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Close-up of sweet potato casserole showing crunchy golden pecan streusel and silky orange filling on a serving spoon — sweet potato casserole
Abdul Rehman

Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Streusel

A silky, spiced sweet potato filling with brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices, topped with a cold-butter pecan streusel that bakes into a shatteringly crisp layer. This sweet potato casserole serves eight from a single baking dish and can be fully prepped the night before.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 478

Ingredients
  

For the Sweet Potato Filling
  • 1.2 kg (about 4 large) ​ sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3cm chunks ​
  • 60g (4 tbsp) ​ unsalted butter, melted ​
  • 60ml (¼ cup) ​ whole milk ​
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten ​
  • 100g (½ cup) ​ packed light brown sugar ​
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract ​
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon ​
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ​
  • ½ tsp fine salt ​
For the Pecan Streusel Topping
  • 100g (1 cup) ​ raw pecans, roughly chopped ​
  • 75g (⅓ cup, packed) ​ light brown sugar ​
  • 50g (⅓ cup) ​ all-purpose flour ​
  • 50g (3½ tbsp) ​ unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes ​
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ​
  • ​ ​ Pinch of fine salt ​

Method
 

  1. Place sweet potato chunks in a large pot. Cover with cold salted water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook 18 to 20 minutes until a fork slides through a chunk with zero resistance. Drain, then let sit undisturbed in the colander for 3 to 4 minutes to steam-dry.
  2. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a 23x33cm (9x13 inch) baking dish.
  3. Transfer drained sweet potatoes to a large bowl and mash until smooth. Stir in melted butter and milk. Let cool 3 minutes, then add beaten eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until fully combined.
  4. Pour filling into the prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer about 3 to 4cm deep.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and rub with fingertips until the mixture forms coarse, uneven crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces still visible.
  6. Scatter streusel evenly over the filling. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until the topping is deep golden brown and the filling edges are set.
  7. Rest 10 minutes before serving.