The Golden Spud Bake Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Marshmallow Crown

Marshmallow Sweet Potato Bake

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:40 Mins

Servings:8 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs Sweet Potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup Whole Milk or Heavy Cream
• 2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Allspice
• Pinch of fine Sea Salt
• Zest of 1/2 Orange
• 1 (10 oz) bag Mini Marshmallows

Instructions:

• Boil or steam the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes until fork-tender (about 15–20 minutes). Drain thoroughly.
• Transfer drained potatoes to a large bowl. Mash until completely smooth. Add melted butter, brown sugar, milk/cream, beaten eggs, vanilla, spices, salt, and orange zest.
• Mix until just combined and uniformly smooth. Be careful not to over-mix once eggs are added.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease the 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared dish.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the filling is set around the edges and lightly golden on top.
• Remove the casserole from the oven. Immediately scatter the mini marshmallows evenly over the entire surface.
• Return the dish to the oven, placing it on the top rack. Broil on HIGH for 1–3 minutes, watching constantly, until the marshmallows are puffed and toasted golden brown.
• Remove from oven. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving warm.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:862 kcal

Protein:5.7 g

Fat:22.6 g

Carbs:66.6 g

Fiber:13.1 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:94 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Unveiling the Ultimate Comfort Food: Why This Sweet Potato Casserole Shines

There are dishes that simply occupy space on a holiday table, and then there are the legends—the dishes everyone secretly hopes will survive until the leftovers the next day. Our Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows falls squarely into the latter category. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes: the earthy sweetness of the baked tuber meeting that impossibly light, sugary cloud on top. This isn't merely a side dish; it's an edible hug, deeply ingrained in the tradition of Southern hospitality, yet universally beloved. When executed correctly, this casserole elevates humble ingredients into something truly unforgettable.

Mastering the Balance: Earthy Root Veg Meets Sugared Cloud

The magic of this preparation lies in achieving harmony between two very different elements: the deeply seasoned, rich base and the rapidly caramelized, fluffy topping. Many recipes rush the base, resulting in a texture that’s either too watery or stubbornly chunky. We are aiming for velvet. Achieving this seamless blend is what transforms a standard offering into the benchmark Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows Recipe that friends will request year after year.

The Indispensable Holiday Hero (That Works Anytime)

While this dish is synonymous with Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, I firmly believe that a perfect Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows deserves a place on your table any time you need a burst of sunshine. It pairs just as beautifully with a summer grilled chicken as it does with a winter ham. Its versatility is part of its charm, proving that comfort food knows no season. For those who prefer their tubers less sweet, think of this as a sophisticated take on Southern Candied Yams With Marshmallows , retaining the richness but delivering superior texture.

Our Secret Weapon for Achieving Perfect Creaminess

The secret to a truly luxurious, smooth filling begins before the oven even turns on. While some brave souls use canned yams—and yes, you can make a serviceable dish with Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows Canned Yams —the depth of flavour achieved by using fresh sweet potatoes is unmatched. Crucially, we introduce richness via melted butter and a touch of cream or whole milk, binding the mixture with eggs and seasoning it not just with cinnamon and nutmeg, but with the bright, high note of fresh orange zest. This zest cuts through the sugar, providing necessary lift.

Setting Expectations: A Flawless Finish Guaranteed

The final presentation is where many falter, resulting in a topping that is either under-toasted or tragically burnt. We manage this by employing a two-stage baking process. The base gets its initial set time to ensure it’s firm enough to support the topping. Then, we introduce the marshmallows for a very brief, high-heat finish under the broiler. This targeted application guarantees that glorious, bubbly, golden-brown crust that defines the best Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows On Top .

The Curated Pantry List: Essential Components for Your Bake

To assemble this masterpiece, you’ll need a collection of ingredients that sound simple but deliver complex flavour. We’re looking for quality in the basics, as there are few places for mediocre components to hide.

Essential Hardware: Tools Needed for Success

Before you even peel your first potato, gather your equipment. You’ll need a substantial pot or steamer basket for softening the potatoes—they must be thoroughly cooked until completely yielding. A sturdy potato masher is traditional, though an electric hand mixer (used sparingly) can certainly ensure that ultra-smooth texture. Finally, a 9x13 inch baking dish is ideal for achieving the right thickness; anything too deep will necessitate longer baking times, risking a dry centre.

Beyond Butter: Elevating the Flavor Base

The base mixture starts with approximately 3 lbs of sweet potatoes, boiled until tender. Once mashed, you’ll incorporate a full stick (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter, melted, alongside 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar, which lends that deep, caramel sweetness. Two large eggs act as the primary binder, ensuring the filling sets beautifully, complemented by a splash of heavy cream for unparalleled smoothness. For the spice profile, aim for 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of allspice. And don't forget that optional—but highly encouraged—zest of half an orange!

