Soul Sweet ‘Taters Recipe

This Soul Sweet ‘Taters recipe is a creamy and sweet recipe, which is made with baked sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan crumble. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, a classic Southern side dish perfect for any holiday feast, ready in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Jump to Recipe

Soul Sweet ‘Taters Ingredients

A classic combination for the ultimate indulgent holiday side dish.

For the Filling:

4 whole medium sweet potatoes
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup milk
2 whole eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt

For the Crumble Topping:

1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) cold butter, cubed

How To Make Soul Sweet ‘Taters

A step-by-step guide to this beloved, decadent holiday classic.

Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Wash the sweet potatoes and bake them for 30-35 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
Make the Sweet Potato Filling: When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them open and scrape the flesh into a large bowl. Add the granulated sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Use a potato masher to mash everything together until it’s combined but still has some texture—you don’t want it to be perfectly smooth.
Prepare the Pecan Crumble: In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, chopped pecans, and flour. Add the butter and use a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the mixture until it is thoroughly combined and forms a crumbly streusel.
Assemble and Bake the Casserole: Change the oven temperature to 400°F. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into a regular baking dish. Sprinkle the pecan crumble mixture all over the top. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and the topping is golden brown.

Recipe Tips

For the most delicious, crowd-pleasing sweet potato casserole.

How to get the most flavorful sweet potatoes? Baking the sweet potatoes whole, rather than boiling them, is a key step. It concentrates their natural sweetness and gives them a deeper, more caramelized flavor, which makes for a much more delicious casserole base.
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead holiday side dish. You can prepare the sweet potato filling and the crumble topping in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, simply assemble the casserole as directed and bake.
What is the best texture for the sweet potato base? As the recipe suggests, don’t mash the sweet potato filling until it’s perfectly smooth. Leaving it a little bit chunky gives the finished casserole a wonderful, rustic texture that contrasts nicely with the crunchy topping.
Can I use a different nut? Of course. Chopped walnuts are a fantastic substitute for the pecans in the crumble topping, providing a slightly different but equally delicious crunch.

What To Serve With Soul Sweet ‘Taters

The classic main courses that complete a holiday feast.

This sweet and savory casserole is a non-negotiable side dish on any Southern holiday table. It pairs perfectly with:

Roast Turkey and gravy for Thanksgiving
A glazed holiday ham for Christmas or Easter
Hearty fried chicken for a classic Sunday dinner

How To Store Soul Sweet ‘Taters

Keeping your delicious holiday side dish fresh.

Refrigerate: Cover the cooled casserole dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: For the best results, reheat the casserole, covered with foil, in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes, until it is heated through.

Soul Sweet ‘Taters Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per serving.

Calories: 550 kcal
Carbohydrates: 80 g
Protein: 7 g
Fat: 24 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Is this sweet potato casserole a side dish or a dessert?

In the South, it’s proudly both! It’s a very sweet dish that is traditionally served right alongside the turkey and savory sides during a holiday meal, but it’s certainly sweet enough to be enjoyed as a dessert.

Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes?

You don’t peel them before baking, but you do need to scoop the flesh out of the skins after they are baked. The skin is not used in the casserole filling.

My crumble topping is not crumbly. What did I do wrong?

This can happen if your butter was too soft or melted. Using cold butter cut into the dry ingredients is key to creating a crumbly, streusel-like texture that will bake up crispy.

Try More Recipes: