Looking for a yummy side dish for your Thanksgiving Feast?  Try Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Casserole this year.  This easy recipe can be made in advance and baked the day it is served.  It pairs well with turkey or ham and is absolutely delicious.  The sweet potatoes are creamy and rich, while the crunchy topping balances out the mashed goodness underneath.  Everyone will enjoy it and leftovers reheat just fine – that is – if there are any!

Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Mixture

4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” pieces

4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter

¾ cup packed light brown sugar

½ cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping Mixture

2 cups mini marshmallows

½ cup flour

4 tablespoons butter unsalted butter

6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

¼ cup old fashioned rolled oats

½ cup chopped pecans (optional, but delicious)

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Place peeled and cut sweet potatoes in cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until they are fork tender.  Drain potatoes and place back into cooking pot.  Mash potatoes with a potato masher until mostly smooth.  (I prefer a little rustic lumpiness to my sweet potatoes!)  Add the remaining items from the ingredient list for the sweet potato mixture. Mix until combined.

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a casserole dish (8” x 8” or 11” x 7”) with cooking spray. Spoon the sweet potatoes into casserole dish and smooth out.  Sprinkle top of sweet potatoes with marshmallows.

Melt butter in a medium microwave safe bowl.  Add remaining ingredients from the ingredient list for the topping mixture.  Mix with a fork until mixture is crumbly.  Sprinkle evenly over the top of the casserole.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the topping is crisp and marshmallows are golden brown.  Serves 8.

*To make a lighter version of this recipe, you may substitute lower fat dairy products and also use Splenda brown sugar blend instead of the regular ingredients.  In addition, the nuts may be omitted if desired.