If you are looking for a dish that perfectly balances creamy sweetness and crunchy texture, the Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe is an absolute must-try. This classic American comfort food brings together tender mashed sweet potatoes infused with warm spices, topped generously with gooey marshmallows and a buttery, crumbly streusel topping that adds just the right amount of crunch. Whether it’s a festive holiday gathering or a cozy family dinner, this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe will quickly become a beloved favorite on your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple, easy-to-find ingredients each play a vital role in creating the rich flavors, smooth texture, and delightful contrast of this dish. From the naturally sweet potatoes to the aromatic spices and luscious buttery toppings, every component works together beautifully.
- Fresh sweet potatoes: The star ingredient that provides natural sweetness and creamy texture when mashed.
- Milk: Adds moisture to help achieve a silky potato filling.
- Light brown sugar: Brings a deep, molasses-like sweetness that complements the sweet potatoes perfectly.
- Unsalted butter: Melts into the potatoes for richness without overpowering the flavors.
- Eggs: Help bind the filling together, giving it structure and a bit of fluffiness.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses warmth and a classic holiday spice aroma.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle earthy notes that elevate the overall flavor depth.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and adds fragrance for a comforting finish.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.
- All-purpose flour: Essential for the streusel topping to create that crumbly, buttery texture.
- Ground cloves: A pinch adds a special, festive spice to the streusel that’s both bold and inviting.
- Salted butter (for streusel): Provides richness and helps bind the topping while adding a savory contrast.
- Marshmallows: The iconic fluffy topping that melts to sweet, golden perfection.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (176°C) so it’s ready when your casserole goes in. Meanwhile, peel and cube fresh sweet potatoes into evenly sized pieces. Boil them in a large pot of water until fork tender, which should take around eight minutes. This ensures they mash smoothly and hold the perfect texture for your casserole.
Step 2: Mash the Sweet Potatoes
Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and transfer them into a large bowl. Mash them until smooth or leave a little texture if you prefer—either way, the filling should be creamy and luscious, ready to soak up those delicious spices.
Step 3: Mix in the Flavorful Filling
To your mashed sweet potatoes, add milk for silkiness, light brown sugar for sweetness, melted butter for richness, eggs to bind, and the warm spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, plus a pinch of salt. Finally, stir in vanilla extract to amplify all those cozy flavors. Blend everything until well combined; the mixture should be thick, sweet, and fragrant.
Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish and Initial Bake
Pour your lively sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish, smoothing the top. If you’re not baking right away, no worries—you can refrigerate it for up to two days. When ready, bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the casserole is heated through, creating a warm and inviting base for the toppings.
Step 5: Prepare and Add Streusel Topping
While the casserole bakes, make your streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves in a bowl. Mix in melted salted butter until the mixture forms crumbly clusters. This buttery topping will provide the perfect crunchy contrast once baked.
Step 6: Final Assembly and Bake with Marshmallows
Pull your hot casserole from the oven and sprinkle a generous layer of marshmallows across the top. Add the crumbly streusel on top of the marshmallows, then finish with more marshmallows if you want extra sweetness. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the marshmallows are golden and melted. For a bubbly, caramelized finish, broil on high for a minute or two—just watch carefully to avoid burning. Serve this warm and bubbling comfort classic immediately!
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
Garnishes
While the marshmallows and streusel topping take center stage, you can elevate the presentation with a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts for an added nutty crunch that complements the sweetness. A light dusting of fresh cinnamon powder or a few fresh thyme leaves can also add a fresh aroma and beautiful color contrast.
