Praline Sweet Potato Casserole

Praline Sweet Potato Casserole will convert anyone who *thinks* they hate sweet potatoes into someone who craves them. If you are looking for amazing sides for Thanksgiving dinner, this is the best sweet potato recipe!  This recipe comes straight from the South, so while it may not be very healthy, you know it is fabulous.  This holiday side dish recipe is much more like a dessert but that is what makes it such a perfect indulgence.  You will never guess what gives these sweet potatoes their perfectly creamy texture….

A sweet potato side dish everyone loves

When it comes to sides for Thanksgiving, there are a few required recipes like my world famous Amish Potato Rolls and Garlic Mashed Potatoes but it wouldn’t be the holidays without this Praline Sweet Potato Casserole. If you think you don’t like sweet potatoes, you have to give these a try. They are amazing and converted me to sweet potatoes about 15 years ago. We love them so much that we make a pan of them for Christmas as well.

Why this is the best sweet potato recipe for Thanksgiving

What makes this the best sweet potato recipe?

• The recipe is very easy and quick. By microwaving the potatoes and then mashing them you save a lot of time vs baking or boiling them and there is less cleanup.
• I make these sweet potatoes with extra praline topping so there is plenty of sweetness and texture. The praline topping adds a really nice crunch element in addition to flavor from the pecans, butter and brown sugar.
• The sweet potatoes are rich and flavorful. With the addition of eggs, cream, vanilla and sugar the sweet potatoes are sweet and creamy.
• This dish could also work as a dessert. Drizzle a little maple syrup on top and you almost have a sweet potato streusel or crustless pie.
• My kids will actually eat these sweet potatoes without hesitation. That alone puts this recipe top of my list for what to make each Thanksgiving.

There are people who come to have Thanksgiving dinner at my house solely for this recipe.  I have converted so many people to this sweet potato casserole recipe, all who swear they can’t stand them.

Sweet Potato Casserole Seasoning Suggestions

This sweet potato casserole is sweet and tasty just as it is but if you want to add a little extra seasoning or season another sweet potato dish these are my seasoning recommendations. I suggest you add spices in 1 tsp increments to ensure you do not over season.

• Ground or freshly grated ginger
• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Clove
• Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Paprika
• Sage
• Bourbon – add with the cream and eggs, about 1-2oz is plenty
• Bacon Fat – add 1-2 Tbs with the cream and eggs

Baking spices work great with sweet potatoes but you can also use some savory seasonings like sage, bacon fat, and parika.

Steps to Make Praline Sweet Potato Casserole

This recipe is so easy it does not even need a video. Just follow these easy steps and you will have a sweet and delicious sweet potato side dish for Thanksgiving.

1. Preheat Oven to 350
2. Peal sweet potatoes and microwave in a microwave-safe dish on high in 2 minute increments until fully cooked and soft
3. Mash sweet potatoes
4. Whisk together the cream, eggs, vanilla and sugar
5. Fold the cream mixture into the potatoes and fully combine
6. Spread the sweet potatoes into a greased casserole dish
7. With a pastry cutter, cut together the butter, brown sugar and flour until crumbly and then mix in the pecans
8. Sprinkle the praline streusel topping over the sweet potatoes.
9. Bake for 30 minutes.

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Substitutions

I know sometimes we end up being out of things in our pantry or have dietary restrictions that prevent us from being able to make recipes exactly as they are written. Here are some helpful tips on what can be substituted in this recipe.

• Granualted Sugar. This recipe uses regular granualted sugar in the sweet potatoes. You can always substitute light brown, turbinado, coconut sugar, or date sugar if you prefer. You can also use 1/4 cup of maple syrup if you prefer. If you want a more savory side feel free to leave the sugar out of the potatoes and only have it in the streusel topping.
• Eggs. You can remove the eggs if you like. The eggs make the dish rich and silky but the dish will work without them.
• Heavy Cream. If you want to use a half and half or whole milk you can but I would use only 1.5 cups so they are not watery. You can also do half milk and half sour cream or yogurt if you do not have heavy cream.
• Pecans. The pecans can be substituted with the nut of your choice. I think pecans work best but I know everyone has their preference. If you want to be nut free you can use oats or pumpkin seeds (pepitas).

Praline Sweet Potato Casserole

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5 from 4 reviews

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These praline sweet potatoes are our favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipe!  They are so yummy that we eat these instead of pie.

• Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 C mashed sweet potatoes (cook in the microwave)
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1 Tb vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 pint heavy cream
• 1/4 pound butter
• 1 C brown sugar
• 1/2 C flour
• 1 C chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Spray 2 quart casserole dish with nonstick spray. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together the sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla, eggs and cream. Spread in the casserole dish.
3. With a pastry cutter, cut together the butter, brown sugar and flour until crumbly. Mix in the pecans and sprinkle over the potatoes. Bake for 30 minutes.

• Author: Carole Jones
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 30
• Method: Aven
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/8th
• Calories: 489
• Sugar: 43g
• Sodium: 36mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 61g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 97mg