I love this sweet potato casserole and make it every year! It’s topped with homemade toasted marshmallow fluff, and the sweet potatoes are baked rather than boiled, making it an easy recipe. This holiday classic has been a family favorite for many years!
This dish is a staple at our Thanksgiving table! What I love about this recipe is that the sweet potatoes are baked rather than boiled. This eliminates having to peel, chop and boil them.
When sweet potatoes are baked, they become even sweeter! This also makes mashing so much easier. It’s just easier all around, and the flavor is perfect. Creamy sweet potatoes are a classic Thanksgiving side dish.
Growing up, we always topped ours with marshmallows, but I love nothing more than spreading fluffy, homemade marshmallow fluff over the top! Torch it with a kitchen torch, and it not only looks gorgeous but tastes even better!
You can also use marshmallows; mini marshmallows or large ones work great. Add an even layer of marshmallows over the top of the sweet potatoes (once the casserole is done) and place in the oven for 5-10 minutes until the marshmallows are gooey and toasted!
Ingredient Notes and Shopping List
Sweet Potatoes – You’ll need 5 large sweet potatoes for this recipe. We use whole sweet potatoes and pop them right in the oven!
Brown Sugar – This adds all of the sweetness to the sweet potatoes. You can use dark brown sugar or light brown sugar.
Butter – This adds so much flavor to the sweet potato mixture! Use good quality butter for the best flavor.
Heavy Cream – The cream gives the casserole a creamy texture.
Vanilla Extract – Add flavor and gives more depth to the dish. Use pure vanilla extract.
Salt – Enhances the flavors in the recipe.
Fluffy Marshmallows or Marshmallow Fluff – Either of these will work to add a delicious marshmallow topping over the sweet potatoes!
How to Get Smooth Mashed Potatoes
If you don’t have a potato masher, use a fork to get them as smooth as possible. If you want them really smooth add them to a food processor.
We don’t like them too smooth though as the texture is nice for a casserole.
Boiled Potatoes vs. Baked Potatoes
There are two ways to get soft sweet potatoes. You can peel, chop, and then bring them to a boil in a large pot. Then, they’re drained and mashed. However, I find the easiest way is to bake them.
You don’t have to peel or chop and when baked they are even sweeter!
For this method, you simply poke holes in the potatoes, then place them on a baking sheet lined with tin foil and bake until super soft. Then slice opens the top and scoops out the inside of the sweet potato.
Sweet Potato Casserole Toppings
Bourbon – You can even add in a splash of bourbon or any liquor to give the sweet potatoes an extra kick! Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are also great in a sweet potato casserole.
Nuts – Top the casserole with walnuts or pecans for a crunch or add a streusel topping over the top of the casserole.
Orange Juice and Orange Zest – Give the dish some citrus notes with orange juice. It will add so much yummy flavor to the dish! Just add a tablespoon of zest or juice to the recipe.
Cardamom – If you’re a fan of this fall spice, add a 1/2 teaspoon for an incredible flavor. We use it in our apple cider donuts and they are amazing!
Spread the homemade marshmallow fluff over the mashed sweet potatoes.
Marshmallow Toppings
There are two ways you can add toasty marshmallows to this dish!
Marshmallow Fluff – Spread the homemade marshmallow fluff over the mashed sweet potatoes. Using a kitchen torch, torch the marshmallow fluff until it’s toasty!
Marshmallows – Place large marshmallows or mini marshmallows over the top of the mashed sweet potatoes before baking. They will become gooey marshmallows and taste so good in this classic sweet potato casserole.
Sweet potatoes and yams are different. Yams have tougher skin and are starchier. They’re not as sweet as sweet potatoes. You can technically use sweet potatoes or yams in this sweet potato casserole recipe, but sweet potatoes are our favorite!
Sweet potatoes are a type of starchy, sweet-tasting potato. They have an orange color inside and can be eaten cooked or raw and are often used in sweet or savory dishes.
Yes, this is a great make-ahead recipe! Prepare the casserole and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Add the marshmallows right before you’re ready to bake.
Sweet potato casserole will stay good in the refrigerator for three to five days. This is with a marshmallow topping too. After five days we always discard the sweet potatoes.
This sweet potato casserole is the perfect holiday side dish! It’s easy to make, can be made ahead of time, and is always a huge hit! It’s sweet, creamy, fluffy, and has the perfect amount of crunch.
This dish has always been a favorite, and I know it will be one of your favorites, too! Give this sweet potato casserole recipe a try, and let us know what you think! Leave a comment and review below!
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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Casserole
- 5 large sweet potatoes , washed and pat dry
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 10 large marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425-degrees Fahrenheit
- Rinse and pat dry the potatoes.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and place the potatoes on the foil to bake.
- Bake until tender for about 1 hour. You want them to be extra soft.
- Cut them open and scoop out the sweet potato and place in a bowl, leaving the skin behind.
- Mash the sweet potatoes with butter, sugar, salt, vanilla, and heavy cream while they’re hot.
- Mash until the texture is smooth or how you like it. You can also use an electric mixer or blender to get smooth potatoes.
- Spread the mashed sweet potatoes into a casserole dish.
- Top with regular or large marshmallows, OR spread the homemade marshmallow fluff over the mashed sweet potatoes.
- If you're using marshmallows, bake the dish in a 350-degree oven for 5 mins or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
- Using a kitchen torch, torch the marshmallow fluff until it’s toasty!
Sooo good!! Just made this casserole the other night and it was a HUGE hit!! Can’t wait to make again!!
This recipe is really amazing! Perfect for any occasion! Thanks a bunch for this very tasty sweet potato casserole recipe! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
This was a hit! We loved the toasted marshmallow fluff on top. Thanks for this highly recommended recipe Eden!
I’m not finding the recipe for the homemade marshmallow fluff!
Never mind…I found it!
Oh. My. Gosh! This is gorgeous! The result looks so powerful. I’m a fan of the marshmallow topping but I’ve never even thought of the combination of sweet potatoes with marshmallows. I believe the taste of this sweet potato casserole is just phenomenal. I’m so inspired. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this brilliant idea and all of your useful recommendations. Such treasure. This made my day. I’m so lucky to have discovered your wonderful blog. Gonna browse it to explore more amazing recipes.
Best wishes,
Ann