Side Dishes
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe is rich, so pairing it with lighter, savory sides balances the meal perfectly. Consider serving alongside roasted green beans with garlic, crisp salads with tangy vinaigrette, or herb-roasted turkey or chicken for a complete feast. The casserole itself often works beautifully as a stand-alone side for holiday dinners.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the traditional casserole dish by portioning the casserole into individual ramekins for a charming presentation at dinner parties. You can also turn leftovers into sweet potato parfaits by layering the casserole with whipped cream or mascarpone and a sprinkle of extra streusel in clear glasses—such a delightful twist that makes everyone smile.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe keeps well for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If possible, store uncovered or loosely covered to maintain the crispness of the marshmallow and streusel topping. You can always reheat gently so they don’t turn soggy.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this casserole later, you can freeze it either before or after baking. Just prepare and assemble all parts, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and add fresh marshmallows just before the final bake for optimal texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a preheated 350°F (176°C) oven uncovered for about 20 minutes or until warmed through. To revive the marshmallow and streusel topping’s crispness, broil for a minute or two at the end—watching closely to avoid burning. This keeps your dish tasting freshly baked and scrumptious.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe?
While fresh sweet potatoes provide the best texture and flavor, canned sweet potatoes can be used in a pinch. Just be sure to drain them well and mash thoroughly to achieve the right consistency. The flavor might be slightly less vibrant, but it still makes a delicious casserole.
Is there a way to make this casserole vegan-friendly?
Absolutely! Use plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk), vegan butter substitutes, and replace eggs with flax eggs or a commercial egg replacer. You can also swap marshmallows for vegan versions available in some stores. The streusel topping works wonderfully with these simple substitutions.
How can I prevent marshmallows from burning during baking?
Keep a close eye during the final baking or broiling. Adding marshmallows halfway through the last bake and broiling only for short bursts helps them melt and brown nicely without burning. You can also tent the casserole with foil if the marshmallows start to brown too fast.
Can I prepare the casserole entirely in advance?
Yes! You can assemble the entire Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe a day or two ahead and refrigerate it. Just wait to add the marshmallows and streusel until you’re ready to bake so the topping stays crisp and fresh.
What variations can I try for the streusel topping?
For a nutty twist, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel mixture. You can also incorporate oats for extra texture or a dash of orange zest to brighten the flavors. Experimenting with spices like cardamom or ginger can bring a unique spin to this beloved topping.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe always feels like passing along a warm hug. Its perfect blend of creamy sweet potatoes, aromatic spices, gooey marshmallows, and crumbly streusel topping is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for the holidays, a special occasion, or simply craving comforting flavors, give this recipe a try—you won’t regret it!
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic, comforting dish perfect for holiday gatherings or any cozy meal. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are mixed with warm spices, brown sugar, and vanilla, then topped with a buttery streusel and gooey marshmallows, baked to golden perfection. It offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors paired with a crunchy, melty topping.
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 lbs fresh sweet potatoes (4–5 large), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
- 1 cup (225g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/3 cup (44g) all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (75g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 3 tbsp (42g) salted butter, melted
Additional Topping
- 2–3 cups marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook sweet potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes into a large pot, cover them with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until the sweet potatoes are fork tender, about 8 minutes. Drain the water and transfer the potatoes to a mixing bowl.
- Mash potatoes: Mash the cooked sweet potatoes until smooth or to your desired consistency, ensuring no large chunks remain.
- Mix filling: Into the mashed sweet potatoes, add the milk, light brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, eggs, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. At this point, you may refrigerate the mixture for up to 2 days or continue to bake immediately.
- Bake initially: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is heated through.
- Prepare streusel topping: While the casserole is baking, combine the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves in a bowl. Stir in the melted salted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Finish baking: Remove the partially baked casserole from the oven. Evenly sprinkle marshmallows over the top, then add the streusel crumb mixture, followed by another layer of marshmallows if desired. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the topping is bubbly and golden. For extra browning on the marshmallows, broil at 400°F until they are golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- The casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking, making it a convenient dish for holiday prepping.
- Adjust the amount of marshmallows according to your preference for sweetness.
- For a healthier version, you can reduce the sugar and butter or substitute with alternatives, though it may affect texture and flavor.
- Be careful when broiling the marshmallows as they can burn quickly — watch closely.
- Optional: add chopped pecans to the streusel for added crunch and flavor.
