America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Candied Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Marshmallow Topping

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 21, 2007

Yield

Serves 10 to 12

Candied Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Marshmallow Topping

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into 1-inch chunks5 pounds sweet potatoes (about 8 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 ½ teaspoons table salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ cup water

Topping

4 cups mini-marshmallows

Before You Begin

For a more intense molasses flavor, use dark brown sugar in place of light brown sugar. To make ahead, follow the recipe through step 2. Refrigerate the sweet-potato mixture in a large microwave-safe bowl, tightly wrapped with plastic wrap, for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, poke several vent holes in the plastic wrap covering the potatoes and microwave on medium-high power until hot, 3 to 5 minutes, and continue with step 3.

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and water; bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring often, until the sweet potatoes are tender (a paring knife can be slipped into and out of the center of the potatoes with very little resistance), 45 to 60 minutes.
  2. When the sweet potatoes are tender, remove the lid and bring the sauce to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat. Continue to simmer until the sauce has reduced to a glaze, 7 to 10 minutes.
  3. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Pour the potato mixture into a 13 by 9-inch baking dish (or a shallow casserole dish of similar size). Spread the marshmallows over the potatoes. Bake until the marshmallows are crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Candied Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Marshmallow Topping

Candied Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Marshmallow Topping

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Yield

Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into 1-inch chunks
5 pounds sweet potatoes (about 8 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons table salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup water

Topping

4 cups mini-marshmallows

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into 1-inch chunks
5 pounds sweet potatoes (about 8 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons table salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup water

Topping

4 cups mini-marshmallows

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into 1-inch chunks
5 pounds sweet potatoes (about 8 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons table salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup water

Topping

4 cups mini-marshmallows

Why This Recipe Works

Sweet potato casserole is often claimed as a must-have at the Thanksgiving table. Kids love this sweet, sticky dish, but adults long for a side dish with more restrained sweetness, rather than one that could double as dessert. We set out to develop a sweet potato casserole with a bit of a savory accent to please everyone.

For the best texture and flavor, we steamed the sweet potatoes on the stovetop with a little water, butter, and brown sugar. We kept the other flavorings simple—just salt and pepper.

Before You Begin

For a more intense molasses flavor, use dark brown sugar in place of light brown sugar. To make ahead, follow the recipe through step 2. Refrigerate the sweet-potato mixture in a large microwave-safe bowl, tightly wrapped with plastic wrap, for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, poke several vent holes in the plastic wrap covering the potatoes and microwave on medium-high power until hot, 3 to 5 minutes, and continue with step 3.

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and water; bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring often, until the sweet potatoes are tender (a paring knife can be slipped into and out of the center of the potatoes with very little resistance), 45 to 60 minutes.
  2. When the sweet potatoes are tender, remove the lid and bring the sauce to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat. Continue to simmer until the sauce has reduced to a glaze, 7 to 10 minutes.
  3. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Pour the potato mixture into a 13 by 9-inch baking dish (or a shallow casserole dish of similar size). Spread the marshmallows over the potatoes. Bake until the marshmallows are crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.