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Bake up some fresh sweet potatoes to make Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping. The easy brown sugar and pecan streusel is a delicious addition to the traditional marshmallow topping, and one that your friends and family will love!

Sweet potato casserole with streusel topping in a white casserole dish

This post is sponsored by Challenge Butter. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.

I don’t know about where you are, but here in the Midwest, it is finally – FINALLY – feeling like fall.

The weather is cooler and perfect for snuggling under blankets with a cup of coffee. The leaves are changing. Sweaters are being worn.

And my brain is already thinking ahead to Thanksgiving.

I know, I know. We still have to get through Halloween first. But then we get to one of the best holidays of the year! 

So I am going to say it’s not too early to start planning my Thanksgiving dinner menu. Right? Starting with a classic: Sweet Potato Casserole.

Close-up view of marshmallows and streusel topping on sweet potato casserole

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE WITH TWO TOPPINGS

Growing up, I wasn’t too fond of sweet potatoes, so every holiday dinner I would take a spoonful of my Nana’s sweet potato casserole and systematically remove and eat every single toasted mini marshmallow from my serving – leaving behind a pile of untouched canned sweet potatoes.

In fact, I am pretty certain that’s what 10 out of 12 family members did.

Baked sweet potatoes on a foil-lined sheet tray, with one of the sweet potatoes split open

I decided to take the flavors of Nana’s casserole, which was brimming with brown sugar, vanilla and a little cinnamon – but kick it up a notch by using freshly baked sweet potatoes and not one, but two toppings.

First I topped the casserole with a layer of pecan-infused streusel topping for added texture and sweetness. This first topping is made with brown sugar, cinnamon, and my favorite Challenge Salted Butter.

I try to be conscious of the quality of the ingredients I use on a daily basis, but especially on special holidays. I trust Challenge Butter wholeheartedly and have been using their products in my kitchen for years, so of course I reach for them when making holiday side dishes such as Sweet Potato Casserole.

Ingredients for sweet potato casserole on a marble countertop

I suppose if you were not a fan of marshmallows on your sweet potatoes, you could stop there with just the streusel.

But me? Inside I’m still the little kid who loves those mini marshmallows.

So after some time in the oven for the streusel to get crisp, I sprinkled on a healthy handful of marshmallows for good measure.

The result was this gorgeous Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping – sweet potato perfection that will be a welcomed side dish to any holiday spread.

Dish of sweet potato casserole with streusel topping and marshmallows

HOW TO COOK SWEET POTATOES FOR CASSEROLE

I loved the way my Nana made a lot of her recipes, but I just couldn’t bring myself to use canned sweet potatoes as the based of my Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping.

Instead, I decided to use fresh sweet potatoes and bake them off before making the casserole.

To cook the sweet potatoes for casserole, prick washed sweet potatoes all over with a fork and place them on a foiled-lined baking sheet. Bake the potatoes for 75-90 minutes or until they are nice and soft and cooked through.

Once they’re cooked, let the sweet potatoes cool slightly before using them to make the casserole.

Spoon dishing out sweet potato casserole with streusel topping and sweet potatoes

Yes, 75-90 minutes is a while to wait while the potatoes bake, but I like to use that time to clean the house or prep other dishes such as scalloped potatoes, feta cheese ball or sweet and salty cheesecake.

You can also bake the potatoes a day or two before you plan to make your Sweet Potato Casserole.

Plated sweet potato casserole next to roasted brussels sprouts

CAN YOU MAKE SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE AHEAD OF TIME?

The biggest question I get for holiday recipes is whether they can be made ahead of time. No one really wants to do 100% of their holiday dinner prep the day-of.

Luckily, you can absolutely make this Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping ahead of time. Simply prepare the sweet potato portion of the casserole, spread it into the prepared casserole dish, cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.

In a separate bowl, mix together the streusel topping, cover and refrigerate.

Serving of sweet potato casserole with streusel and marshmallow toppings on a plate

When you’re ready to bake the casserole, sprinkle the topping onto the casserole and bake as directed, finishing with the mini marshmallows.

If you’re using a glass casserole dish, I recommend letting the casserole come to room temperature before placing it in the oven.

