Description
Paula Deen’s Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting Southern classic featuring smooth mashed sweet potatoes enriched with warm spices and vanilla, topped with a buttery, crunchy pecan streusel. This delightful dish is baked to golden perfection, making it a perfect side for holiday feasts or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Filling
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- â…“ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup cream
Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- â…“ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Boil the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes in water for about 20 minutes until tender. Drain the water and mash the sweet potatoes until smooth. Allow to cool before proceeding.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 325℉ (163℃) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cream. Mix thoroughly until you achieve a smooth and uniform mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the sweet potato filling into the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Make Topping: In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, and chopped pecans until well combined and crumbly.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer in the casserole dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, until the filling is set and the topping turns a beautiful golden brown color.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the casserole warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For an extra creamy texture, you can substitute heavy cream for the cream used in the filling.
- Allow the mashed sweet potatoes to cool before mixing with eggs to prevent scrambling.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time; assemble and refrigerate, then bake before serving.
- Use fresh pecans for the best flavor and texture in the topping.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, adjust the brown sugar quantities according to taste.
