Description
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a warm, creamy blend of roasted sweet potatoes, butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon, topped with gooey marshmallows and crunchy maple-glazed pecans. A Southern-inspired comfort classic perfect for holidays or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Sweet Potatoes:
- 4 large organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2–3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Filling:
- ½ cup almond milk (or whole milk, or your preferred plant-based milk)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground allspice
- 1 cup organic raisins, soaked and drained (see notes)
- 2 cups marshmallows
Topping:
- 1½ cups raw pecans
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roast the sweet potatoes: Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread them evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, or until soft and slightly caramelized.
- Soak the raisins: While the potatoes roast, soak the raisins in warm water (or warm apple juice) for 10 minutes, then drain.
- Mash the potatoes: Transfer the roasted sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Add the butter, almond milk, vanilla, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Mash until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in raisins: Gently fold in the soaked raisins for bursts of flavor and texture.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the sweet potato mixture into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top evenly with marshmallows.
- Prepare the pecan topping: In a small bowl, toss the pecans with maple syrup until well coated. Scatter the pecans over the marshmallows.
- Bake: Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the marshmallows are melted and slightly toasted.
- Cool and serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving so the layers can set slightly.
Notes
Active time: 25 minutes; Passive time: 45 minutes.
Soaking raisins prevents them from drying out while baking and adds a juicy pop to each bite.
For a deeper flavor, roast the sweet potatoes a day in advance, then reheat before assembling.