Awwww 🥹🎄 if Nana says it’s required at Christmas dinner… then it’s not optional. It’s tradition. It’s law. It’s legacy. 💛
Let’s make this the full, cozy, holiday-table showstopper it deserves:
🎄🥔 Nana’s Christmas Sweet Potato Casserole
Creamy • Buttery • Topped with Crunchy Perfection
Some dishes aren’t just food—they’re memories baked into a casserole dish. This Sweet Potato Casserole is the one Nana expects to see front and center at Christmas dinner. It’s rich and velvety underneath, sweet but balanced, and crowned with a golden, crunchy topping that makes everyone sneak seconds before dessert.
It’s warm. It’s nostalgic. It’s the taste of the holidays.
And yes—Christmas just wouldn’t feel right without it.
🧾 Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Base:
4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 4–5 large potatoes)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
½ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt
For the Crunchy Pecan Topping:
1 cup chopped pecans
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup melted butter
Optional: mini marshmallows for a classic finish
🧑🍳 Instructions & Method
1️⃣ Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Boil or roast sweet potatoes until fork-tender. Mash until smooth and creamy.
2️⃣ Mix the Filling
In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, melted butter, sugars, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
Spread evenly into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
3️⃣ Make the Topping
In a separate bowl, mix pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter until crumbly.
Sprinkle generously over the sweet potato mixture.
4️⃣ Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes until heated through and the topping is golden and crisp.
If adding marshmallows, sprinkle them on during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
🔬 Formation: Why This Dish Is So Loved
Sweet potatoes provide natural creaminess
Eggs + milk create structure and richness
Brown sugar + butter deepen flavor
Pecan crumble topping adds contrast and crunch
It’s the balance of soft and crisp that makes it unforgettable.
📜 A Little History
Sweet potato casseroles became a Southern holiday staple in the early 1900s when marshmallows were marketed as a festive topping. Over time, families added pecan streusel for extra texture and richness. Today, it’s one of the most beloved Christmas and Thanksgiving side dishes in many homes.
Tradition passed down, one casserole at a time.
💛 For Holiday Lovers
This dish is perfect for:
Christmas dinner
Thanksgiving
Family potlucks
Anyone who believes sides are better than the main dish
Serve alongside roast turkey, ham, or prime rib.
Or just take a spoon straight from the dish (Nana would understand).
🔁 Methods for Lovers (Pro Tips)
Roast sweet potatoes instead of boiling for deeper flavor
Add orange zest for brightness
Use maple syrup instead of sugar for a twist
Double the topping (no one complains about extra crunch)
🎄 Conclusion
Nana’s Christmas Sweet Potato Casserole isn’t just a side dish—it’s part of the celebration. Creamy, sweet, buttery, and crowned with that irresistible crunch, it’s the recipe everyone waits for each year.
And honestly? If it’s not on the table… it’s not really Christmas. 💛✨
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