Welcome to a journey through the heart of Southern comfort cuisine! In the realm of classic dishes that evoke nostalgia and warmth, few can rival the time-honored delight of anOld Fashioned Southern Sweet Potato Casserole.
Steeped in tradition and crafted with care, this culinary masterpiece captures the essence of Southern cooking, infusing it with the rich flavors of sweet potatoes, warm spices, brown sugar, and butter.
With each bite, you’re transported to a simpler time, where family gatherings and cherished gatherings are accompanied by the irresistible aroma and taste of this beloved casserole. It is truly a favorite recipe around our area and one of my favorite sweet potato recipes.
What is Sweet Potato Casserole?
Sweet Potato Casserole is classified as a Southern side dish that is dessert-like in many ways. It almost reminds you of sweet potato pie but the texture is not as smooth and there is no crust. It is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients to make it.
To make this casserole dish, you will combine fresh sweet potatoes that have been baked, the flesh is scooped out then mashed. It is then mixed with milk, eggs, sugar, and other ingredients to make the base. The topping is made of pecans, flour, butter, and brown sugar.
It is the perfect side dish for holiday meals, potluck, or family dinners such as Sunday dinner. This sweet potato side dish is the perfect make-ahead dish.It is often served alongside many traditional favorites such as turkey, Southern Cornbread Dressing, Mac and cheese, Old-fashioned Persimmon Pudding, and Southern-style green beans among other recipes.
History of Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
As with many dishes of the South, it is customary to have Southern Sweet Potato Casserole around the fall and winter holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Growing up in the South, this was always a traditional dish that was served at our family meals.
Many of my aunts have made this dish as well as my mom. Now, as I have gotten married, the recipe has been passed on to my wife as a side dish that we bring to these events.
Being that this is such a popular dish in the South around this time, I wanted to go over the background of the humble sweet potato casserole and uncover some history of it. According toTasting Table, the first recipe that can be traced dates back to the 1740s to a lady named Ameilia Simmons.
Her recipe, which she called Potato Pudding, is the oldest written recipe for sweet potato casserole.
There are many variations of the dish from being topped with candied pecans to mini marshmallows. There are varying stories on how each one of these variations came to be with the marshmallows being a marketing scheme from the marshmallow company.
Either way, the version we are sharing today doesn’t include marshmallows but the candied pecans as we feel this is the more traditional version of Southern Sweet Potato Casserole.
Side Dish or Dessert?
This is a question that often comes up when talking about Sweet Potato Casserole. Is it a side dish or a dessert? Well, that depends on who you ask. I will say that around our area, most of the time the Sweet Potato Casserole ends up on the table with the side dishes and not the dessert. What about around your house? I would love to hear what you think.
The reason people cannot decide where to put this classic recipe is because it is sweet, similar in taste to Sweet Potato Pie but without a crust. Some sweet potato casseroles are even topped with mini marshmallows, although this recipe does not include them as we are making the more traditional sweet potato casserole.
This recipe is a staple in the deep South on the holiday table for Thanksgiving dinner but also on other holidays such as Christmas dinner or Easter dinner. Many people even make it for Sunday Dinner. This is truly a Southern Staple and a very easy recipe to make for a side dish.
How To Make It
Now we will cover the ingredients and the process by which to make this recipe for best results. A recipe card is located at the bottom of the post with the amounts for each ingredient, read on.
Tools you will need
Ingredients
Base
- Sweet potatoes
- Melted butter
- White sugar
- Cinnamon
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
- Salt
Topping
- Chopped pecans
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Melted butter
Preparing the Sweet Potatoes
There are a few ways to prepare the sweet potatoes. Some folks like to peel them and parboil them. Others like to bake the potatoes or cook them in the microwave like a baked potato. I prefer to bake them if I have time as I feel it gives them a deep rich depth of flavor that I love.
If I am short on time, I will use the microwave to cook them in a shorter time frame. Typically this is how I prepare them.
Boiling them would be my least favorite way but you can do it that way if you prefer. But parboiling sweet potatoes is useful for other recipes.
In this recipe, we are going to cover how to bake them and microwave them.
Note: To begin with, wash the sweet potatoes and dry them off.
Oven Baking Method
- Put a light coating of olive oil or other vegetable oil on the outside of the sweet potatoes. Then prick the outside of the potatoes with a fork.
- Place the Sweet Potatoes on a cookie or baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Microwave Method
- Put a light coating of olive oil or other vegetable oil on the outside of the sweet potatoes. Then prick the outside of the potatoes with a fork.
- Place potatoes on a microwave-safe plate or dish. Cook for 5 minutes per sweet potato, then check. Rotate sweet potatoes and cook for an additional 1 minute or until they are tender. 4 medium-sized size sweet potatoes took me 20 minutes to cook in the microwave.
Creating the Base Mixture
This base mixture will be the main component of the Sweet Potatoe Casserole.
