Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole (A Holiday Classic)

Few dishes capture the warmth, comfort, and nostalgia of the holidays quite like Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole. This iconic side dish walks the perfect line between savory and sweet, combining creamy mashed sweet potatoes with rich maple syrup, warm spices, and a buttery pecan topping that bakes into golden perfection. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy fall gathering, this casserole has earned its place as a beloved classic on Southern tables.

Unlike overly sugary versions, this recipe leans into natural sweetness — maple syrup instead of refined sugar, butter for richness, and toasted pecans for crunch. The result is a balanced, deeply flavorful casserole that complements savory holiday mains without overwhelming them.

Why This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Works

Southern cooking is all about balance, tradition, and comfort, and this casserole checks every box. Sweet potatoes are naturally earthy and mildly sweet, making them the perfect canvas for maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla. Baking them brings out their caramel notes, while the topping adds texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy base.

This recipe is:

• Rich but not cloying
• Sweet without tasting like dessert
• Easy to prepare ahead
• Loved by kids and adults alike

It’s the kind of dish that disappears quickly — and gets requested every single year.

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potato Base

• 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup whole milk or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Maple Pecan Topping

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain well.
3. Mash the sweet potatoes until smooth using a potato masher or hand mixer.
4. Add melted butter, maple syrup, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until fully combined and silky.
5. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
6. In a separate bowl, combine pecans, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. Stir in maple syrup.
7. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato layer.
8. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is set.
9. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving for best texture and flavor.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole (without baking) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Bake fresh before serving.
• Freezing: Freeze unbaked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
• Leftovers: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Delicious Variations

• Marshmallow Twist: Add mini marshmallows during the last 10 minutes of baking.
• Bourbon Maple: Stir 1 tablespoon bourbon into the filling for depth.
• Nut-Free: Skip pecans and use an oat crumble topping instead.
• Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut milk and vegan butter.

Serving Suggestions

Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole pairs beautifully with:

• Roast turkey or chicken
• Honey-glazed ham
• Green bean casserole
• Cranberry sauce
• Cornbread or dinner rolls

It’s equally at home on a formal holiday table or a relaxed family dinner.

Cultural Roots of Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes have long been a staple of Southern cuisine, prized for their affordability, nutrition, and versatility. Maple syrup adds a distinctly North American touch, elevating the dish while honoring tradition. This casserole represents Southern hospitality at its finest — generous, comforting, and meant to be shared.

Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole

A classic Southern holiday casserole made with creamy sweet potatoes, pure maple syrup, warm spices, and a buttery pecan topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 320

Ingredients

  

Sweet Potato Filling

• 4 lb sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
• 0.5 cup pure maple syrup
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
• 2 eggs large
• 0.5 cup milk or cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp nutmeg

Maple Pecan Topping

• 1 cup pecans chopped
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.33 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking dish
• Pot for boiling
• Hand mixer or potato masher

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
2. Boil sweet potatoes until fork-tender, then drain and mash.
3. Mix mashed sweet potatoes with butter, maple syrup, eggs, milk, vanilla, and spices.
4. Spread mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
5. Combine topping ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle over filling.
6. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until golden and set.

Notes

Let casserole rest before serving for best texture.