Description
Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a warm, comforting Thanksgiving side dish made with velvety sweet potatoes, maple syrup, cozy fall spices, and a buttery pecan crumble topping. Perfect for holiday meals, Friendsgiving, and festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sweet Potato Filling:
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 1/2 to 4 pounds), peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk (or whole milk)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
For the Pecan Topping:
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (or regular flour)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: Add chopped sweet potatoes to a large pot, cover with water, and boil for 15–20 minutes until tender. Drain well.
- Mash: Transfer sweet potatoes to a bowl and mash until smooth; use a hand mixer for extra creaminess.
- Mix Filling: Add maple syrup, coconut milk, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Assemble: Spread sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Make Topping: In a bowl, combine pecans, flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon until crumbly.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle evenly over the sweet potato base.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh sweet potatoes for best texture and flavor.
- Real maple syrup is essential—avoid imitation syrup.
- Don’t over-mash; a few small chunks add texture.
- Add ginger or cloves for deeper autumn spice.
- Make ahead and refrigerate; bake right before serving.
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days; freeze up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, Maple Sweet Potato Casserole, Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Recipe, Holiday Side Dishes, Sweet Potato Pecan Topping