I absolutely love this Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between creamy, sweet, and delightfully crunchy. It’s one of those dishes that instantly says “comfort food” but also feels a little festive, making it perfect for holidays or even a cozy family dinner. I always get excited when I make this because the pecan streusel topping adds such a satisfying texture that keeps people coming back for seconds.
When I first tried this Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe, I was amazed at how easy it is to pull together despite feeling like an indulgence. You’ll find that the buttery sweetness of the mashed sweet potatoes pairs beautifully with the toasted pecan streusel, making it a standout side dish everyone will ask you for. Whether you’re cooking for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just want a lovely casserole to brighten up weeknight dinner, this recipe is an absolute keeper.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Holiday Side: This casserole steals the show on any festive table with its rich, creamy base and crunchy topping.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of what you need on hand, so it’s easy to whip up last minute.
- Customizable Crunch: The pecan streusel adds that irresistible texture, but you can tweak it to your liking, whether more nuts or extra sweetness.
- Family Favorite: Trust me, once you make this Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe, it quickly becomes a go-to for holidays and beyond.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that come together in a harmonious way. Using fresh sweet potatoes makes all the difference, and the pecans give that signature crunchy contrast you’re after.
- Sweet Potatoes: I always pick firm, medium-sized ones for the best texture and sweetness.
- Butter: Unsalted so you can control the saltiness of the dish perfectly.
- Brown Sugar: Adds rich caramel notes that complement the sweet potatoes beautifully.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a touch brings out the natural sweetness even more.
- Milk or Cream: Use whole milk or cream for the creamiest mashed potatoes.
- Egg: Helps bind everything wonderfully so your casserole holds together.
- Pecans: Toast them lightly for maximum crunch and nutty flavor.
- Flour: To hold the pecan streusel topping together nicely.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Optional but I love the subtle warmth they add.
- Salt: Balances all the sweet elements perfectly.
Variations
I like to play around with this Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. It’s easy to swap out a few ingredients without losing the essence of the dish, making it perfect for every season and dietary preference.
- Variation: For a dairy-free version, I substitute the butter and milk with coconut oil and almond milk – still creamy and delicious!
- Variation: Adding a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the sweet potatoes adds a fun spicy kick my family loves.
- Variation: If you want extra sweetness, sprinkle mini marshmallows on top in the last 5 minutes of baking for a classic touch.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe
Step 1: Roast or Boil Sweet Potatoes Until Tender
I like roasting my sweet potatoes because it deepens their flavor and makes them super creamy when mashed, but boiling works great too if you’re short on time. To roast, pierce with a fork and bake at 400°F for about 45-50 minutes until a fork slides in easily. If boiling, peel and cut into chunks, then cook for around 20 minutes until soft.
Step 2: Mash Sweet Potatoes and Mix in Moisture and Flavor
Once your potatoes are tender, mash them thoroughly—no lumps here! Add melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, a splash of milk or cream, and a beaten egg to bind everything. Don’t forget a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Stir until smooth and creamy, tasting as you go for your perfect sweetness and seasoning.
Step 3: Prepare Your Crunchy Pecan Streusel Topping
Chop your pecans finely and toss them with flour, brown sugar, and a bit of cold butter. I learned the trick of using a fork or pastry cutter to blend the butter in until it forms a crumbly mixture that crisps up beautifully in the oven. For an extra touch of warmth, I often add a dash of cinnamon—totally optional but so good!
Step 4: Assemble and Bake to Golden Perfection
Spoon your creamy sweet potato mash into a greased baking dish, smoothing out the top, then sprinkle your pecan streusel evenly over it. Bake at 350°F for about 30-35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and crunchy. That sweet aroma filling your kitchen is always proof you nailed it!
Pro Tips for Making Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe
- Roasting Sweet Potatoes: Roasting brings out the natural sweetness and prevents watery mash—try it if you have time.
- Cold Butter for Streusel: Using cold butter in the streusel keeps crumbs crisp and prevents melting into a soggy topping.
