Description
This Hot Honey Sweet Potato Casserole is a delightful twist on the classic side dish, blending creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a spicy-sweet honey glaze, topped with a crunchy corn flake and pecan crumble. Perfect for holiday dinners or any comforting meal, this casserole offers a balance of sweetness and heat that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (divided)
Sweet Honey Butter Mixture
- ¾ cup hot honey (divided)
- ¾ cup butter (divided)
Topping
- 3 cups corn flakes
- ½ cup pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Set aside for later use.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes and simmer for 15 minutes or until they are fork tender. Drain the potatoes thoroughly using a colander.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes and Mix: In a large bowl or the same pot you boiled the potatoes in, combine the cooked sweet potatoes with ½ cup of hot honey, ½ cup of butter, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Use an electric hand mixer or potato masher to blend everything into a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Assemble Sweet Potato Base: Spread the mashed sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth layer as the base of your casserole.
- Make Topping Glaze: 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, creating a flavorful glaze for the topping.
- Prepare Crunchy Topping: Crush the corn flakes and pecans together until coarse crumbs form, either by pulsing briefly in a food processor or by placing them in a large zipper bag and using a rolling pin. Mix the crushed mixture into the honey-butter glaze until fully coated.
- Add Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle the crunchy topping evenly over the mashed sweet potatoes in the baking dish, covering the surface completely to create a crisp layer.
- Bake and Finish: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the topping is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and optionally drizzle additional hot honey over the top before serving for extra sweetness and heat.
Notes
- Adjust the level of spiciness by using more or less hot honey according to your preference.
- If you prefer a nut-free version, omit the pecans and increase the corn flakes or substitute with toasted oats for crunch.
- You can prepare the sweet potatoes a day in advance and refrigerate to save time on the day of serving.
- Be sure to fully drain the sweet potatoes to avoid a watery casserole.
