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Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole – Creamy, Cozy & Perfectly Toasted for the Holidays

This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is everything a holiday side dish should be — rich, velvety sweet potatoes whipped with warm spices and pure maple syrup, topped with a golden, buttery pecan crumble that bakes into sweet, crunchy perfection. It’s cozy, comforting, beautiful on the Christmas or Thanksgiving table, and delivers that classic Southern flavor with a festive twist. Every bite melts in your mouth with maple sweetness, cinnamon warmth, and a satisfying crisp topping that keeps everyone going back for seconds.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

Sweet Potato Base
  • 4 large sweet potatoes about 3 lbs, peeled and cubed
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • ¼ cup milk or heavy cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ginger optional
  • ½ tsp salt
Pecan Crumble Topping
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
Optional Add-Ons
  • Marshmallows mini, added during last 10 minutes
  • Extra maple drizzle
  • A pinch of flaky salt on top for contrast
  • Fully compliant: no alcohol, no pork.
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Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Potato masher or electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Whisk
  • Oven

Method
 

Step 1: Boil the Sweet Potatoes
  1. Place peeled, cubed sweet potatoes into a pot of salted water.
  2. Boil 15–18 minutes or until fork-tender.
  3. Drain well.
Step 2: Mash the Potatoes
  1. In a large bowl, mash sweet potatoes until smooth.
Mix in:
  1. maple syrup
  2. melted butter
  3. milk or cream
  4. eggs
  5. vanilla
  6. cinnamon
  7. nutmeg
  8. ginger (optional)
  9. salt
  10. Whip until creamy and fluffy.
Step 3: Transfer to Baking Dish
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread sweet potato mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Step 4: Make the Pecan Crumble
  1. In a bowl combine:
  2. pecans
  3. brown sugar
  4. flour
  5. melted butter
  6. Mix until crumbly and well-coated.
  7. Sprinkle evenly over the sweet potatoes.
Step 5: Bake
  1. Bake 30–35 minutes, until:
  2. topping is golden
  3. edges slightly bubbling
  4. center heated through
Optional:
  1. Add mini marshmallows in the last 10 minutes for a Southern holiday classic.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: 3–4 days
Freezer: 1–2 months
Reheat:
Warm in oven at 325°F for 15–20 minutes until heated through.
🥄 Variations
Marshmallow-Only Topper
Replace pecan topping with a full marshmallow layer.
Cinnamon Streusel Topping
Add cinnamon + oats for a crumble-like finish.
No-Nut Version
Replace pecans with oats or leave topping off entirely.
Brown Butter Sweet Potatoes
Brown the butter for deep, nutty flavor.
Spiced Holiday Version
Add allspice and cloves for extra warmth.
Cream Cheese Swirl
Swirl in softened cream cheese before adding topping.
Coconut Maple Version
Add shredded coconut to the topping.
Savory-Sweet Style
Add rosemary and a tiny pinch of cayenne.
Mini Casserole Servings
Bake in ramekins for individual portions.
Lightened Version
Use Greek yogurt instead of cream.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — assemble fully, refrigerate, and bake before serving.
Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
Yes, but fresh tastes much better.
Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
Yes — both work beautifully.
Can I skip the eggs?
They help bind and make the casserole fluffy, but you can omit for a denser texture.
Can I use almond milk?
Yes — any milk works.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Yes — skins don’t blend smoothly.
Can I make this nut-free?
Absolutely — oats or marshmallows work as toppings.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes — use a larger pan and add extra bake time.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes — cut maple syrup to ⅓ cup.
Why is my topping not crunchy?
Make sure the butter is fully melted and topping spread evenly.
🏁 Conclusion
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is creamy, cozy, and irresistibly delicious — the perfect blend of fluffy whipped sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan topping that tastes like the holidays in every bite. It’s simple to make, beautiful to serve, and guaranteed to become a Christmas dinner staple.
Warm, sweet, comforting, and absolutely unforgettable.