Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
A comforting Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole featuring roasted sweet potatoes mixed with warm spices, raisins, and marshmallows. Topped with a buttery maple-pecan topping that creates a perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and creamy flavors, baked to golden perfection.
- Author: Sana
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 large organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2–3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Casserole Filling
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or whole milk or plant-based milk of choice)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, cubed into small pieces
- 1/3 cup organic brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp 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
- Preheat and Prepare for Roasting: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Coat Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp nutmeg until they are fully coated for even roasting and flavor.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Spread the coated sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 50-60 minutes, or until tender, charred, and golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Prepare Baking Dish & Preheat Oven: Lower the oven temperature to 375°F and lightly grease a large 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix Casserole Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes, milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar, maple syrup, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, ground allspice, soaked raisins, and marshmallows. Mix until well combined, allowing some sweet potatoes to mash while retaining some chunks for texture.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Dot with cubed butter evenly throughout. Press a few extra marshmallows gently into the mixture for added gooeyness.
- Prepare the Pecan Topping: In a small bowl, stir together the raw pecans and maple syrup until the pecans are coated evenly.
- Add Topping and Cover: Generously sprinkle the pecan and maple syrup topping over the casserole. Cover the dish loosely with foil paper to prevent the top from browning too quickly.
- Bake Covered: Bake the covered casserole in the preheated oven for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to heat through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the marshmallows have melted and started to brown slightly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving to allow it to set. Enjoy with your favorite sides or main dishes.
Notes
- Soak raisins in warm water for about 10 minutes before draining to plump them up and reduce dryness in the casserole.
- You can substitute almond milk with whole milk or any plant-based milk of your choice for creaminess.
- Use organic ingredients where possible for the best flavor and health benefits.
- For an even richer flavor, consider using browned butter instead of unsalted butter.
Keywords: sweet potato casserole, southern casserole, maple sweet potatoes, pecan topping, marshmallow casserole, fall side dish