The Ultimate Sweet Potato Casserole: Double Topping Perfection

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this classic Sweet Potato Casserole, a holiday staple perfected with not one, but two irresistible toppings: a buttery, crunchy brown sugar streusel and a layer of golden, gooey marshmallows. This recipe promises a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will make it the star of your festive table.

A Note from the Author

Two Toppings. One Pan. Zero Leftovers!

If you’ve followed my culinary adventures for a while, you’ll know that Sweet Potato Casserole holds a very special place in my heart as my all-time favorite Thanksgiving side dish. My love for sweet potatoes runs deep, whether they’re simply roasted, baked to perfection, or even featured in vibrant burrito bowls. I truly can’t get enough of their versatile flavor and nutritional benefits!

Naturally, when it came to developing a recipe for sweet potato casserole, I was determined to make it absolutely impeccable. After countless rounds of testing and tweaking, I am incredibly confident that this is the best sweet potato casserole you’ll ever make. What sets this recipe apart is its ingenious solution to a common holiday dilemma: choosing between a streusel or a marshmallow topping. Why choose when you can have both? This version features both a delightful streusel and a luscious marshmallow topping, ensuring every guest finds their favorite texture and flavor in every spoonful. Prepare for an empty dish!

Key Ingredients for a Perfect Sweet Potato Casserole

Crafting the perfect sweet potato casserole starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for substitutions or enhancements:

Effortless Steps to Crafting the Best Sweet Potato Casserole

Making this incredible sweet potato casserole is simpler than you might think. Follow these straightforward steps to create a show-stopping side dish that will impress everyone.

1. Prepare and Bake Potatoes: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scrub your sweet potatoes clean and pierce them all over with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Place them on a foil-lined sheet pan, which will catch any drips and make cleanup a breeze. Bake for 60-90 minutes, or until they are incredibly tender when pierced with a knife. Once baked, remove them from the oven, slice them in half lengthwise, and allow them to cool slightly until they are easy to handle.
2. Create the Creamy Sweet Potato Base: Once cooled, scoop out the soft, cooked sweet potato flesh into a large mixing bowl. Mash the potatoes thoroughly; for the smoothest possible consistency, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer. To the mashed potatoes, add the fresh orange juice, heavy cream, melted and cooled unsalted butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Spread this delicious sweet potato mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Craft the Crunchy Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the melted and cooled unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir these ingredients together with a spoon, then use your hands to gently knead the mixture until distinct clumps form. This hands-on approach ensures the perfect streusel texture. If the mixture feels too wet or oily, gradually add a tablespoon more flour until you achieve the desired crumbly consistency.
4. Bake the Casserole to Golden Perfection: Evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the sweet potato base, covering about half or two-thirds of the casserole if you plan to add marshmallows to the other section. If you’re going for a full streusel top, use it all! Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the streusel is beautifully golden brown and set.
5. Add Gooey Marshmallows and Serve: Once the streusel is golden, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Arrange the miniature marshmallows over the remaining uncovered section (or over the entire casserole if you skipped the streusel) or between the rows of streusel. Return the casserole to the oven for another 4-8 minutes, or until the marshmallows are perfectly melted, puffed, and lightly golden. Watch them very closely, as marshmallows can brown and burn rapidly. Serve your magnificent Sweet Potato Casserole warm, allowing everyone to enjoy its irresistible combination of flavors and textures!

Expert Recipe Tips for the Best Results

Achieve sweet potato casserole perfection every time with these valuable tips and tricks:

• Cook Potatoes Fully: Ensure your sweet potatoes are exceptionally soft and tender before mashing. Undercooked potatoes will result in a lumpy and less enjoyable casserole base. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork with no resistance.
• Achieve a Smooth Texture: For the silkiest, most luxurious sweet potato base, don’t just use a fork. Employ a hand mixer or stand mixer to thoroughly mash and whip the sweet potatoes. This incorporates air and eliminates any lingering lumps, creating a truly smooth and creamy foundation.
• Watch Marshmallows Closely: Marshmallows can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds under the broiler or during the final bake. Stay near the oven and keep a vigilant eye on them to prevent burning.
• Don’t Press the Streusel: When applying the streusel topping, gently sprinkle it over the sweet potato base. Avoid pressing it down firmly, as this can make the streusel dense and less crumbly. A light sprinkle ensures it remains wonderfully crunchy.
• Serve Warm for Optimal Experience: Sweet potato casserole is best enjoyed warm, directly after baking. The warmth brings out the full depth of flavors and ensures the marshmallows are perfectly gooey and the streusel is crisp.
• Enhance Flavor with Citrus Zest: For an extra burst of aroma and flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of finely grated orange zest to the sweet potato base along with the juice. The oils in the zest provide a fragrant lift.
• Season to Taste: Always taste your sweet potato base before spreading it into the dish. Adjust the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt as needed to suit your preference. Different sweet potato varieties can vary in sweetness, so a quick taste test is key.