Marshmallow Mechanics: Choosing the Right Topping

For the crown, the texture of the marshmallows matters immensely. While you can quarter large marshmallows, the best results come from using a full 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows. They spread more evenly, ensuring every single bite gets that perfect toasted blanket. If you absolutely wish to omit the marshmallows entirely—perhaps seeking a Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows No Nuts profile but also no sugar topping—a buttery pecan streusel makes an excellent alternative, applied later in the bake.

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The Step-by-Step Roadmap to Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows Perfection

The execution of this dish is straightforward but demands attention to detail during the mixing phase to lock in that luxurious texture.

Building the Base: Achieving Silky Smooth Texture Before Baking

We start by ensuring the foundation is flawless. Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C). While the potatoes cook, melt your butter and prepare your spices. The initial bake time is crucial for allowing the eggs to set the structure without scorching the sugar underneath.

Prepping the Potatoes: Boiling, Mashing, and Seasoning

Peel and roughly chop your sweet potatoes, then boil or steam them until they yield easily to a fork—usually about 15 to 20 minutes. The most vital step here is drainage; place the cooked potatoes on paper towels for a few minutes to allow any excess moisture to evaporate. Transfer the dry potatoes to a large bowl. Mash them until they are as smooth as possible. Now, fold in the melted butter, brown sugar, cream, vanilla, all the spices, salt, and that bright orange zest. Finally, gently mix in your two lightly beaten eggs. Mix only until just homogenous; overworking the mixture once the eggs are in can lead to a slightly rubbery final texture. Spread this velvety mixture evenly into your buttered 9x13 dish.

The Crucial Second Layer: Applying the Gooey Crown

Bake the prepared base for 30 to 35 minutes. The edges should appear slightly firm and the center should be mostly set. Pull the dish out and immediately cover the entire surface edge-to-edge with your mini marshmallows. Ensure good coverage for maximum gooey impact.

Oven Strategies: Monitoring Temperature for Golden Brown Bliss

With the marshmallows in place, we transition to high heat for caramelization. Move the dish to the top rack of the oven. Switch the oven setting to Broil (High). Watch this step like a hawk—I cannot stress this enough. It will take anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes for the marshmallows to puff up, bubble, and achieve a beautiful, dappled golden-brown hue. Once achieved, remove immediately. A short rest of 5 to 10 minutes allows the structure to firm up slightly before serving warm.

Troubleshooting & Flavor Twists: Elevating Your Classic Casserole

Even the most seasoned cooks run into hiccups. Understanding how to adjust or enhance the recipe ensures you always recover gracefully and even introduce new dimensions of flavour.

Common Culinary Conundrums Solved (No More Watery Filling!)

If your final casserole is weeping moisture, the culprit is almost always unextracted water from the sweet potatoes. The solution is simple: boil your potatoes, drain them, and then spread the hot, mashed potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 10 minutes before adding the other ingredients. The heat will continue to evaporate residual steam. For a richer flavour profile, especially if you are leaning into a Southern Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows feel, substitute the milk with evaporated milk or even a touch of sweet potato puree mixed with cream cheese.

Creative Substitutions for Dietary Adaptations

This dish lends itself well to modification. For those avoiding nuts, stick to the classic marshmallow topping. If you are looking for a vegan-friendly option, swap the butter for vegan butter, use a rich plant-based cream (like cashew or oat), and replace the eggs with a flax egg mixture (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed whisked with 6 tablespoons water, rested for 5 minutes). This maintains the binding structure while keeping the spirit of Mashed Yams With Marshmallows intact.

The Next Day: Reheating Tips for Perfect Marshmallow Melt

Leftovers are a treasure! To reheat, place a serving (or the whole dish covered loosely with foil) back into a 350° F ( 175° C) oven for 15– 20 minutes until heated through. If the marshmallows have compressed, you can pop it under the broiler for 30 seconds right at the end to re-puff and re-toast the very top layer.

Post-Bake Care: Storing and Reheating This Delight

Proper handling after baking ensures you can enjoy this magnificent casserole over several days, though I doubt it will last that long!

Storing leftovers is best done once the dish has cooled completely. Transfer covered portions to an airtight container. It will maintain excellent quality in the refrigerator for up to four days. Freezing works well too, provided you freeze it without the marshmallow topping. Freeze the base layer flat, and then, when reheating, simply thaw, add a fresh layer of marshmallows, and broil as described above for a "freshly made" experience.