Maple & Spice Sweet Potato Delight
Indulge in the rich flavors of our Maple & Spice Sweet Potato Delight, a perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal or family gathering. This delightful casserole features creamy, perfectly baked sweet potatoes nestled in a luscious syrup made with brown sugar, orange juice, and fragrant pumpkin pie spice. Topped with a crunchy pecan and marshmallow crust, each bite bursts with a harmonious blend of sweetness and spice. Easy to prepare and sure to impress, this dish is a comforting classic you'll want to share with loved ones.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Light Brown Sugar
1/2 cup (firmly packed)
Orange Juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Vanilla Extract
2 tablespoons (pure)
Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 1/2 teaspoons (divided)
Sweet Potatoes
3 lbs (peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces)
Butter
4 tablespoons (divided)
Flour
1/4 cup (all-purpose)
Chopped Pecans
1/2 cup (lightly toasted if desired)
Miniature Marshmallows
2 cups (standard size)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup of brown sugar, orange juice, and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Mix well until combined.
3
Add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to the bowl and toss them gently in the syrup until well-coated.
4
Transfer the sweet potatoes into a greased 9x13 baking dish, ensuring an even layer. Dot the top with 2 tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces.
5
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
6
While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the topping. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, flour, and 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
7
Using a fork, cut in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8
Fold in the chopped pecans and miniature marshmallows until evenly distributed.
9
Once the sweet potatoes are tender, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Stir gently to coat the potatoes in the syrup.
10
Sprinkle the marshmallow-pecan topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.
11
Bake uncovered for an additional 7 to 10 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the marshmallows are toasty.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maple & Spice Sweet Potato Delight?
It is a comforting casserole dish featuring creamy baked sweet potatoes in a brown sugar and orange juice syrup, topped with a crunchy pecan and toasted marshmallow crust.
What are the primary ingredients needed for this recipe?
The main ingredients include 3 lbs of sweet potatoes, light brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, butter, flour, chopped pecans, and miniature marshmallows.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How should the sweet potatoes be prepared?
The sweet potatoes should be peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces before baking.
How long does the initial bake take?
The sweet potatoes should bake covered for 45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
What is in the marshmallow topping?
The topping is made from a mixture of brown sugar, flour, pumpkin pie spice, butter, chopped pecans, and miniature marshmallows.
Is this sweet potato recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian.
What size baking dish is required?
A greased 9x13 baking dish is recommended for this casserole.
Can I substitute the pecans?
Yes, you can substitute pecans with walnuts or omit them entirely if there is a nut allergy.
How many marshmallows are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of standard-size miniature marshmallows.
Why is the dish covered with foil initially?
The dish is covered with aluminum foil to help the sweet potatoes steam and become tender without drying out.
How long do I bake the casserole once the topping is added?
Bake the casserole uncovered for an additional 7 to 10 minutes until the topping is golden and the marshmallows are toasty.
What kind of spice is used in the recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice, divided between the potato syrup and the topping.
Can I use freshly squeezed orange juice?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor.
Is there vanilla extract in this dish?
Yes, the ingredient list includes 2 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract.
How much butter is needed in total?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of butter in total, divided between the sweet potato layer and the topping.
Should the brown sugar be packed?
Yes, the 1/2 cup of light brown sugar should be firmly packed.
What type of flour is used for the topping?
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour is used to help create the crumbly topping texture.
Can I toast the pecans beforehand?
Yes, the recipe notes that pecans can be lightly toasted if desired before adding them to the topping.
Is this a high protein dish?
No, this recipe is specifically tagged as low protein.
How do I ensure the potatoes are well-coated?
Toss the cubed sweet potatoes gently in the syrup mixture in a large mixing bowl until every piece is evenly coated.
What provides the 'Delight' in the flavor profile?
The 'delight' comes from the harmonious blend of sweetness from the marshmallows and brown sugar and the warmth of the pumpkin spice.
Can this be served as a holiday side dish?
Absolutely, it is described as a perfect accompaniment to holiday meals and family gatherings.
How many sweet potatoes make 3 lbs?
Depending on size, 3 lbs is usually about 4 to 6 medium-sized sweet potatoes.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features creamy, tender potatoes contrasted by a crunchy pecan and gooey marshmallow crust.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food due to its warm spices and rich, sweet flavor.
What happens after the sweet potatoes are tender?
You should remove the dish from the oven, stir gently to coat the potatoes in the syrup, and then apply the topping.
How should the butter be added to the sweet potatoes?
The first 2 tablespoons of butter should be cut into small pieces and dotted over the top of the potatoes before baking.
What is the syrup made of?
The syrup is made by combining brown sugar, orange juice, and pumpkin pie spice.
How do I make the topping mixture look like crumbs?
Use a fork to cut the butter into the flour, sugar, and spice mixture until it reaches a coarse crumb consistency.