If you’re craving a taste of classic comfort, nothing quite hits the spot like this Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe. It’s a heartwarming dish that combines tender, sweet potatoes infused with buttery brown sugar glaze and topped with irresistibly toasted marshmallows. This casserole is more than just a side; it’s a celebration of rich flavors and nostalgia on a plate, perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners when you want to share something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe shine is the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and just a hint of spice that makes every bite memorable.
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter: Adds rich, creamy depth and helps create the luscious glaze.
- 5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and diced: The star ingredient, bringing natural sweetness and a smooth texture.
- 1 cup brown sugar: Provides warmth and caramel notes that complement the potatoes beautifully.
- 1/2 cup water: Helps soften the potatoes during cooking without diluting flavor.
- 1 1/2 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- 1/2 tsp pepper: Adds a subtle, grounding spice to keep the dish from being overly sweet.
- 4 cups mini marshmallows: The iconic topping that melts into golden, gooey perfection.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: For the sweet, crunchy marshmallow topping.
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten: Helps bind the topping ingredients and gives it a lovely structure.
- 1/8 tsp salt: Enhances the topping’s flavors.
- 1 pinch cumin: A hint of warm earthiness that adds complexity to the topping.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Potatoes and Butter
Start by heating your oven to 450 degrees and melting the butter in a large dutch oven over medium heat. This step gets the base ready for simmering the sweet potatoes in butter’s creamy richness.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients for the Potatoes
Add the diced sweet potatoes, 1 cup brown sugar, water, salt, and pepper to the melted butter. Bringing this mixture to a simmer sets the stage for the saccharine magic that’s about to happen.
Step 3: Cook Until Tender
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium low, and stir occasionally while the sweet potatoes cook for 45 to 60 minutes. You’re looking for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness — patience here is rewarded with perfect texture.
Step 4: Create the Glaze
Once the potatoes are soft, remove the lid and turn the heat back up to medium high. Bring the sauce bubbling rapidly, allowing 5 minutes or so for the brown sugar mixture to reduce and thicken into a gorgeously sticky glaze.
Step 5: Prepare the Marshmallow Topping
While the glaze thickens, mix the remaining brown sugar, egg white, salt, and cumin in a medium bowl. This blend will form a flavorful, slightly crunchy topping that adds a sophisticated twist to the familiar marshmallow crust.
Step 6: Assemble the Casserole
Pour the glazed sweet potatoes into a 9×13 baking dish, making sure to spread them out evenly for even cooking.
Step 7: Add the Topping and Bake
Spread the marshmallow mixture evenly over the potatoes, then slide the dish into the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the marshmallows turn a beautiful golden brown, bubbling and crisping just right.
How to Serve Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch, sprinkle some toasted pecans or a light dusting of freshly chopped parsley on top once it’s out of the oven. The nuts add a delightful crunch that contrasts the soft potatoes, while parsley offers a fresh pop of color and brightness to balance the sweetness.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with classic roasted turkey or ham, making it a holiday favorite. You can also serve it alongside a crisp green salad or sautéed green beans for a lighter, yet complementary side.
Creative Ways to Present
Try making individual portions in small ramekins for a personalized touch that wows guests. You can even turn it into a layered dish by alternating sweet potato glaze and marshmallow topping in a clear trifle dish, giving an elegant look and easy serving option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, your Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days and tastes just as delightful when reheated.
Freezing
You can freeze the casserole before adding the marshmallow topping by covering it tightly with foil and placing it in a freezer-safe container. It freezes well for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before adding the topping and baking.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a 350-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Adding a few extra marshmallows on top before reheating can freshen it up and restore that golden finish everyone loves.
FAQs
Can I use fresh or canned sweet potatoes for this recipe?
Fresh sweet potatoes are best because they hold their texture well during simmering and provide vibrant natural sweetness. Canned sweet potatoes don’t work as well here since they’re softer and may become too mushy.
Is there a substitute for marshmallows?
If you’re not a marshmallow fan, try a pecan streusel topping made with brown sugar, butter, and chopped pecans for a crunchy, nutty alternative that complements the sweet potatoes beautifully.
Can I prepare this casserole ahead and bake later?
Absolutely! You can fully prepare the sweet potato base up to a day in advance and refrigerate it. When you’re ready, add the marshmallow topping and bake. This makes holiday meal prep much easier.
Why does this recipe use cumin in the topping?
Cumin adds a subtle warm earthiness that balances the sweetness of the marshmallow topping, giving the dish depth and a slight hint of sophistication without overpowering the classic flavors.
Can I make this casserole vegan?
You can swap butter for a plant-based margarine and use vegan marshmallows. Just be sure to check all ingredients carefully to keep the taste rich and satisfying while maintaining your dietary preference.
Final Thoughts
This Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is more than a dish; it’s a comforting tradition filled with flavors that bring warmth and joy to any table. Whipping it up might become your new favorite way to celebrate family meals or special occasions. So grab those sweet potatoes, and let this classic recipe brighten your kitchen soon!
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Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potato Casserole features tender sweet potatoes simmered in a rich brown sugar glaze, topped with a sweet and spiced marshmallow mixture, and baked to golden perfection. It’s a classic holiday side dish that delivers a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and lightly spiced flavors.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Topping
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 pinch cumin
Instructions
- Preheat and melt butter: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). In a large Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat to prepare for cooking the sweet potatoes.
- Add sweet potatoes and simmer: Add the peeled and diced sweet potatoes, brown sugar, water, salt, and pepper to the Dutch oven. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer.
- Cook sweet potatoes until tender: Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook while stirring often until the sweet potatoes are tender. This should take about 45-60 minutes.
- Reduce glaze: Once the sweet potatoes are tender, remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring the sauce to a rapid simmer and keep cooking until the brown sugar mixture reduces to a thick glaze, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare marshmallow topping: While the glaze is reducing, mix the mini marshmallows, brown sugar, lightly beaten egg white, salt, and cumin in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the glazed sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add marshmallow topping: Evenly spread the marshmallow topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown and slightly toasted.
Notes
- Cooking time for sweet potatoes can vary slightly based on their size and freshness; test for tenderness by piercing with a fork.
- If you prefer a less sweet topping, reduce the amount of brown sugar in the marshmallow mix.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding chopped pecans to the marshmallow topping before baking.
- Keep an eye on the marshmallows while baking to prevent burning.
- Use a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot to ensure even cooking and prevent scorching.
