Creamy Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe with Crunch

Sweet potato casserole by Paula Deen elevates humble tubers into a culinary masterpiece that dances with southern charm.

Silky smooth textures mingle with warm, inviting spices, creating a symphony of comfort on every plate.

Delicate sweet potatoes transform into a golden canvas of pure indulgence, promising a sensory experience that transcends ordinary side dishes.

Layers of rich, creamy goodness blend seamlessly with a crunchy topping that adds irresistible contrast and depth.

Generations have cherished this recipe as more than just food – it’s a nostalgic journey wrapped in buttery warmth.

Each forkful tells a story of family, tradition, and love, inviting you to savor every decadent bite.

Unlock the magic of this soul-satisfying dish that turns simple ingredients into an unforgettable culinary celebration.

Bakeware & More for Paula’s Sweet Potato Casserole

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining sweet potato filling ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer: Essential for blending mixture to creamy consistency.
• Spatula: Helps spread filling evenly in the casserole dish.
• 1 1/2-quart casserole dish: Ideal for baking and serving the sweet potato casserole.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Fork: Great for creating the crumbly nut topping.
• Oven: Needed to bake the casserole to golden perfection.
• Cooking spray or butter: Used for greasing the baking dish.

Paula’s Step-by-Step Guide to Sweet Potato Casserole

• Warm Up the Kitchen

Fire up your oven to a cozy 325°F. Grease a casserole dish with a generous layer of butter to ensure nothing sticks.

• Whip Together Sweet Potato Magic

Grab a big mixing bowl and combine mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blend everything using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes silky smooth. Gently fold in heavy cream for extra richness.

• Create Delicious Layers

Pour the velvety sweet potato mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula. The surface should look perfectly smooth and inviting.

• Build a Crunchy Crown

In another bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and chopped nuts. Use a fork to create a crumbly topping that will add amazing texture and flavor to your casserole.

• Bake to Perfection

Sprinkle the nutty topping across the sweet potato base. Slide the dish into the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown topping and a heated-through casserole that screams comfort food. Serve while warm and enjoy the delightful Southern-style treat that will make everyone at the table smile.

Tips to Add Crunch or Sweetness to Sweet Potato Casserole

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Experiment with adding a splash of bourbon or orange zest to the sweet potato mixture for an unexpected depth of flavor that will surprise and delight your taste buds.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Simply take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature, making holiday meal prep a breeze.
• Customize Your Crunch: Swap out pecans for different nuts like almonds or macadamia nuts. For a nut-free version, try toasted coconut flakes or crushed graham crackers to maintain that irresistible textural contrast.
• Dietary Twist: Transform this recipe into a lighter version by substituting coconut milk for heavy cream and using a sugar alternative like monk fruit sweetener. Gluten-free bakers can replace all-purpose flour with almond flour in the topping for a delicious modification.

How to Plate & Serve Casserole with Southern Flair

• Elevate Your Casserole Experience: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert twist that melts into the warm sweet potato layers.
• Pairing Perfect Proteins: Complement this sweet casserole with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or grilled chicken to create a balanced and satisfying main course.
• Holiday Table Star: Showcase this dish during Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings as a delightful side that bridges the gap between savory and sweet, guaranteed to impress family and friends.
• Brunch Brilliance: Transform the casserole into a morning treat by adding a dollop of whipped cream and serving it alongside crispy bacon or scrambled eggs for a memorable weekend breakfast.

Tips for Keeping Sweet Potato Casserole Delicious Later

• Preserve Deliciousness: Store leftover sweet potato casserole in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or place the entire casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning of the topping.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Frozen portions can be stored up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the original texture and flavor.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Complete the entire casserole up to 2 days before serving. Keep covered in the refrigerator and add the pecan topping just before baking to ensure maximum crunchiness and freshness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 355 kcal

Servings: 8

Everything You Need for Sweet Potato Casserole (Paula Deen)

• Sweet Potatoes: Choose firm, vibrant orange tubers without soft spots or blemishes.
• Granulated Sugar: Opt for pure, fine-crystal sugar for smooth sweetness.
• Melted Butter: Select high-quality unsalted butter for rich, creamy texture.
• Eggs: Pick fresh, large eggs at room temperature for better blending.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla for deep, complex flavor notes.

• Ground Cinnamon: Select fragrant, fresh ground cinnamon for warm undertones.
• Ground Nutmeg: Choose whole nutmeg and grate freshly for intense aromatic depth.
• Heavy Cream: Select full-fat cream for luxurious, silky consistency.

• Brown Sugar: Look for moist, dark brown sugar with rich molasses undertones.
• All-Purpose Flour: Pick unbleached flour for better texture and taste.
• Pecans, Walnuts: Select fresh, crisp nuts without any rancid smell.
• Melted Butter: Same recommendation as sweet potato base butter.

Heavenly Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet potato casserole by Paula Deen brings southern comfort to holiday tables with marshmallow-topped goodness. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes create a rich base crowned with golden, crispy marshmallow layers that melt in your mouth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (720 ml) sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed)
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 1 cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• ⅓ cup (76 g) melted butter
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) melted butter
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ⅓ cup (40 g) flour
• 1 cup (100 g) pecans or walnuts (chopped)

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Mash sweet potatoes until ultra-smooth, eliminating all lumps for a luxurious consistency.
2. Mixing Foundation: Combine mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl, blending thoroughly with an electric mixer until achieving a uniform, creamy texture.
3. Liquid Integration: Gently fold in heavy whipping cream, ensuring a light and airy mixture without deflating the delicate composition.
4. Dish Setup: Preheat oven to 162 degrees Celsius and butter a ceramic casserole dish, spreading the sweet potato blend evenly across the surface.
5. Crumble Construction: Create a topping by mixing melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and chopped pecans in a separate bowl, using a fork to develop a loose, crumbly consistency.
6. Final Assembly: Sprinkle the nutty crumble generously over the sweet potato base, covering the entire surface with an even layer.
7. Baking Process: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the topping turns golden brown and edges begin to bubble slightly.

Notes

• Mash Thoroughly: Eliminate all lumps in sweet potatoes for a luxuriously smooth, silky texture that guarantees a creamy consistency.
• Whip with Precision: Use an electric mixer to blend ingredients completely, ensuring no streaks or unmixed components remain visible in the mixture.
• Temperature Control: Maintain exact oven temperature at 162°C (325°F) for perfect golden-brown topping and ideal baking results without burning.
• Crumble Technique: Blend topping ingredients gently with a fork to create a loose, even crumble that provides maximum crunch and texture contrast.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 355
• Sugar: 56 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg