Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a popular Thanksgiving dish that is perfectly balanced with the sweet and savory tastes. The creamy sweet potato, warming spices and delicious marshmallow topping the dish is an essential dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners all over the world. If you’re a lover of traditional recipes or want to make the twist of your own it’s sure to please the family and your friends.
In this complete guide, we’ll lead through how to create a delicious sweet potato dish with marshmallows. From choosing which are the desirable sweet potatoes, to making the perfect creamy texture, as well as selecting the appropriate ingredients, this recipe can make a delicious and nostalgic recipe that is perfect for every holiday dinner. No matter if you’re a veteran chef or first-time making casseroles, this recipe includes everything you should learn.
1. The History of Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes are long an integral component of American food, particularly in the south of the United States, where they thrive in the mild temperatures. Although sweet potatoes were consumed in different varieties for many years, the concept to combine them with marshmallows has a more contemporary variation. Sweet potato casserole that is topped with marshmallows was believed to be first introduced at the beginning of the 20th century. The Angelus Marshmallow company promoted the idea through a recipe guide in order to promote marshmallows as a staple ingredient in food preparation.
Since the time, a sweet potato casserole made with marshmallows has been an annual holiday treat, especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. The sweet potato casserole combines the natural sweetness and sourness of sweet potatoes along with the airy, light texture of marshmallows, creating the perfect dish that is both cozy and delicious.
2. Choosing the Right Ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole
In order to create the most delicious sweet potato casserole, you need to use high-end ingredients. Every component, from sweet potatoes to the spice are essential to the flavour and texture.
Sweet Potatoes
The main ingredient is of course those sweet potatoes. You should look for crisp, soft sweet potatoes without bumps or soft spots. There are a variety that sweet potatoes come in, but the typical kind used in this dish is the variety with an orange skin which is usually referred to in the form of “yams” in grocery stores. The sweet potatoes possess a natural sweetness and a smooth soft texture once cooked.
- Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes: top for this recipe because of their sweetness naturally and the creamy texture.
Marshmallows
The most well-known top for sweet potato casserole is the marshmallow layer that are caramelized and melted into the dish when it is baked. Mini marshmallows are a popular selection, because they’re cover the entire casserole to create an ooey sweet and gooey topping. It is also possible to use larger marshmallows, however they might require longer to brown and melt.
- Mini Marshmallows: Melt evenly and form the caramelized topping. Make 2 cups for an average 9×13 inch casserole.
- Large Marshmallows: Can be utilized for an edgier appearance, however it may need more time to bake in order for them to spread evenly.
Spices and Sweeteners
The sweetness inherent in sweet potatoes is enhanced with using warm spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg along with sweeteners, such as maple syrup and brown sugar. This creates a cozy warming, warming flavor which is a perfect match for the sweetness of marshmallows.
- Cinnamon adds warmth, and improves the taste of sweet potatoes.
- Nutmeg It is a mild earthy spice that works nicely with sweet potatoes.
- Brown Sugar: It adds moisture and sweetness in the filling of the casserole.
- Maple Syrup (optional): Adds the depth of flavor and caramel sweetness to the dish.
Dairy and Eggs
For a silky soft texture, smooth potato casserole usually includes butter, dairy or cream. Eggs are added in addition to hold the dish to give it a shape, allowing it to be cut perfectly.
- Salt-free Butter adds richness and creates a smooth texture.
- milk or cream adds water and richness. It is possible to make use of whole milk, half-and-half or heavy cream depending on how thick the casserole you’d like it to taste.
- Eggs help to tie the dish and give it with some structure.
3. Components for the Sweet Potato Casserole made with Marshmallows
This is the list of components you’ll need for the classic sweet potato casserole that includes marshmallows:
- 4 huge sweet potato (about 4 cups, mashed)
- 1/2 cup butter that is unsalted, melting
- Half cup brown sugar and packed
- 1 cup of maple syrup (optional)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of whole heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground Nutmeg
- Salt Pinch
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
4. Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Sweet Potato Casserole Using Marshmallows
After you’ve got all the ingredients, you’re ready to get started on the recipe. Follow these step-bystep steps for sweet potato casserole that is deliciously creamy on the inside, and deliciously it’s caramelized on the exterior.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
The oven should be preheated to 350degF (175degC). Grease a baking dish measuring 9×13 inches by spraying it with butter or nonstick.
