🎉 Introduction
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Holiday Casserole is a warm, cozy, and irresistibly sweet festive side dish that brings true Southern comfort to your Christmas or Thanksgiving table. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are blended with maple syrup, butter, almond milk, and warm spices—then topped with crunchy pecans and gooey marshmallows for the perfect holiday finish.
It’s rich, fragrant, nostalgic, and incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you’re hosting a big holiday dinner or bringing a dish to a winter gathering, this casserole is guaranteed to impress.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large pot
- Mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- Potato masher
- Whisk
- Oven
- Knife & cutting board
🛒 Ingredients
Sweet Potato Base
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup almond milk
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅝ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch allspice
- ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
- 1 cup organic raisins
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
Topping
- 1½ cups raw pecans
- 2 cups marshmallows
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
Step 2: Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, then place them into a large pot.
Step 3: Cover with water and boil for 15–20 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Step 4: Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a mixing bowl.
Step 5: Add almond milk, butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
Step 6: Mash the mixture until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Stir in the raisins and mix well.
Step 8: Transfer the sweet potato mixture into the greased baking dish.
Step 9: Sprinkle pecans evenly across the top.
Step 10: Add marshmallows on top in an even layer.
Step 11: Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden and slightly toasted.
Step 12: Let cool slightly before serving warm.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 8–10
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Up to 3 days, covered tightly.
Freezer
Freeze base only (without toppings) for up to 2 months.
Reheat
- Oven: 325°F for 12–15 minutes
- Microwave: 45–60 seconds per portion
🥄 Variations
⭐ Crunchy Oat Topping
Add rolled oats to the pecan layer.
⭐ Maple Pecan Crumble
Mix pecans with 1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp maple syrup.
⭐ Marshmallow-Free
Top with only pecans for a classic Southern finish.
⭐ Extra Creamy
Add ¼ cup Greek yogurt or extra butter.
⭐ Spiced Holiday Version
Add cloves or ginger for deeper winter warmth.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk?
Yes — whole or low-fat milk both work.
2. Can I remove the raisins?
Yes, or substitute dried cranberries.
3. Can I prepare it the day before?
Yes — assemble and refrigerate, then bake before serving.
4. Do marshmallows melt too much?
Bake uncovered and keep an eye on them.
5. Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
Fresh is best, but canned works in a pinch.
6. Can I make it nut-free?
Replace pecans with pumpkin seeds or omit.
7. Can I use maple-flavored syrup?
Pure maple syrup tastes much better.
8. Why use allspice?
It adds depth and warm holiday aroma.
9. Can I double the recipe?
Yes — use a larger baking dish.
10. Can I reduce the sweetness?
Reduce sugar or skip marshmallows.
🏁 Conclusion
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Holiday Casserole is warm, sweet, creamy, and full of festive flavor. With its buttery sweet potatoes, fragrant spices, crunchy pecans, and toasted marshmallows, it’s a comforting dish that instantly brings holiday joy to the table. Perfect for Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, or any cozy winter celebration.
Southern Maple Sweet Potato Holiday Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
Refrigerator Up to 3 days, covered tightly. Freezer Freeze base only (without toppings) for up to 2 months. Reheat Oven: 325°F for 12–15 minutes Microwave: 45–60 seconds per portion 🥄 Variations
⭐ Crunchy Oat Topping Add rolled oats to the pecan layer. ⭐ Maple Pecan Crumble Mix pecans with 1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp maple syrup. ⭐ Marshmallow-Free Top with only pecans for a classic Southern finish. ⭐ Extra Creamy Add ¼ cup Greek yogurt or extra butter. ⭐ Spiced Holiday Version Add cloves or ginger for deeper winter warmth. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk? Yes — whole or low-fat milk both work. 2. Can I remove the raisins? Yes, or substitute dried cranberries. 3. Can I prepare it the day before? Yes — assemble and refrigerate, then bake before serving. 4. Do marshmallows melt too much? Bake uncovered and keep an eye on them. 5. Can I use canned sweet potatoes? Fresh is best, but canned works in a pinch. 6. Can I make it nut-free? Replace pecans with pumpkin seeds or omit. 7. Can I use maple-flavored syrup? Pure maple syrup tastes much better. 8. Why use allspice? It adds depth and warm holiday aroma. 9. Can I double the recipe? Yes — use a larger baking dish. 10. Can I reduce the sweetness? Reduce sugar or skip marshmallows. 🏁 Conclusion This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Holiday Casserole is warm, sweet, creamy, and full of festive flavor. With its buttery sweet potatoes, fragrant spices, crunchy pecans, and toasted marshmallows, it’s a comforting dish that instantly brings holiday joy to the table. Perfect for Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, or any cozy winter celebration.
