Baked Cinnamon-Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
A warm, spiced sweet potato dessert topped with a crunchy cinnamon-pecan streusel, baked to golden perfection. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 100 minutes layers large (about 2 lbs) sweet potatoes, unsalted butter, packed brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 large (about 2 lbs) sweet potatoes
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup whole milk milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Pierce 3 large sweet potatoes with a fork and bake directly on rack for 45-50 minutes until very tender. Let cool slightly, then peel and mash flesh in a large bowl.
- Step 2: To the mashed sweet potatoes, add 6 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1/4 cup whole milk, and 2 large eggs. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Transfer the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top evenly.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter and stir until crumbly.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the pecan streusel evenly over the sweet potato layer. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the filling is set. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cinnamon-Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (20 min prep + 80 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Cinnamon-Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cinnamon-Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Cinnamon-Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Cinnamon-Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