Step 2: make up the Sweet Potatoes
Peel sweet potatoes and chop them into chunks. Put them into the pot of a large size and add water to them. The water should be brought to a boil. Then lower the temperature and let it simmer for around 15 to 20 minutes or until the sweet potatoes become soft suitable for a fork.
Step 3: Mash the Sweet Potatoes
The sweet potatoes should be rinsed and then transfer them into an enormous mixing bowl. Utilize a potato masher, or electric mixer to smash sweet potatoes until they are the texture is smooth. If you prefer a more coarse texture, save a few pieces of sweet potato untouched.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add the sweet potatoes to the mixture Add the butter that has been melted and brown sugar as well as maple syrup (if together), eggs and milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon the spice nutmeg, as well as a pinch of salt. Blend everything up until the ingredients are mixed and creamy.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
Put the sweet potato mix into the baking dish and spread it out evenly using an spatula. Smooth out the edges of the casserole to warrant an even bake.
Step 6: Add the Marshmallows
Sprinkle mini marshmallows evenly on over the top of sweet potato mix. Be sure that the marshmallows are covered everything, since they’ll melt and become caramelized during the baking.
Step 7: Bake the Casserole
Cook the casserole of sweet potatoes in a hot oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, and until marshmallows turn golden brown, and the sweet potato filling has cooked through. If your marshmallows begin becoming too brown then cover the casserole with aluminum foil in order to stop the oven from becoming too hot.
Step 8: Let the Casserole Cool Slightly
After the casserole has finished baking, take it out of the oven, and allow it to cool for approximately 10 minutes prior to serving. This will allow the casserole to be a little more set, which makes it much easier to cut and serve.
5. Different variations on Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Although the traditional sweet potato casserole made with marshmallows always is a big success, there are a variety ways to modify the recipe to meet your personal preferences and tastes. Below are a few of the most well-known recipes:
Sweet Potato Casserole that includes Pecan As a topping
If you’re looking for the crunch of a nutty and crunchy topping, swap the marshmallows with pecan streusel. To make the streusel make a mixture of 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 cup of pecans chopped along with 1/4 cup of the flour and 1/4 cup of melting butter. Sprinkle the mixture on the sweet potatoes prior to baking.
Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
If you want to make a vegan version of this recipe you can substitute butter for an organic margarine or coconut oil. Then substitute the eggs for flax eggs (1 teaspoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg). Make use of non-dairy milks that is Oat milk or almond milk instead of cream. Also, go for vegetarian marshmallows.
Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is gluten-free if you make use of gluten-free marshmallows. Also, make sure that the other ingredients, including butter and vanilla extract are also gluten-free. It is also possible to make a gluten-free topping of pecans for additional the texture.
The Sweet Potato Casserole is flavored with Bourbon and sweet potatoes.
If you want a richer taste, add the bourbon flavor to the sweet potato mixture. The whiskey adds warmth and richness to the dish, enhancing the sweetness of potato and marshmallows. Include about 1 or 2 tablespoons of bourbon into the sweet potato recipe prior to baking.
6. Tips for the Perfect Sweet Potato Casserole
While sweet potato casserole may seem like straightforward, couple of tips will help assure that you will get the desirable payoff:
Tip 1: Use Fresh Sweet Potatoes
To get the perfect texture and flavor make sure to use fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned. Fresh sweet potatoes provide more flavor as well as a more textured texture for smashing. If you’re running short of time it’s possible to bake sweet potatoes at the stove in lieu of boiling them.
Tip 2: Mash the Potatoes to Your Liking
The texture and consistency of sweet potato mixture will depend on your individual preferences. If you prefer a creamy dish, you can mash the potatoes well or use a electric mixer to beat the potatoes. If you prefer a more rustic appearance you can leave chunks of sweet potato untouched.
Tips 3: Infuse spice to your dish with spices.
