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A freshly baked sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows.

Orange-Kissed Pecan Crunch Sweet Potato Casserole

This Orange-Kissed Pecan Crunch Sweet Potato Casserole is a perfect balance of creamy sweetness and a delightful crunchy topping, ideal for holiday gatherings or a comforting family meal.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • baking sheet
  • large pot
  • large mixing bowl
  • potato masher
  • electric mixer
  • medium bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients
  

Sweet Potato Mixture

  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick), plus extra for greasing the dish
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 large orange)

For the Topping

  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (1/2 stick)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), and either roast sweet potato chunks on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes until tender, or boil in a pot for 15-20 minutes, then drain.

Mixing

  • Transfer cooked sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl; add melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, beaten eggs, vanilla, and salt, then mash or mix until smooth.
  • Gently fold in the orange zest until just combined.

Topping

  • In a separate bowl, combine chopped pecans, flour, and brown sugar, then add melted butter and mix until crumbly.

Assembly & Baking

  • Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread the sweet potato mixture evenly, and sprinkle with the pecan topping.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

For an extra touch of flavor, you can lightly toast the pecans before adding them to the topping. This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated; just add an additional 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.