Sweet Potato Casserole

This perfect sweet potato casserole is extra smooth and rich. The sweet potatoes have a decadent brown sugar pecan topping. My secret ingredient that makes this even more special is to mix mini marshmallows into the casserole (instead of on top).

Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes? Try my pumpkin pie bars, au gratin potatoes, herb stuffing or dinner rolls.

This recipe was first published 11/7/2023.

Thanksgiving dinner is never complete with out a big helping of sweet potato casserole. It's such an iconic, classic side dish. My recipe for sweet potato casserole is smooth not lumpy, with a decadent pecan brown sugar topping.

You could probably classify this sweet potato casserole as a dessert, rather than a side dish. But let's just say it's a side dish so you can eat gobs of pumpkin cake, sticky buns and pumpkin cheesecake.

My secret trick is to put mini marshmallows inside of the sweet potato casserole, instead of on top. It adds an extra dose of sweetness and flavor. This is one step you don't want to miss!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole
• Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients

• Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are different than yams. When selecting from the store make sure you grab sweet potatoes.
• Butter: Gives the sweet potatoes a buttery rich flavor. You will also need butter for the pecan topping.
• Cane Sugar: Adds sweetness to the sweet potatoes.
• Brown Sugar: Used for the pecan topping.
• Flour: Some all purpose flour for the pecan topping.
• Salt: Added to the sweet potatoes to enhance flavors.
• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract, instead of imitation, for the best flavor.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Added for flavor.
• Eggs: The eggs act as a binder for the sweet potatoes.
• Heavy Cream: Makes the sweet potatoes creamy.
• Mini Marshmallows: Mixed into the sweet potatoes for sweetness and flavor.
• Chopped Pecans: You can buy pre-chopped pecans or whole pecans and chop them up.
• Maple Syrup: Drizzled over top of the sweet potato casserole after the pecan topping goes on.

How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole

Preheat the oven to 425.

Use a fork to pole holes in the sweet potatoes. Bake on a foil lined baking sheet for 45 min or until a knife smoothly passes. Let cool.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350.

Peel off the skins of the sweet potatoes. Add the sweet potato flesh to a large bowl with the melted butter and beat until mostly smooth.

Add in the cane sugar, salt, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and heavy cream. Mix in the eggs one at a time until totally combined. Beat for 1 minute.

Mix in the mini marshmallows.

To make the plan topping use your hands to mix together the brown sugar, flour and softened butter. Then mix in the chopped pecans.

Spread the sweet potatoes into a greased casserole dish, sprinkle the topping on. Drizzle maple syrup over top.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, uncovered.