Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring roasted sweet potatoes blended with warm spices, brown sugar, maple syrup, and marshmallows, topped with a crunchy pecan and maple syrup glaze. Perfect for holiday meals or cozy family dinners, it offers a delightful balance of sweetness and texture that complements savory main dishes.
- Author: lina
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking, Roasting
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Sweet Potatoes and Roasting
- 4 large organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2–3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Casserole Filling
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or whole milk/plant-based milk of your choice)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/3 cup organic brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground allspice
- 1 cup organic raisins, soaked and drained
- 2 cups marshmallows
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups raw pecans
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- Preheat and Prepare for Roasting: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Season Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl, combine the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Spread the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 50-60 minutes until tender, charred edges appear, and they turn golden brown. Allow to cool slightly after roasting.
- Prepare Baking Dish and Oven: Lower the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a large 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Casserole Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes, almond milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground allspice, soaked raisins, and marshmallows. Stir to blend, allowing some sweet potatoes to mash slightly while retaining chunkiness.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Distribute the cubes of unsalted butter throughout the mixture. For added sweetness, tuck a few extra marshmallows gently into the casserole.
- Make Pecan Topping: In a small bowl, mix raw pecans with 1/4 cup pure maple syrup until well coated.
- Top the Casserole: Spread the pecan and maple syrup mixture generously over the sweet potato casserole, covering it completely.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the topping is golden brown and marshmallows have melted and browned slightly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove casserole from oven and allow it to cool slightly for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps set the dish and enhances flavors.
- Enjoy: Serve as a delicious side dish alongside your favorite holiday or comfort food mains. Bon Appetit!
Notes
- Soaking the raisins plumps them up and prevents them from being too chewy in the casserole. Soak in warm water for about 10 minutes, then drain well before adding.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the marshmallows or brown sugar by half.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based butter and ensure marshmallows are vegan-friendly.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead: assemble and refrigerate overnight, then bake just before serving.
- Ensure sweet potatoes are cooked thoroughly by testing tenderness with a fork before proceeding to casserole assembly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
Keywords: sweet potato casserole, southern recipe, maple syrup, holiday side dish, pecans, roasted sweet potatoes, marshmallows, comfort food