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Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

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Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients:
  • Sweet potatoes about 2 pounds
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Spices cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves - optional
  • 1 cup brown sugar for topping
  • 1 cup chopped pecans for topping
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for topping
  • 1/4 cup softened butter for topping
  • Marshmallows optional, for topping

Instructions
 

  • Instructions:
  • Begin by preparing the sweet potatoes. You can either boil them in water for about 40-45 minutes or bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 1 hour until they're tender. If you choose to bake, pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape.
  • Once cooked, let them cool enough to handle, then peel and mash them using a potato masher or fork.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, milk, softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix the ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and well combined. For added flavor, consider mixing in spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
  • Next, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, and softened butter. Use a fork to mix these ingredients until they become crumbly. Alternatively, you can create a crunchy topping by mixing crushed cornflakes with pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a baking dish and pour the sweet potato mixture into it, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the topping over the sweet potato mixture. If you prefer a marshmallow topping, sprinkle marshmallows on top instead.
  • Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After baking, let it stand for about 10 minutes before serving, allowing it to set. Confirm that the top is smooth and golden brown for the best presentation.
  • Extra Tips:
  • When preparing Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, verify that your sweet potatoes are cooked until they're very tender, as this will make mashing easier and yield a smoother texture.
  • If you want to save time, you can prepare the sweet potatoes a day in advance. Also, taste the sweet potato mixture before adding the eggs—this way, you can adjust the sweetness or spice levels according to your preference.
  • Finally, feel free to experiment with different toppings to suit your taste; both the pecan streusel and marshmallow options offer unique flavors that can enhance the dish.
  • Final Thoughts