Cinnamon and nutmeg are the traditional ingredients in sweet potato casseroles, however, you may try other warm spices such as allspice and ginger to increase the taste. Make sure not to overload it. Begin with small quantities and then adjust compatible to your what you like.
Tip 4: Watch the Marshmallows Closely
Marshmallows will brown rapidly So be sure to watch their appearance during the final minutes baking. If they start to brown remove the casserole from the oven and cover it by foil to stop any further burning.
7. Desserts and Side Dishes that go alongside Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is an incredibly delicious side dish that goes perfectly with many main courses particularly at the time of the holiday. There are several common dishes that you can serve with your sweet potato casserole:
Roast Turkey
The sweet potato dish is an iconic dish to serve with roast turkey. This makes it an essential dish for Christmas or Thanksgiving dinners. The sweet taste of the dish stands out beautifully against the delicious flavors of the turkey.
Glazed Ham
The sourness of marshmallows and sweet potatoes is a perfect match for the salty, rich flavor of ham that has been glazed. This combo is ideal for celebrations of the holidays, especially when you’re serving ham for your main dish.
Roast Beef
If you want to eat a heartier meal during the holiday season you can pair sweet potato casserole with prime rib or roast beef. The smooth texture and sweet flavor of the dish deliver an excellent juxtaposition to the rich strong flavors of the meat.
Green Bean Casserole
Another popular holiday food item, green bean casserole goes perfectly with sweet potato casserole. The creamy, savory green beans complement the sweet of the potatoes to create the perfect dinner.
8. How to Store and Reheat Sweet Potato Casserole
The sweet potato casserole can be prepared ahead and heated prior to serving, which makes it an ideal opportunity for the hectic schedule of holiday meal preparation. This is how you can keep and heat your sweet potato casserole:
Storing Sweet Potato Casserole
To keep leftover sweet potato dish, cover the dish with aluminium foil, plastic wrap. Then store in the fridge for at least four days. If you’re preparing the casserole ahead, you can prepare the sweet potato mixture and then spread it out in the dish for baking. Refrigerate and cover, then sprinkle on the marshmallows, and bake right prior to serving.
Freezing Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is also able to be preserved for as long as 3 months. For freezing, make the dish without marshmallows. After the sweet potato mixture has completely cooled, wrap the dish in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. If you’re ready to bake it then, let the casserole thaw in the fridge overnight. sprinkle on the marshmallows and bake adequate to the recipe.
Reheating Sweet Potato Casserole
To heat the sweet potato casserole cover it with foil. Bake in 350 degF (175degC) oven for around 20-30 mins, or until the dish is cooked. Take the foil off within the last five minutes, allowing the marshmallows to burn.
9. Creative Ways to Use Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole
If you’ve got left-over sweet potato casserole, do not let it go to be wasted! Here are some innovative ways you can reuse the food leftovers
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Repurpose your leftover sweet potato stew into fluffy pancakes. Mix it up with eggs, flour as well as a little baking powder. The pancakes can be cooked on the griddle until they are golden brown and then serve with butter or syrup.
Sweet Potato Waffles
As with pancakes, it is possible to create waffles using left-over sweet potato stew. Combine the sweet potato casserole into waffle batter before cooking using a waffle iron for an enticing sweet and delicious breakfast snack.
Sweet Potato Muffins
As a convenient snack or breakfast, make use of your left-over sweet potato soup to make the basis for muffins. Make a mixture of the casserole using flour, eggs and baking powder. Then, bake the muffins in a muffin pan until the muffins are golden brown.
Conclusion
Sweet potato and marshmallow casserole is a warm and nostalgic meal that’s great for celebrations during the holidays. It doesn’t matter if you’re serving this dish for the holidays of Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other special celebration, this dish will surely please the guests thanks to its sweet potato-y filling and marshmallow-y gooey topping.
Following the guidelines and suggestions in this recipe and you’ll be able cook a tasty and unforgettable sweet potato casserole that is perfect for any meal during the holidays. It doesn’t matter if you favor the classic recipe or want to experiment with different flavors and toppings Sweet potato casserole is a delicious and versatile meal that everyone is sure to love.
Enjoy your cooking and the sweet potato casserole!