Sweet Potato Holiday Casserole

Around the holidays there are a few special dishes that we don't have during other times of the year. One of those recipes is this homemade sweet potato casserole. We love the subtle mixture of the sweetness and spice. I know it's Thanksgiving or Christmas when this side dish is on the table.

Sweet potato casserole is a wonderful side dish, especially for people who don't enjoy dessert pies but do like a bit of sweetness. The trick is getting a nice balance between the flavors. Some sweet potato casseroles are way too sweet, but this one is just right for our tastebuds.

Holiday Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

For years I didn't make this recipe. My husband doesn't like sweet potatoes and I didn't want the temptation of eating the whole dish myself. I was happily surprised when my oldest daughter (now 10) loved sweet potatoes as a baby, so when she was 5 I gave her a taste of this recipe. She loved it! Now I have someone to share the dish with and It's been a delightful addition to our Thanksgiving table each year. 

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole Side Dish

3 sweet potatoes (labeled yams in many grocery stores)
1 1/2 T butter (softened to room temp)
1 1/2 t cinnamon
2 T brown sugar
non-stick cooking spray

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Bakeware Needed for Sweet Potato Holiday Casserole

Microwave Safe Dish
Mixer
Spatula
Baking Dish

Instructions Holiday Sweet Potato Casserole

I was confused as to the difference between a sweet potato and a yam. The ones you see at a grocery store labeled sweet potatoes are actually white in color and the ones labeled as yams are the orange that you generally expect. After doing a few searches, I found out that both are actually sweet potatoes. The whiter ones will stay a bit firm after cooking and the ones that have orange flesh will be softer. There are indeed actual yams, but they are sold in international markets and have bark like skin instead of the softer skin that is found on sweet potatoes (and what are labeled as yams). For this recipe, you will need to buy "yams" from your local grocery store.

Directions:

1. Wash the sweet potatoes, prick them with a fork a few times, then place them in a microwave safe dish. Add a small amount of water to the dish, then cover with plastic wrap.

2. Cook in 5 minute increments. Check after each 5 minutes. I cooked mine for 20 minutes, but depending on the size it may take a shorter amount of time.

3. When the sweet potatoes are done cooking, let them cool for a few minutes then remove the skins. They will naturally peel through the outer skin and the first layer of flesh. That first layer stays fibrous if you keep it in the casserole and it won't taste very good.

4. Cut the sweet potatoes into chunks, then add them to your mixing bowl.

5. Add the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to the yams. Mix until smooth, about 2 minutes.

6. Spray the dish you will be cooking your casserole in. We use an oval dish that holds 1 liter (4 1/4 c).

7. Cover with aluminum foil and cook for 15 minutes - until warm through. Remove the aluminum foil.

8. Add marshmallows to the top. You can use the mini marshmallows or large ones cut in half. Cook for 3 minutes. Turn the oven to broil on low and cook for 4 or 5 minutes - until the marshmallows are golden on top.

The house will smell wonderful because of the toasted marshmallows. My youngest came into the kitchen and almost tried some of this. She has never tried it because she doesn't like certain textures. My oldest and I were in the process of tasting to make sure it was good.

My oldest said, "This is the best sweet potato casserole you have ever made...and that is saying a lot because I have loved all the other times too." That does a moms heart good to hear.

Are you looking for other delicious side dishes for Thanksgiving? They these tasty holiday recipes from other bloggers.

Green Fluff
Best Thanksgiving Stuffing
Roasted Carrots with Thyme
Wild Rice Stuffing
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Baked Polenta Bites with Butternut Squash Brushetta
Sweet Hawaiian Bread Simple Stuffing
Butter Pecan Sweet Potato
Pomegranate Salad
Turkey Cheese Ball Appetizer

What is your favorite holiday recipe? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.