Jazz up old fashioned sweet potato casserole with a splash of bourbon and a brown sugar pecan streusel topping. The balance of sweetness, warmth, and comforting flavors in my easy sweet potato casserole recipe make it a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish year after year.
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When the weather turns chilly, you will find me cooking easy fall recipes with warm comforting flavors, like this bourbon sweet potato casserole and jalapeno mac and cheese.
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About Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
I grew up in Texas eating sweet potato casserole without marshmallows, so when I started creating and testing this recipe I knew I wanted no marshmallows in it. In it's place I wanted a kick of sweetness and crumble topping - enter bourbon and pecans! You don't have to be from the south to enjoy this southern sweet potato casserole.
After multiple tests of this recipe, I finally found the perfect balance of flavors. I will show you how to make sweet potato casserole from scratch with easy step by step instructions.
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes: The star ingredient of this old fashioned sweet potato casserole.
- Bourbon: Adds a rich and complex flavor to the dish, elevating the sweetness of the sweet potatoes. I used the brand Buffalo Trace when testing this recipe.
- Brown sugar: Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the sweet potatoes during baking. You can also use maple syrup in place of sugar.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the casserole, resulting in a luscious texture.
- Eggs: Act as a binding agent, helping to hold the casserole together and giving it structure.
- Spices: The warm aromatic spices of cinnamon and nutmeg complement the sweetness of the potatoes and add depth of flavor to the casserole.
- Pecans: Provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor, adding contrast to the soft and creamy sweet potatoes. While testing this recipe, I've tried it with both pecans and walnuts, either taste great!
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients, exact measurements, and nutritional information.
How to Make Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
My sweet potato casserole with bourbon and pecan topping will impress your guests with maximum flavor and minimal effort. It's also a great side dish to bring to a Thanksgiving potluck because it's easy to transport and a crowd-pleaser!
Step 1: Peel whole sweet potatoes and cut into 1-2 inch cubes.
Step 2: Gently add potatoes to a large pot of boiling water. Cook for 15 minutes or until they are fork tender and are easily pierced with a fork. Drain.
Step 3: Add potatoes to a large bowl and use a potato masher to mash potatoes into a smooth texture.
Step 4: Add all sweet potato casserole ingredients to the large mixing bowl.
Step 5: Stir to combine sweet potato casserole ingredients.
Step 6: Add sweet potato mixture to a greased 8x8 baking dish or casserole dish.
Step 7: Make the brown sugar topping for sweet potato casserole by combining all the topping ingredients in a medium bowl.
Step 8: Spread pecan topping evenly over the casserole and bake until golden brown.
Expert Tips
- Alcohol evaporates when cooked, so this recipe can be family-friendly. Although the alcohol evaporates, the flavor profile remains, so it's important to choose a quality bourbon. Here is a list of some of the best cooking bourbons.
- Pick medium to large sweet potatoes with a deep orange flesh for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your taste preferences. Taste the sweet potato mixture before adding the sugar to ensure it's not overly sweet.
- Toast the pecans before adding them to the topping for extra crunch and flavor. How to toast pecans: Add pecans to a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until you smell their aroma and they turn golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
This sweet side dish was created to be enjoyed for a big holiday meal like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Before the meal, serve a fall charcuterie board and goat cheese crostini with prosciutto for appetizers.
For Thanksgiving dinner, I love to serve this sweet potato casserole with bourbon alongside juicy air fryer turkey tenderloins. Other delicious sides to include are my jalapeno creamed corn recipe, stovetop sausage stuffing, autumn pasta salad, or roasted carrots and mushrooms.
Wash the meal down with a holiday cocktail, like an apple cider Thanksgiving margarita or delicious Thanksgiving sangria.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Making sweet potato casserole ahead of time can help minimize stress when preparing a big holiday meal. Assemble in the baking dish ahead of time, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Let the dish come to room temperature before baking or it may need a few extra minutes in the oven to heat through completely, if it's baked straight from the fridge.
To store sweet potato casserole in the refrigerator, let it cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Properly stored, it will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
Yes, freezing sweet potato casserole is simple. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Properly stored, it will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Frozen sweet potato casserole should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
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Ingredients
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
- 4-5 sweet potatoes medium to large
- 2 Tablespoons bourbon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 eggs whisked
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup butter melted
Pecan Topping
- ¾ cup pecans chopped
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-2 inch cubes. Carefully add the potatoes to the boiling water and cook for 10-15 minutes until they are fork tender. Drain.
- Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and mash them until smooth using a potato masher.
- To the large mixing bowl, add all other ingredients for the bourbon sweet potato casserole. Stir until well combined. Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a greased 8x8 casserole dish.
- Prepare the pecan topping by combining all the topping ingredients in a medium bowl. Evenly spread the pecan topping over the casserole.
- Bake at 350℉, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes until cooked through and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- This recipe can be considered family-friendly because alcohol evaporates when it's cooked.
- I used Buffalo Trace bourbon when testing this recipe.
- You can toast the pecans before incorporating them into the topping to enhance their crunch and flavor. To toast pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for approximately 5 minutes, or until they become fragrant and turn golden brown.
- If the pecan topping is not browning to your liking, you can broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes.
JJ
Such a delicious bourbon sweet potato casserole. I love this so much, I can't get enough, the pecans really make it special.