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Best Brown Sugar Glazed Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

brown sugar glazed sweet potato casserole - featured image

This brown sugar glazed sweet potato casserole is a simple, unfussy side dish that lets the sweet potato shine. A glossy, caramelized brown sugar glaze coats tender slices of sweet potato, creating a dish that’s sweet enough for a treat but balanced enough for a holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 2.5 lbs / 1.1 kg)
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup packed (100 g) brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them into 1/4-inch (6 mm) thick rounds.
  3. Layer the sweet potato slices in the prepared baking dish, overlapping them slightly like shingles on a roof.
  4. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth and bubbling gently, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Pour the hot glaze evenly over the sweet potato slices. Use a spatula to scrape every last bit out of the pan. Tilt the dish slightly to make sure the glaze seeps down between the layers. If adding nuts, sprinkle them over the top now.
  6. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  7. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the glaze is thick, bubbly, and caramelized around the edges. For deeper caramelization, broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For even cooking, slice sweet potatoes uniformly. Don’t skip the foil covering—it prevents the glaze from burning before the potatoes are tender. Let the casserole rest before serving to allow the glaze to set. For extra glaze, multiply the glaze ingredients by 1.5. To make ahead, assemble the casserole (without topping) up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, brown sugar glaze, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving side, easy sweet potato recipe, gluten-free side dish, vegetarian side dish