Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

This holiday side dish is a big crowd favorite!

My Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole needs to grace your holiday table.

It's mid November so that means the holidays are upon us!

Here's the thing.

I didn't grow up eating sweet potatoes. My Mom just never cooked with them. Whether as a sweet potato fry with our burgers or a sweet side on Thanksgiving. So until I became an adult and tried them I never even knew if I liked them!

After having some amazing sweet potato casseroles in restaurants over the years I knew it would only be time before I tried making my own.

Enter in a few weeks back when I was in Trader Joe's and saw these bags of candied pecans. Two bags miraculously jumped into my cart. The idea of a fun pecan and brown sugar topping came into my head and I just knew I would be testing this dish before Thanksgiving came around.

And that is exactly what happened.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I only had to test it ONCE. That was all it needed. This side dish turned out perfect! I made it midday and when the husband stopped home from lunch I found him hovering over the stove eating it by the spoonful.

Right there my friends should tell you just how good it is.

Now, I know your first question will be, "where do I find candied pecans, Ally?" Well, that's easy! At the grocery store silly!

Honestly, I've seen them at Trader Joe's, ALDI, Hy-Vee....so I'm guessing most stores {especially this time of year} will have them in stock. You can find them next to the regular pecans in the baking aisle or sometimes they are also found in the gourmet nut section, even sometimes in the holiday gift section.

I promise they are not hard to find!

But, if you get in a bind, here is an easy recipe to make your own. Or, if push comes to shove you can certainly use regular pecans.

This bottom layer of creamy, smooth sweet potatoes {only amped up my a bit of cream, salt, brown sugar and butter} make for the best layer. Honestly, they can be eaten alone!

But that topping.

It really does take this dish up a notch. It is super crunchy and sweet. That combination of smooth sweet potatoes and a crunchy, almost praline-like, topping just makes the best bite.

If prepping for the holidays please know that bottom sweet potato layer can be prepped the day ahead and put in the pan, then tucked away in the fridge overnight. Right before baking, add the topping and bake. Simple side dish!

I'd love for you to rate the recipe on the recipe card below if you like this one. It will help people decide if they need to make it for the holidays too!

Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

Yield: 12

Author: Ally

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 45 Min

This decadent sweet potato casserole is topped with a crunchy candied pecan and brown sugar topping. It's dessert or a side dish for the holidays - you pick!

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potato Base

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into bite sized chunks
• 3 T butter
• 3 T heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 t salt

For the Candied Pecan Topping

• 1 cups of candied pecans, chopped finely
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/3 cup cold butter, cubed

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease an 8x8 baking or casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then dice into bite sized chunks.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Drop in the sweet potatoes and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and place back in the pot.
4. Add in the butter, cream, brown sugar and salt to the sweet potatoes and using a potato masher, mash until smooth. Pour this mixture into the bottom of the baking dish, smoothing out to make a flat surface.
5. In a bowl combine the pecans, brown sugar, flour and cubed cold butter. Using a pastry blender or fork start to cut the butter into the mixture. Do this until it resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Sprinkle the candied pecan mixture onto the top of the mashed sweet potatoes covering the whole surface.
7. Bake for 25 minutes.
8. Allow to cool slightly, serving warm.

Notes:

Candied pecans can be found in the baking section or gourmet nut aisle next to the regular pecans. They are extra special as they are already coated in greatness!

Nutrition Facts

Calories

177.99

Fat (grams)

9.43

Sat. Fat (grams)

5.92

Carbs (grams)

23.28

Fiber (grams)

1.07

Net carbs

22.21

Sugar (grams)

16.86

Protein (grams)

1.09

Sodium (milligrams)

79.56

Cholesterol (grams)

25.29

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @sweetsavoryeats on instagram and hashtag it #sweetpotatocasserole