potato base. You can also use walnuts or other nuts if preferred.
All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup): Flour in the topping helps create a crumbly texture and binds the butter, sugar, and pecans together.
Rolled Oats (1/2 cup, optional): Rolled oats add extra texture and a subtle nutty flavor to the topping, making it even more delicious and slightly healthier.

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Instructions

Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. You can either bake them whole or peel and cube them for faster cooking. For whole baking, pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork. Place them directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Baking whole sweet potatoes intensifies their natural sweetness and results in a smoother, more flavorful puree. Roasting brings out the sugars in the sweet potatoes in a way that boiling or microwaving simply cannot replicate, contributing to a richer, more complex flavor in your final casserole.
Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Bake the sweet potatoes until they are very tender and easily pierced with a fork. This will take approximately 45-60 minutes for whole sweet potatoes, or about 25-30 minutes for cubed sweet potatoes. The baking time will vary depending on the size of your sweet potatoes. You’ll know they’re ready when they are soft to the touch and the skin wrinkles slightly. Properly cooked sweet potatoes are crucial for a smooth and creamy casserole base. Undercooked sweet potatoes will be hard to mash and may result in a lumpy texture.
Cool and Scoop the Sweet Potato Flesh: Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them open lengthwise (if baked whole) and scoop out the flesh into a large mixing bowl. If you baked cubed sweet potatoes, simply transfer them to the bowl. Discard the skins. While some people might consider using the sweet potato skins for other recipes, for this casserole, we want only the smooth, creamy flesh to create the desired texture.
Mash the Sweet Potatoes: Using a potato masher, electric mixer, or a stand mixer, mash the sweet potato flesh until smooth and creamy. If using an electric mixer, be careful not to overmix, as this can make the sweet potatoes gummy. Mashing to a smooth consistency is key for the luxurious texture of the casserole. For an extra smooth result, you can even use an immersion blender or food processor, but be mindful not to over-process.
Combine Wet Ingredients: To the mashed sweet potatoes, add the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. If your butter isn’t already melted, melt it in a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan and allow it to cool slightly before adding it to the mixture. Adding slightly cooled melted butter prevents the eggs from cooking prematurely.
Mix the Sweet Potato Base: Beat all the ingredients together until well combined and smooth. Ensure that all the sugars are dissolved and the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Taste the mixture at this stage and adjust sweetness or spices to your preference. Some people prefer a slightly sweeter casserole, while others might like a stronger spice flavor. This is your chance to customize it!
Prepare the Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the chopped pecans, flour, rolled oats (if using), brown sugar, and melted butter for the topping. Use your fingers or a fork to mix the ingredients together until they are crumbly and well combined. The topping should resemble coarse crumbs. The combination of flour, butter, and sugar creates a classic streusel-like topping that adds both sweetness and a delightful textural contrast.
Assemble the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Greasing the dish prevents the casserole from sticking and makes serving easier. A 9×13 inch dish is the standard size for casseroles and provides ample space for the sweet potato mixture and topping.
Sprinkle the Topping: Evenly sprinkle the pecan topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish. Make sure to distribute the topping evenly so that every bite of casserole has a satisfying crunch.
Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sweet potato casserole is heated through and bubbly around the edges. The baking time might vary slightly depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the topping and cover loosely with foil if it starts to brown too quickly before the casserole is heated through. Baking until bubbly ensures the casserole is heated all the way through and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
Cool Slightly and Serve: Let the sweet potato casserole cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set up a bit and makes it easier to serve. Serving it slightly warm enhances the flavors and textures. The aroma of the warm spices and toasted pecans will fill your kitchen, making everyone eager to dig in!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 400
Fat: 22g