Easy & Delicious Sweet Potato Casserole: A Homemade Thanksgiving Classic with Crunchy Walnut Topping

This is the ultimate sweet potato casserole recipe – made entirely from scratch and guaranteed to be a crowd-plepleaser! Forget canned sweet potatoes; we’re using fresh, wholesome ingredients to create a rich, velvety base topped with an irresistible, crunchy brown sugar and walnut crust. It’s the perfect side dish that might just steal the show at your next holiday feast!

This delightful post is proudly sponsored by California Walnuts! We’re incorporating their incredibly delicious and nutritious walnuts into the star of our Thanksgiving table: the crunchy brown sugar topping for this sensational sweet potato casserole. Their quality truly elevates this holiday favorite.

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The holiday season, particularly Thanksgiving, holds a special place in my heart, primarily because it’s a glorious celebration centered around food. It’s that wonderful time of year when the lines between dinner and dessert beautifully blur, making every dish an indulgent treat. I often hear people debate whether sweet potato casserole belongs on the dinner table or as a dessert. In our home, it’s firmly a part of the main Thanksgiving spread, usually alongside other savory delights, reserving the dessert course for our beloved pumpkin pie. However, I must confess, this sweet potato casserole is so utterly delicious, I could happily enjoy it all year round, for any meal of the day!

This isn’t just a casserole; it’s a rich, velvety, and utterly luxurious sweet potato soufflé in disguise – though we affectionately call it a casserole to make it sound less intimidating. But we’re taking it a step further, veering away from the traditional, sometimes predictable, pecan topping. Prepare to be amazed as we swap out the pecans for the vibrant, earthy crunch of walnuts! I know, it might sound unconventional at first, but trust me, the combination of warm brown sugar and wholesome walnuts on this sweet potato casserole is absolutely divine. It adds a unique depth of flavor and an unparalleled texture that truly elevates the dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. The walnuts’ slight bitterness beautifully cuts through the sweetness of the potatoes, creating a perfectly balanced bite.

No disrespect to the magnificent turkey, but for many of us, Thanksgiving is truly all about the side dishes. When your holiday menu boasts this incredible sweet potato casserole, a creamy green bean casserole made from scratch and crowned with crispy fried onions, sweet and savory brown butter honey-glazed carrots, the softest and fluffiest 1-hour dinner rolls you’ve ever tasted, and a vibrant homemade cranberry sauce, the turkey almost becomes an afterthought. Think about it: when was the last time you heard someone declare the turkey as the most memorable dish they had on Thanksgiving? Probably never, right? It’s the comforting, flavorful sides that truly leave a lasting impression.

And believe me, this sweet potato casserole is unforgettable. While some prefer a marshmallow topping, our family tradition leans towards the extraordinary crunchy brown sugar topping, generously loaded with toasted walnuts. The texture and nutty flavor of the walnuts combined with the sweet, buttery crumble simply have my heart. While marshmallows might find their place on a separate dessert menu, the thought of them alongside savory turkey just doesn’t quite resonate with my palate. This casserole, with its perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy, is designed to complement the main course without feeling overly saccharine.

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST HOMEMADE SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE FROM SCRATCH:

The foundation of this exceptional sweet potato casserole begins with fresh, perfectly cooked sweet potatoes. You won’t find any canned varieties in this recipe, and unlike many traditional methods, we absolutely avoid boiling them. Boiling sweet potatoes tends to strip away a significant amount of their natural nutrients and, more importantly, diminishes that wonderful, inherent sweet potato flavor we all cherish. I’m a firm believer in recipes that are fresh, simple, delicious, and above all, easy to execute. Preparing a Thanksgiving dinner can be stressful enough; your side dishes shouldn’t add to the burden!

To make this sweet potato casserole recipe remarkably quick and effortless, I prefer to ‘bake’ the potatoes in the microwave. This method is incredibly efficient; about 7-8 minutes for two medium-sized potatoes is usually sufficient. For this recipe, I used a total of four sweet potatoes, so I microwaved them in two batches. While you could attempt to cook all of them simultaneously, I’ve found that overcrowding the microwave can sometimes lead to uneven cooking, so working in smaller batches ensures uniform tenderness.

While your sweet potatoes are softening in the microwave, you can swiftly prepare the star of this dish: the crunchy brown sugar and walnut topping. Begin by melting your butter in a small bowl. In a separate, larger bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rich light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and a generous 3/4 cup of finely chopped California Walnuts. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly. For an extra layer of warmth and flavor, a small pinch of cinnamon is a totally optional but highly recommended addition to this topping. Once everything is mixed, slowly pour in the melted butter while stirring with a fork until delightful, crumbly clusters begin to form. The walnuts are key here, adding a fantastic texture and nutty depth to the topping, which perfectly complements the sweet potato base. And honestly, who can resist the allure of walnuts coated in melted butter and sugar? This mixture is pure bliss!

Once your sweet potatoes are cooked and cool enough to handle comfortably, carefully slice them down the center and scoop out all the tender, vibrant orange flesh into a large mixing bowl. The texture of your casserole is entirely up to your preference! If you love a bit of rustic charm and hearty chunks in your casserole, use a traditional potato masher to break down the potatoes. However, if you prefer a silkier, more refined texture – as we often do – you can achieve this by whipping the sweet potatoes vigorously with a stand mixer or a hand mixer with beaters until perfectly smooth. After achieving your desired consistency, gently fold in the melted butter, both brown and granulated sugar, a tiny pinch of salt (which wonderfully enhances the sweetness), a splash of vanilla extract for warmth, a touch of heavy cream, and two lightly beaten eggs. These ingredients bind everything together, creating that rich, custard-like consistency that makes this casserole so beloved.

