Maple Bourbon Brown Butter Casserole (Printable Version)

Silky sweet potatoes blend with brown butter, maple, bourbon, and nutty pecan topping for a holiday-worthy side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sweet Potato Base

01 - 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
04 - 1/4 cup bourbon
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk or plant-based milk
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Pecan Crunch Topping

11 - 3/4 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
12 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
13 - 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
14 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
15 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
17 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - Place sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until sweet potatoes are fork-tender, about 15 to 18 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
03 - While sweet potatoes cook, melt 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and watch carefully as the butter foams and becomes deep golden with a nutty aroma, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat immediately.
04 - Using a potato masher or mixer, mash drained sweet potatoes in a large bowl until smooth. Add browned butter, maple syrup, bourbon, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until creamy and well blended.
05 - Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface.
06 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbly.
07 - Scatter the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer.
08 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Full of sweet and savory flavors layered with warm spices
  • Perfect make-ahead side dish for holiday gatherings or potlucks
  • Gluten-free adaptable and vegetarian-friendly
  • Crunchy pecan topping pairs perfectly with creamy sweet potatoes
02 -
  • Velvety sweet potatoes supply tons of vitamin A and potassium
  • Brown butter builds unmatched flavor layers with nuttiness
  • Easy to freeze and reheat for meal prep or leftovers
03 -
  • Whisk eggs with a fork before adding to the potatoes for even mixing
  • Never rush the browning of butter The aroma matters more than the color alone
  • Letting the casserole cool for ten minutes makes slicing easier and topping extra crisp
  • I learned through trial to always use a metal baking pan for even browning of the topping Glass gives softer results
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