- Remove the sweet potato mash (insides) from the skins.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the tender sweet potatoes with the butter, sugar, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and milk. Blend until smooth. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this if you wish.
- Pour the mixture into the 9×13 baking dish or casserole dish.
- Make sure to level the mixture by giving it a couple of side-to-side shakes or using the back of a spoon.
Preparing the Topping
- In a small bowl, mix the chopped pecans, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and butter together until fully incorporated.
- Spread the Pecan topping mixture over top of the base mixture until it is evenly covered. A fork works great to spread the mixture around. Also, it may not completely cover the entire mixture, but this is okay.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the assembled casserole in the oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Serving
Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. It is best served warm and not chilled. This casserole can be made ahead of time and reheated before eating. If preferred, garnish lightly with powdered sugar.
What to Serve it With
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is one of my favoriteHoliday Recipes. I love to serve it alongside these other awesome dishes.such as Crock Pot Mac and Cheeseor Southern Baked Macaroni. It also goes great with Deviled Eggs, collard greens, Pork Chops, Smoked Turkey, Fried Turkey, or Baked Turkey.
If you are serving it for Easter Dinner, Glazed Ham goes great with Sweet Potato Casserole along with these homemade biscuits from scratch!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Old Fashioned Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is a true testament to the heart and soul of Southern cooking. This beloved dish takes us on a journey through the flavors and traditions that have been cherished for generations.
As we’ve embarked on this culinary adventure, we’ve witnessed the transformation of humble sweet potatoes into a masterpiece of sweet, spice, and comforting flavors. The harmonious blend of ingredients, from the creamy sweet potato base to the irresistible layer of crusted-candied pecans, reminds us of the magic that happens when simple, wholesome ingredients come together with love and care.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between a Sweet Potato and a Yam?
Sweet potato and Yam are different root vegetables. Many times you will see stores mention yams or sweet potatoes interchangeably when actually they are referring to Sweet Potatoes. They are not the same and they actually taste quite different from each other. Sweet potatoes have orange flesh and Yams have white or off-white flesh. It turns out that the reason for all the confusion was how sweet potatoes were marketed back in the early 1900s to try to sell the root vegetable. The term stuck, and it is often mislabeled to this day.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, this side dish can be made in advance. Make sure to warm the Sweet Potato Casserole up before serving though.
How can I store this recipe?
You can store this recipe in an airtight container or cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Is this recipe just for special occasions?
No, this recipe can be made as a side dish anytime you wish. It is often served alongside Sunday dinner or church functions in the American South.
Can I use canned yams?
Yes, you can use canned yams. Although what is in the can is actually Sweet Potatoes and not yams. Use two big cans and make sure to drain them. You may want to adjust the sugar as the Canned yams typically are in syrup. You may even want to wash or rinse the yams first.
Thanks for stopping by Southern Food Junkie. It is our hope that you enjoy this recipe sharing it with friends, family, and coworkers. Make sure to take time to give thanks to the creator, God, by which all blessings flow.
– Ronnie | Let’s Get Food Junked
John 6:35
Old Fashioned Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Sweet Potato Casserole is classified as a Southern side dish that is dessert-like in many ways. It almost reminds you of sweet potato pie but the texture is not as smooth and there is no crust. It is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients to make it.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients
Base Mixture
- 5 to 6 medium sweet potatoes
- 8 tablespoons of melted butter or a whole stick
- 1 cup of white granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of Kosher or Sea Salt
Topping
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons of melted butter or half a stick.
Instructions
Note: Before beginning, wash and dry the sweet potatoes
Preparing Sweet Potatoes
Oven Baking Method:
- Put a light coating of olive oil or other vegetable oil on the outside of the sweet potatoes. Then prick the outside of the potatoes with a fork.
- Place the Sweet Potatoes on a cookie or baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Microwave Method:
- Put a light coating of olive oil or other vegetable oil on the outside of the sweet potatoes. Then prick the outside of the potatoes with a fork.
- Place potatoes on a microwave-safe plate or dish. Cook for 5 minutes per sweet potato, then check. Rotate sweet potatoes and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until they are tender.4 medium size took me 20 minutes.
Creating the Base Mixture
- Remove the sweet potato mash (insides) from the skin.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the tender sweet potatoes with the butter, sugar, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and milk. Blend until smooth. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this if you wish.
- Pour the mixture into the 9x13 baking dish or casserole dish.
- Make sure to level the mixture by giving it a couple of side-to-side shakes or using the back of a spoon.
Preparing the Topping
- Mix the chopped pecans, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and butter together until fully incorporated.
- Spread the Pecan topping mixture over top of the base mixture until it is evenly covered. A fork works great to spread the mixture around. Note: it may not completely cover the entire surface but this is ok.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the assembled casserole in the oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Serving
Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. It is best served warm and not chilled. This casserole can be made ahead of time and reheated before eating. Garnish lightly with powdered sugar.
Notes
Make sure to wash and dry the potatoes before starting.
Did you make this recipe?
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