Enjoy this Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping this holiday season. I know you’ll love the sweet, pecan- and marshmallow-filled topping with the creamy sweet potatoes.

Hands placing a dish of sweet potato casserole on the countertop

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping

By: Jamie
4.44 from 73 ratings
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Bake up some fresh sweet potatoes to make Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping. The easy brown sugar and pecan streusel is a delicious addition to the traditional marshmallow topping, and one that your friends and family will love! 

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ pounds fresh sweet potatoes about 5 medium
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg beaten
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter softened
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FOR THE TOPPING:

  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter softened
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Wash the sweet potatoes, prick them with a fork and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 75-90 minutes or until they are cooked through and soft. Allow potatoes to cool slightly until they are comfortable to touch.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Butter an 11x7 inch casserole dish and set it aside.
  • Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop the insides into a large mixing bowl and discard skins. If you want the sweet potatoes to be ultra-smooth, you can push them through a potato ricer at this point.
  • Add sugar, egg, salt, cinnamon, butter, milk, and vanilla to the sweet potatoes. Use an electric mixer and combine until the mixture is thoroughly incorporated and smooth.
  • Scoop the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and smooth the top into an even layer. 
  • In medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potatoes.
  • Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned.
  • Remove pan from oven, top with mini marshmallows and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the marshmallows are melty and golden brown.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcal, Carbohydrates: 82g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 288mg, Potassium: 756mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 42g, Vitamin A: 28519IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 104mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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95 Comments

  1. caroline says:

    I’ve made this twice. Once as is and it was fabulous and now for thanksgiving. This time I reduced the sugar by half in the filling and cut the butter just a bit. Kept the topping as is. It is still fabulous. I do make ahead and it reheats just fine. This is a great recipe.

    1. Jamie says:

      Thank you, Caroline! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

  2. Karen says:

    Would this work in a crockpot?

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi, Karen! I think everything would work except for the topping, which would probably lose its texture in the crockpot. I hope you had a great holiday season!

  3. Paula says:

    I am not sure how many pounds of sweet potatoes I used.  How thin (or thick) is the mixture before you bake it.  Wondering if I need to add more sweet potatoes.  Hoping it will bake and set up, but would love your advice.

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi, Paula! The mixture shouldn’t be too runny but not too thick either so the casserole doesn’t dry out. I hope they set up for you! Let me know if you have any other questions.

  4. Denise says:

    I’ve been making this recipe @Thanksgiving for a few years and it’s always a hit. Why only at the holidays, I don’t know, lol

  5. M Brock says:

    I prepared this and toppedd it off with mminiature marshmells the last 15 miutes. Delicious!
    Has anybody tried making this ahead and storing it before baking?

    1. Yaz says:

      A little bit late to respond but in 2020 I made it last night, refrigerated and planning on baking tomorrow closer to lunch (our thanksgiving will be lunch) so far so good. I’ll update tomorrow with my family reviews. :D

    2. Jamie says:

      I hope you loved it, Yaz!

  6. CC says:

    Is casserole firm when it comes out of the oven.

    1. Jamie says:

      CC-
      The casserole will be set, not runny. I hope this is helpful.

      -Jamie

  7. Lauren Cook says:

    This casserole is “to die for”! After it was done browning on top I added half a bag of mini-marshmallows and broiled for a couple minutes to make it even more decadent! Making this for Thanksgiving 2014! Will definitely make TWO next time so there are leftovers!

    1. Jamie says:

      Lauren,

      That’s great to hear! I”m so happy that you loved the recipe. Have a fantastic day and thank you for following MBA!

      -Jamie

  8. Jacinto Jorge says:

    Made it for thanksgiving and everybody loved it…upset that there was no left over….

  9. Jacinto Jorge says:

    Making this one for thanksgiving….looks easy and very good.

    1. Jamie says:

      Jacinto-

      Thank you so much! Please stop back and let us know your experience with the recipe! Happy holidays!

      -Jamie

  10. Rashida says:

    Hello,
    I’ve never had sweet potato in such manner and I like it so much. I’m bookmarking it.
    It’s nice meeting you.

    Have a Happy & Healthy week head!