Preparation & Storage: Making Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time

Sweet potato casserole is an ideal dish for holiday meal prep, as many components can be prepared in advance, saving you precious time on the big day. This flexibility makes it a true lifesaver for busy hosts!

Make-Ahead Instructions:

• Sweet Potato Base: You can prepare the creamy sweet potato base up to 2 days in advance. Once mixed, transfer it to your greased baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate.
• Streusel Topping: The streusel topping can also be made ahead, up to 4 days prior. Prepare it as directed, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Marshmallows: Keep marshmallows stored at room temperature until ready to use.

When you’re ready to bake, simply remove the sweet potato base from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature. Add the streusel topping and bake as instructed. Only add the marshmallows for the final few minutes of baking.

I do not recommend fully baking the casserole in advance and then reheating, as the toppings can lose their desired texture. Freshly baked is always best!

Sweet Potato Casserole

By Chelsea Lords

Sweet Potato Casserole is the ultimate holiday side dish! Creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy brown sugar streusel and gooey melted marshmallows—it’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors that will delight everyone at your table.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Sweet Potato Baking: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Yields: 16 servings

★★★★★ (5 from 6 votes)

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Equipment Needed

• 9 x 13-inch baking pan
• Sheet pan (15″ x 10″)
• Aluminum foil
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Base

• 4 pounds sweet potatoes (about 6 large, yields about 5-3/4 cups mashed)
• 1 fresh orange (for juice)
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt

Topping

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

Instructions

1. Prepare Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch ceramic baking pan. Scrub the sweet potatoes clean, then pierce them several times all over with a fork. Place the pierced potatoes on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake for 60-90 minutes, or until they are very tender when squeezed or pierced. Remove from the oven, carefully slice each potato in half lengthwise, and allow them to cool enough to handle comfortably.
2. Make Sweet Potato Base: Once cooled, scoop the soft flesh from the sweet potato skins into a large mixing bowl (you should aim for about 5-3/4 cups of mashed sweet potatoes). Add 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice, heavy cream, melted butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the mixture until it is completely smooth and fluffy. Evenly spread this creamy sweet potato mixture into your prepared baking dish.
3. Prepare Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir with a spoon until loosely combined, then use your hands to gently knead the mixture until it forms distinct, crumbly clumps. If the mixture appears too wet or oily, incorporate an additional tablespoon of flour at a time until the desired streusel consistency is achieved.
4. Bake Casserole (First Round): Generously sprinkle the streusel topping over approximately half of the sweet potato base in rows, reserving the other half for marshmallows. If you prefer an all-streusel casserole, use the entire amount to cover the base. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and appears set.
5. Add Marshmallows & Finish Baking: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Evenly distribute the miniature marshmallows over the remaining uncovered sections of the casserole, or between the rows of streusel. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 4-8 minutes, or until the marshmallows are beautifully melted, puffy, and lightly golden brown. Keep a close watch, as marshmallows can brown very quickly. Serve immediately while warm to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

Recipe Notes

Make Ahead: To simplify holiday meal prep, you can prepare the sweet potato base up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. The streusel topping can also be made ahead and stored separately in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When ready to bake, assemble the casserole by topping the chilled base with the streusel, then bake as directed. Add the marshmallows for the final few minutes of baking just before serving.

Storage: Store any leftover sweet potato casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. For optimal freshness and texture, it is best to remove the topping before storing and add a fresh layer of streusel or marshmallows when reheating.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 314 kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 457mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 16319 IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.