Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting blend of roasted sweet potatoes, warm spices, and a rich maple-pecan topping. The combination of marshmallows and raisins adds a delightful texture and sweetness that makes it perfect for holiday dinners or family gatherings.

A white oval dish filled with a layered sweet potato casserole, showing soft, chunky orange sweet potato pieces as the base layer, topped with melted, golden-brown toasted marshmallows that are slightly gooey, and a generous scattering of shiny, textured dark brown pecans sitting on top. The dish has slight browning around the edges, and a gold spoon is scooping into the layers, revealing the gooey mix beneath. The setting is on a white marbled texture surface, with some green rosemary sprigs nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 large organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup almond milk (or whole milk/plant-based milk of choice)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed into small pieces
  • ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground allspice
  • 1 cup organic raisins, soaked and drained
  • 2 cups marshmallows
  • 1 ½ cups raw pecans
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg until evenly coated.
  3. Step 3: Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 50-60 minutes, until tender, golden, and slightly charred. Remove and let cool slightly.
  4. Step 4: Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  5. Step 5: In a large bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes, almond milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar, maple syrup, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, allspice, soaked raisins, and marshmallows. Gently mix until combined, allowing some sweet potato to mash but leaving chunks.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Dot the top with cubed butter pieces. For extra indulgence, tuck in a few additional marshmallows throughout the casserole.
  7. Step 7: In a small bowl, stir together the pecans and ¼ cup pure maple syrup until well coated. Spread this topping evenly over the casserole.
  8. Step 8: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and marshmallows have melted.
  9. Step 9: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides and main dishes.

Tips & Variations

  • Soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before adding to soften their texture and plump them up.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the pecans and consider topping with toasted coconut flakes instead.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling for a subtle spicy kick that complements the sweetness.
  • Use vegan butter and plant-based milk to make this casserole dairy-free.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish covered with foil in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.

How to Serve

The dish is a close-up of a baked sweet potato casserole in a round white dish, showing layers of soft mashed orange sweet potatoes mixed with dark raisins, topped with a layer of toasted white marshmallows that are slightly browned, and scattered with whole brown pecans for texture. A golden spoon is partially dipped into the casserole, scooping out a portion that reveals the moist, chunky texture mixed with the marshmallow cream and nuts. The white marbled surface beneath complements the warm tones of the dish, making the rich orange, brown, and creamy white colors stand out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this casserole in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Bake as directed when ready to serve, adding extra baking time if baking from cold.

What can I substitute for marshmallows?

If you prefer not to use marshmallows, try mini cubes of cream cheese for a creamy texture or shredded coconut for added sweetness and a chewy bite.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe


  • Author: Aiden
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting and delicious dish featuring roasted sweet potatoes blended with warm spices, sweetened with maple syrup and brown sugar, and topped with a crunchy pecan and maple syrup topping. Enhanced with marshmallows and raisins for extra sweetness, this casserole is perfect as a holiday side dish or a cozy family meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Roasted Sweet Potatoes:

  • 4 large organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 23 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Filling:

  • ½ cup almond milk (or whole milk or plant-based milk of choice)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed into small pieces
  • ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground allspice
  • 1 cup organic raisins, soaked and drained
  • 2 cups marshmallows

Topping:

  • 1 ½ cups raw pecans
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated. Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 50-60 minutes until they are tender, charred at the edges, and golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the Casserole Filling: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes, almond milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, soaked and drained raisins, and marshmallows. Mix gently until the ingredients are combined, allowing some sweet potatoes to mash while retaining some chunks. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish, spreading it evenly. Dot the filling with cubed butter pieces distributed throughout. For extra sweetness, gently tuck additional marshmallows into the mixture all around.
  3. Make the Topping: In a small bowl, stir together the raw pecans and pure maple syrup until the pecans are fully coated. Generously sprinkle this topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture in the casserole dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  4. Bake the Casserole: Place the covered casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the marshmallows have melted and browned slightly. Remove from oven and allow it to cool a bit before serving.
  5. Serve: Enjoy the casserole warm alongside your favorite mains and sides. This dish is perfect for holiday dinners or comforting family meals. Bon Appetit!

Notes

  • Soaking the raisins softens them and prevents them from being too chewy in the casserole.
  • You can substitute almond milk with whole milk or another plant-based milk depending on preference.
  • For a richer flavor, use unsalted butter and adjust sweetness by varying maple syrup and brown sugar amounts.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, southern sweet potato casserole, maple sweet potato casserole, holiday side dish, vegetarian casserole, roasted sweet potatoes

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating