01/11/2026
PAULA DEEN'S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE 🍠🍂
Is it a side dish or is it dessert? We say it’s the best of both worlds! This copycat recipe features a velvety smooth sweet potato filling topped with a buttery, crunchy pecan crumble. It is the absolute perfect addition to any holiday table.
Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 30 mins | Serves: 8 Credit: Carrie Barnard
🛒 INGREDIENTS:
The Filling:
Potatoes: 3 cups sweet potatoes (cooked, peeled, and mashed)
Sweetness & Fat: 1 cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup butter (melted)
Binding: 2 large eggs
Liquid: ¼ cup heavy cream
Spices: 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
The Crunchy Topping:
Base: 1 cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
Crunch: 1 cup chopped pecans
Binder: 3 tbsp butter (melted)
🥣 DIRECTIONS:
Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F and spray a 1 ½ quart casserole dish with non-stick spray.
Mash & Cool: Cook, peel, and mash the sweet potatoes. Crucial Step: Let them cool to room temperature in a large bowl before adding other ingredients so you don't scramble the eggs!
Mix Filling: Add the sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the potatoes. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in the heavy cream until combined, then pour into the baking dish.
Make Topping: In a separate bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and pecans until crumbly.
Top & Bake: Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the center is set.
Rest: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to help it set up.
💡 CHEF'S TIPS:
Don't Rush the Cool: If you add raw eggs to hot mashed potatoes, they will cook instantly. Patience is key for that smooth texture!
Storage: Leftovers keep perfectly in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days.
Make Ahead: You can prep the potato mixture ahead of time, store it in the fridge, and add the topping right before baking.