While you could certainly opt for regular milk in this recipe, considering this sweet potato casserole is destined for the special occasion of Thanksgiving, I highly recommend using heavy cream. The heavy cream isn’t just a substitute; it’s an upgrade that imparts an unparalleled richness and an incredibly creamy, luxurious texture to the entire dish. Trust me, this small indulgence makes a significant difference, transforming an already delicious dish into an unforgettable one that your family will rave about. And don’t fret about the extra richness – we’re only using a modest 1/4 cup of heavy cream in total. Even if you enjoy a generous quarter of the casserole, you’re only consuming about a tablespoon of heavy cream. Given that you’ll likely only savor this magnificent casserole once or, if you’re lucky, twice a year, I firmly believe in making those occasions count with the best possible ingredients. A quick jog around the block before dessert is always an option to balance those delightful calories, but mostly, just enjoy every single bite!

Just my two cents on making holiday meals truly special.

To ensure an effortless serving experience, generously spray your casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Then, evenly spread the prepared, whipped sweet potato mixture into the dish. Liberally sprinkle the homemade brown sugar and walnut topping over the entire surface. This golden, crumbly layer will transform into a delightful crunchy crust during baking. Place the dish in your preheated oven and let it bake to perfection. You’ll know the casserole is done when the edges begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the dish, and the topping is beautifully golden and caramelized. This typically takes around 30-40 minutes in a 350°F (175°C) oven.

Once the sweet potato casserole emerges hot and fragrant from the oven, I love to add a final, magical touch: a small pinch of flaky sea salt. Those delicate flecks of salt don’t just add a subtle pop; they completely transform the flavor profile. The salt brilliantly cuts through the sweetness, balancing every note and making this sweet potato casserole utterly irresistible and incredibly complex. It’s this perfect interplay of sweet and salty, crunchy and creamy, that makes every spoonful a pure delight.

And just like that, a touch of culinary magic graces your Thanksgiving table. This casserole offers the ideal harmony of textures and flavors – crunchy topping, creamy interior, sweet potatoes, and a hint of salty finish. It’s a dish that truly embodies the spirit of comfort and celebration.

Don’t wait! Grab the recipe below and add this incredible sweet potato casserole to your holiday menu. Everyone at your table will absolutely adore it, and you’ll love how easy it is to prepare from scratch. It’s a side dish that’s sure to become a cherished family tradition!

Yield: 8-10 servings

Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Brown Sugar Topping

Prep Time
25 minutes

Cook Time
40 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 5 minutes

A quick and easy sweet potato casserole made entirely from scratch! No canned sweet potatoes in this recipe and it tastes so perfect with that crunchy brown sugar topping!

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Casserole:

• 2 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes (about 3-4 medium-sized potatoes)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/4 cup EACH brown sugar AND granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• salt to taste (I used flaked sea salt)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Brown sugar topping:

• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 3/4 cup California Walnuts, pulsed in a food processor (or finely chopped)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup EACH brown sugar AND granulated sugar
• Flaked sea salt (for sprinkling after baking, optional)

Instructions

1. Position an oven rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350ºF (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Thoroughly pierce each sweet potato at least 8-10 times with a fork. Rinse each sweet potato and wrap it in a paper towel. Microwave two potatoes for 7 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Repeat this process with the remaining two potatoes. Alternatively, for those who prefer oven baking, you can bake the potatoes in a 400ºF (200°C) oven for 45 minutes to an hour, or until fork-tender. While the oven method works beautifully, I find the microwave method to be incredibly efficient for a quicker preparation without compromising on flavor or texture.
3. Prepare the delicious brown sugar and walnut topping. In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped or pulsed California Walnuts, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk these dry ingredients together using a fork until well combined. Next, slowly pour in the melted butter while continually stirring with the fork. You’ll notice the mixture beginning to form crumbly clusters. Use your fork to break up any larger bits to ensure an even, crumbly texture. Place this bowl in the refrigerator to chill slightly while you prepare the sweet potato casserole base; this helps the topping maintain its crunch during baking.
4. Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, carefully slice them down the center and scoop out all the tender flesh into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a large bowl with a hand mixer). Beat the potatoes until they are smooth and creamy, or if you prefer a more rustic texture, beat them just enough to leave a few small chunks. Add the lightly beaten eggs, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, rich heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a small pinch of salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Gently fold all these ingredients together until they are just combined and the mixture is cohesive. Pour the luscious sweet potato batter into your previously prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
5. Evenly sprinkle the chilled walnut brown sugar topping over the entire surface of the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the edges of the casserole begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the dish and the topping is golden brown and delightfully crunchy. Once baked to perfection, remove the dish from the oven. For an extra touch of flavor and elegance, immediately sprinkle a generous pinch of flaky sea salt over the hot casserole, if desired. Allow the sweet potato casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period helps the casserole set, making it easier to serve and enhancing the overall texture.

Notes

• MAKE AHEAD TIPS: This sweet potato casserole is perfect for preparing in advance to ease your holiday cooking. You can prepare the sweet potato base (bake and mash the potatoes, then mix with butter, sugars, vanilla, cream, and eggs) and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Similarly, the brown sugar walnut topping can be made ahead and kept refrigerated in a separate container. On the day of serving, simply spread the sweet potato mixture into your baking dish, top with the prepared walnut mixture, and bake as directed. This allows you to enjoy a fresh-tasting casserole with minimal fuss on the big day!
• FOR AN EVEN MORE TOASTY FLAVOR: For an extra depth of nutty flavor in your topping, you can lightly toast the chopped California Walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before incorporating them into the brown sugar topping. Be careful not to burn them!

 A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful friends over at California Walnuts for sponsoring this post! We genuinely love collaborating with companies that share our passion for wholesome, high-quality ingredients that truly make a difference in our recipes.

Have you made this recipe?

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