Description
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy family dinners. It features tender, cinnamon-spiced sweet potatoes blended with almond milk and vanilla, topped with a crunchy pecan and marshmallow layer sweetened with pure maple syrup for a classic Southern twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Base
- 4 large organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or whole milk or favorite plant-based milk)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed into small pieces
Sweet Potato Mixture Sweeteners and Spices
- 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
Topping
- 2 cups marshmallows
- 1 1/2 cups raw pecans
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, then boil or steam them until they are very tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Mash and Blend the Sweet Potatoes: Add the extra virgin olive oil, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, 1/2 cup almond milk, vanilla extract, butter cubes, brown sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and soaked raisins to the sweet potatoes. Mash everything together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the raw pecans with 1/4 cup maple syrup, tossing gently to coat.
- Assemble the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the surface, then top with marshmallows.
- Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown and the topping is bubbly and caramelized. Keep an eye toward the end to prevent burning.
- Let It Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes to set before serving. Enjoy this classic Southern side warm.
Notes
- Soaking raisins enhances their plumpness and flavor; soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and drain before using.
- You can substitute almond milk with whole milk or any plant-based milk you prefer.
- For a nuttier flavor, toast pecans lightly before mixing with maple syrup.
- Keep an eye on the marshmallows while baking to prevent excessive browning.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and reheated before serving.
