Yam Casserole with Crunchy Topping

8 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 35 m Total: 50 m Beginner
Classic Southern yam casserole with mashed sweet potatoes, vanilla, and a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping that bakes up golden and delicious. Perfect for holiday tables and Sunday dinners when you want that sweet potato comfort.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked mashed yams
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 stick melted butter
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 stick butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine yams, white sugar, eggs, salt and half a stick of melted butter in a large bowl. Add milk and vanilla. Mix well until smooth and creamy. Spoon into a buttered 1 ½ quart casserole dish.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, nuts and 1/3 stick butter. Mix with a fork or your fingers until crumbly. Spread this topping evenly on top of the yams.
  3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until set in the center and the topping is golden brown and crunchy.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: Yes! Assemble the casserole with the sweet potato base and topping, cover with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking, and add 5-10 minutes to the bake time if it's still cold.

Q: Why is my topping soggy instead of crunchy?

A: Make sure you're mixing the butter into the brown sugar, flour, and nuts until it's crumbly, not wet. The mixture should look like coarse sand. Don't spread it on too thick, and make sure your oven is fully preheated.

Tips and Techniques

For the best flavor, use pecans for your chopped nuts - they’re traditional in Southern cooking and pair beautifully with sweet potatoes. You can make the mashed yams from scratch by boiling or baking 4-5 medium sweet potatoes until tender, then mashing.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • chopped nuts: pecans (traditional), walnuts, or leave them out
  • white sugar: light brown sugar
  • milk: half-and-half or evaporated milk

Equipment Needed

  • 1 ½ quart casserole dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl for topping
  • Potato masher (if making yams from scratch)

Historical Context

Sweet potato casseroles became a Southern holiday staple in the early 20th century when marshmallow and nut-topped versions started appearing in community cookbooks across Louisiana and the South.