Description
This Hot Honey Sweet Potato Casserole is a delightful twist on a classic comfort dish, combining tender, mashed sweet potatoes with a spicy-sweet honey glaze and a crunchy pecan and cornflake topping. Perfect for holiday meals or any cozy dinner, this casserole balances creamy, sweet, and spicy flavors with a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- ½ cup hot honey
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- ¾ cup hot honey (divided as ½ cup + ¼ cup)
- ¾ cup butter (divided as ½ cup + ¼ cup)
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 cups corn flakes
- ½ cup pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 inch x 13 inch baking dish and set it aside to get ready for assembling the casserole.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain well in a colander.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl or the original pot, combine the cooked sweet potatoes with ½ cup hot honey, ½ cup butter, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Use an electric hand mixer or potato masher to mash everything until smooth and evenly combined.
- Assemble Base Layer: Spread the mashed sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth, even layer.
- Prepare Topping Mixture: Melt the remaining ¼ cup butter in a medium bowl. Stir in the remaining ¼ cup hot honey and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon until well combined.
- Make Crunchy Topping: Crush the corn flakes and pecans together using a food processor or place them in a large plastic zipper bag and crush with a rolling pin. Mix the crushed corn flakes and pecans into the melted butter and honey mixture until fully coated.
- Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the crunchy topping over the sweet potato layer in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the topping is golden and crisp.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and, if desired, drizzle extra hot honey over the casserole just before serving for an added spicy sweetness.
Notes
- Hot honey adds a spicy kick, but you can adjust the amount or substitute with regular honey if you prefer milder sweetness.
- Use fresh or toasted pecans based on preference for added flavor complexity.
- Ensure the sweet potatoes are well drained before mashing to prevent a watery casserole.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead by assembling it and refrigerating before baking. Bake just before serving.
- For extra crispiness, broil the topping for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch closely to avoid burning.
