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Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Casserole: Best Homemade Recipe

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A rich and comforting sweet potato casserole featuring a creamy, tangy filling made with cream cheese and topped with a buttery, crunchy pecan streusel. This reliable side dish is perfect for holidays and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 medium sweet potatoes (orange-fleshed varieties like Beauregard or Jewel)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for filling) and cold cubed (for streusel)
  • 8 oz full-fat block cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • Pinch of flaky sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash sweet potatoes, poke with a fork, and roast directly on the rack or on a lined baking sheet for 45-60 minutes until soft. Let cool, peel, and mash the flesh until smooth.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add melted butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until combined, then fold in the mashed sweet potatoes until thick and spreadable.
  3. In a small bowl, combine flour, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a 9×9 inch baking dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle the pecan streusel evenly over the top, pressing lightly to adhere.
  5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until the streusel is golden brown and edges are bubbling. Cover loosely with foil if topping browns too quickly.
  6. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.

Notes

Roasting the sweet potatoes concentrates flavor and makes peeling easier compared to boiling. Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps. Keep butter cold for the streusel to maintain a crumbly texture. For a gluten-free version, use almond flour or a 1:1 GF blend in the topping. For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, southern recipe, pecan streusel, holiday side dish, cream cheese sweet potatoes, Thanksgiving recipe, comfort food

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