- Toast Your Pecans: Lightly toasting pecans before mixing adds a deeper flavor and extra crunch that’s worth the effort.
- Avoid Overbaking: Bake just until the topping is golden, or you risk drying out the creamy sweet potatoes underneath.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with just a few whole toasted pecans on top for a rustic look, but sometimes I add a light dusting of cinnamon or even a drizzle of maple syrup for a finishing touch that really pops in flavor. These simple garnishes elevate the dish without overshadowing the star—the sweet potato and crunchy topping.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with roast turkey or ham thanks to its balance of sweet and nutty flavors. I also love it alongside steamed green beans or a fresh salad to add that crisp freshness to the meal. It’s my go-to side to round out almost any savory main.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this in mini ramekins so everyone gets their own crispy topping-to-cream ratio, which is always a hit at dinner parties. Another fun idea is layering the casserole in a clear glass dish so guests can see those beautiful layers of smooth sweet potato and crunchy streusel—it never fails to wow.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After it cools completely, cover tightly and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the casserole holds its creamy texture nicely, and the topping stays fairly crunchy if you reheat it right. You can also cover and store the topping separately if you want to keep it extra crisp.
Freezing
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe freezes well if you want to prepare ahead. Just bake it through, let it cool, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven to restore that lovely crunchy topping.
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to life, warm the casserole in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes uncovered. This bakes the topping back to its crunchy glory while warming the sweet potatoes evenly. I avoid microwaving because it can make the topping soggy, and nobody wants that!
FAQs
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Can I make Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole a day or two before your event. I recommend assembling it fully and refrigerating it unbaked, then adding the streusel topping just before baking to keep it fresh and crisp.
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How do I keep the streusel topping crunchy?
Using cold butter when making the streusel helps create nice crumbs that crisp up well. Also, avoid covering the casserole tightly right after baking if you want to maintain that crunch—let it cool uncovered for a bit first.
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Can I substitute the pecans for other nuts?
Definitely. Walnuts and almonds work beautifully in the topping if pecans aren’t your thing or you want to try a different flavor profile.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
You can make it gluten-free by swapping regular flour in the streusel with gluten-free all-purpose flour or almond flour. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious!
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites because it’s just so comforting and crowd-pleasing. I love sharing it with friends and family—there’s something about that creamy sweet potato paired with buttery, crunchy pecans that feels like a warm hug on a plate. You really can’t go wrong here, so I hope you give it a try and make it your own holiday classic too.
Print
Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Streusel Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Ornament Shaped Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring peanut butter sandwich crackers coated in creamy vanilla almond bark and decorated with colorful sanding sugars and miniature peanut butter cups. Easy to make and visually festive, they are perfect for holiday parties and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 30 Ritz Crackers (approximately)
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter (approximately)
Coating and Decoration
- 12 oz Vanilla Almond Bark
- 15 Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, cut in half
- Variety of colored sanding sugars or candies to decorate
Instructions
- Melt the Almond Bark: Melt the vanilla almond bark following the package directions, either in the microwave in short intervals or using a double boiler until smooth and fully melted.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Sandwiches: Spread about a teaspoon of peanut butter on one Ritz cracker, then place another cracker on top to form a sandwich. Repeat for all crackers.
- Coat with Almond Bark: Dip each peanut butter sandwich cookie into the melted almond bark, ensuring it is fully covered, then place it onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Decorate: Quickly press half a miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup onto the top of each coated cookie before the almond bark sets to allow it to adhere. Sprinkle with colored sanding sugars or other candies while the coating is still wet for festive decoration.
- Cool and Set: Allow the cookies to cool at room temperature or refrigerate briefly until the almond bark hardens and the decorations are set. Once hardened, transfer to a serving plate or airtight container for storage.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Work quickly when decorating to ensure the candies stick to the almond bark before it hardens.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- These cookies do not require baking and are great for last-minute holiday treats.
- You can substitute the peanut butter cups with other small candies like chocolate chips or festive sprinkles if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
