Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans and Marshmallows Recipe
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is a warm, comforting dish combining roasted sweet potatoes with spices, maple syrup, raisins, marshmallows, and a crunchy pecan topping. Perfect for holiday dinners or cozy family meals, it blends sweet and savory flavors with a rich, creamy texture and a lightly toasted, nutty crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 large organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2–3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Casserole Filling
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or whole milk/plant-based milk)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed into small pieces
- 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
- 2 cups marshmallows
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups raw pecans
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare for Roasting: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Season Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the cubed sweet potatoes with extra virgin olive oil, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until they are fully and evenly coated with the spices and oil.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast them in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes until tender, charred on some edges, and golden brown. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Preheat Oven for Baking Casserole: Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a large 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Casserole Filling: In a large bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes, almond milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, soaked raisins, and marshmallows. Stir gently to combine, allowing some sweet potatoes to mash slightly while retaining chunks for texture.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Dot the mixture with the cubed butter pieces across the top. Optionally, tuck in a few extra marshmallows gently into the mixture for added gooey pockets.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the raw pecans with the maple syrup until the pecans are well coated.
- Add Topping and Cover: Sprinkle the maple-coated pecans evenly over the casserole. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil paper.
- Bake Covered: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven covered with foil for about 15 minutes to warm through and allow flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, and the marshmallows on top have melted and toasted lightly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving to let it set and enhance the flavors. Serve warm alongside your favorite sides and main dishes.
- Enjoy: Dig in and enjoy this classic Southern-inspired sweet potato casserole, perfect for holidays or any special occasion!
Notes
- Soak raisins in warm water for 10-15 minutes before using to plump them up and soften their texture.
- You may substitute almond milk with whole milk or any plant-based milk according to your preference.
- For a richer flavor, use unsalted butter and adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar and maple syrup to taste.
- If you prefer a crunchier topping, you can toast the pecans separately before mixing them with maple syrup.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: sweet potato casserole, southern casserole, maple sweet potatoes, holiday side dish, pecan topping, marshmallow casserole
