Easy Homemade Sweet Potato Delight With Pecan Crunch Topping Recipe

Sweet potato delight beckons with its creamy, luxurious texture and rich, earthy undertones that craft ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Warm spices dance through this comforting dish, creating a sensory experience that tantalizes taste buds and warms the soul.

Nutty pecans add an irresistible crunch, elevating the smooth sweet potato base with unexpected complexity and depth.

Each forkful promises a harmonious blend of rustic sweetness and nutty sophistication that transcends typical side dishes.

Seasonal ingredients merge seamlessly, crafting a culinary creation that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Home cooks and food enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by this recipe’s elegant simplicity and robust flavor profile.

Prepare to fall in love with a dish that celebrates fundamental ingredients while delivering maximum deliciousness.

Sweet Potato Crunch Bake View

• Creamy Comfort Classic: This sweet potato dish delivers velvety smooth textures that melt in your mouth, offering ultimate comfort food satisfaction with minimal cooking skills required.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: Preparing this recipe takes less than an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute holiday gatherings where you want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Nutty Textural Excitement: The pecan crunch topping provides delightful contrast to the soft sweet potato base, creating a dynamic eating experience with crunchy, caramelized edges that add exciting texture and depth of flavor.
• Versatile Celebration Dish: Suitable for multiple occasions from family dinners to potlucks, this recipe seamlessly transitions between casual and elegant settings while pleasing both kids and adults with its balanced sweetness and rich, wholesome ingredients.

Sweet Potato Crunch Ingredient List

• Sweet Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable with creamy texture and natural sweetness, choose firm potatoes without blemishes.
• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and richness to the filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the dish.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
• Craisins: Dried cranberries that provide sweet-tart bursts and interesting texture.

• Unsalted Butter (Melted): Creates smooth, rich base for the sweet potato mixture and crunch topping, helps develop deep flavor.

• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create crispy topping.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind the crumb topping and create crunchy texture.
• Pecans: Adds nutty crunch and complementary flavor to sweet potato base, select fresh and crisp nuts.
• Cold Butter (Diced): Creates flaky, crumbly texture in the topping when worked into dry ingredients.

Bake Sweet Potato Crunch Topping

Step 1: Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Peel and chop sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Place in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook until fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain thoroughly and mash using an electric mixer for extra smoothness.

Step 2: Create Creamy Sweet Potato Base

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

Blend this mixture into the mashed sweet potatoes. Gently fold in craisins and spread evenly in a 9×13 inch casserole dish.

Step 3: Craft Pecan Crunch Topping

In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar and flour. Add cold diced butter and work with your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in chopped pecans until well distributed.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake Casserole

Sprinkle the pecan topping generously over the sweet potato mixture. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until heated through and edges begin to puff slightly. The topping should turn golden and crispy.

Serving Tip: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and topping to crisp up perfectly.

Tips for Crunchy Topped Potatoes

• Potato Perfection: Boil sweet potatoes just until fork-tender to maintain their rich, creamy texture without becoming mushy.
• Butter Blending Technique: Use room temperature butter when mixing to ensure smooth, even incorporation into the sweet potato base.
• Crunch Creation: Massage the butter into the topping mixture with cool hands to create those perfect, crumbly pecan clusters.
• Temperature Triumph: Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set and flavors to meld beautifully.
• Flavor Boost: Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for an extra layer of warm, aromatic depth.

Save Sweet Potato Bake for Later

• Refrigeration: Store leftover sweet potato casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Keep the topping crisp by storing separately if possible.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. For maintaining the pecan crunch, reheat in the oven at 350˚F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Freezing: Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Avoid refreezing to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Pair This Sweet Potato Dish Right

• Pair with Warm Bourbon Cider: Elevate the sweet potato dish with a cozy bourbon-spiked apple cider that complements the rich, nutty pecan topping and brings out the dessert's warm spices.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful contrast by serving a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm sweet potato casserole, balancing the dish's warmth with cool, smooth sweetness.
• Serve with Spiced Chai Latte: Enhance the dessert's autumnal flavors with a spiced chai latte that echoes the warm cinnamon-like notes and provides a comforting, aromatic companion to the sweet potato delight.
• Complement with Caramel Whipped Cream: Drizzle a homemade caramel whipped cream over the dish to add an extra layer of decadence that highlights the sweet potato's natural richness and the pecan crunch.

Fun Sweet Potato Crunch Twists

• Southern Marshmallow Magnificence: Replace the pecan crunch topping with a layer of mini marshmallows, broiling for 2-3 minutes until golden and puffy for a classic Southern-style sweet potato casserole.
• Maple Bacon Burst: Crumble crispy bacon over the sweet potato mixture before adding the pecan topping, and drizzle with pure maple syrup for a savory-sweet combination that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Spiced Caribbean Fusion: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of ginger into the sweet potato mixture, then top with toasted coconut flakes instead of pecans for a tropical-inspired version.
• Vegan Harvest Transformation: Swap eggs with mashed banana, use coconut oil instead of butter, and substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar to create a plant-based alternative that maintains the rich, comforting flavors of the original dish.

Sweet Potato Delight With Pecan Crunch Topping Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Warm, comforting Sweet Potato Delight showcases Southern hospitality with its creamy texture and irresistible pecan topping. Rich flavors and crisp nutty layers invite you to savor each delightful spoonful of this heartwarming classic.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 lbs (1.8 kg) sweet potatoes, approximately 6 cups when mashed
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ½ tablespoon (7.5 ml) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (150 g) dried cranberries (craisins)

Topping Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup (133 g) packed brown sugar
• ⅓ cup (42 g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour substitute)
• 3 tablespoons (42 g) cold, diced unsalted butter
• 1 cup (100 g) coarsely chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Prepare the sweet potatoes by thoroughly washing them, then carefully peel and slice into uniform 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) chunks to ensure even cooking.
2. Transfer the sweet potato pieces into a large pot and completely submerge with cold water. Heat the pot over medium-high heat, allowing the water to reach a gentle boil and cook for 12-15 minutes until the chunks become tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Drain the cooked sweet potatoes completely and return them to the pot. Use an electric mixer to transform the potatoes into a smooth, creamy consistency, eliminating any lumps.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and select a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) casserole dish for baking.
5. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, melted unsalted butter, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture becomes thoroughly combined and slightly frothy.
6. Gently fold the whisked mixture into the mashed sweet potatoes, ensuring an even incorporation of ingredients.
7. Fold in the dried cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the sweet potato mixture.
8. Spread the sweet potato mixture uniformly in the prepared casserole dish, creating a smooth surface.
9. For the pecan crunch topping, combine brown sugar and all-purpose flour in a separate mixing bowl.
10. Add cold diced unsalted butter to the flour mixture, using fingertips to blend until the texture resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs.
11. Incorporate chopped pecans into the crumb mixture, ensuring they are well distributed.
12. Generously sprinkle the pecan crunch topping over the sweet potato base, covering the entire surface.
13. Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, watching for the edges to become slightly puffy and the topping to turn a golden brown.

Notes

• Boil sweet potatoes until fork-tender for the smoothest, creamiest texture possible.
• Craisins add a delightful burst of tangy sweetness that complements the rich, buttery sweet potato base.
• Rub butter into the topping mixture by hand to create perfect, crumbly pecan crunch that elevates the entire dish.
• Bake uncovered to ensure the topping becomes golden and crisp, creating a delectable contrast to the soft sweet potato filling.
• Make ahead and reheat gently to preserve the dish’s creamy consistency and nutty topping.
• Serve warm as a show-stopping side dish or decadent dessert that blends comfort and elegance.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling, Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 412 kcal
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 125 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg