Chef John's Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole flavored with maple syrup has a crunchy topping of pistachios and brown sugar for a side dish that's perfect for holiday meals.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 368 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 pinch ground allspice
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• salt
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.33333334326744 cup milk
• 0.25 cup butter, melted
• 0.25 cup buttermilk
• 0.33333334326744 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup maple syrup
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar
• 2.5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 0.5 cup chopped roasted, salted pistachios

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 1/2-quart baking dish with butter.

Step 2

Place sweet potato cubes into a large pot, cover with water, and add a large pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until a knife is easily inserted into a sweet potato cube, about 10 minutes. Drain well. Return to the pot and mash 2 tablespoons butter into sweet potatoes.

Step 3

Whisk eggs, maple syrup, buttermilk, milk, vanilla extract, cayenne pepper, allspice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually mash sweet potatoes into egg mixture, starting with 2 tablespoons of sweet potato mixture, until all sweet potatoes are incorporated. Transfer sweet potatoes into prepared baking dish.

Step 4

Mix pistachios, brown sugar, flour, and 1/4 cup melted butter together until completely mixed. Crumble topping evenly over top of sweet potatoes. Use the back of a fork to gently press pistachio mixture down onto sweet potatoes.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until topping is browned and casserole is set, 25 to 30 minutes. If desired, place under oven's broiler for 5 minutes to give topping a little more brown color. Let rest to cool slightly before serving, about 10 minutes.