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Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

Bourbon Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole

Published: Nov 17, 2021 Last Updated: Nov 11, 2022 by Marye 1719 words. | About 9 minutes to read this article.

Bourbon sweet potato crunch casserole is a holiday side dish with just the right amount of special! Yams (or sweet potatoes) are flavored with bourbon and vanilla, covered with a crunchy-sweet praline topping, and baked. Move aside, marshmallows.
Total time 40 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Closeup of sweet potato casserole with text overlay for Pinterest.
Casserole with black and white text overlay for Pinterest.

Recipes just don't get more southern than yams, pecans, and bourbon all tucked under a sweet praline crunch.

If you're looking for a less sweet dish, next time try the chipotle sweet potato mash.

Overhead view of sweet potato casserole with title text overlay.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🎥 Video
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Tips
  • 👩‍🍳 Faqs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • Restless Chipotle recommends...
  • 📞 The last word
  • Bourbon Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

This is one of my favorite side dishes. I love buttery sweet potatoes any time but for Thanksgiving dinner it just doesn't get more "fall" than this - bourbon, fall spices, yams, pecans....

  • You can assemble it ahead of time and bake it on the big day!
  • It's a little upgrade on the classic Thanksgiving side dish, sweet potatoes with marshmallows.
  • Bourbon balances the sweetness and adds layers of flavor while the crunchy praline adds texture.

Even if you're not a fan of sweet potatoes you may find yourself taking another helping of this great recipe!

It's the perfect way update old fashioned yams.

🧾 Ingredients

This easy recipe is filled with fall flavor and color. Rich, vibrant, and sure to become a family tradition!

Labeled ingredients for sweet potato crunch recipe.
  • Sweet potatoes or yams can be fresh or canned.
  • Make sure fresh sweet potatoes are firm to the touch and the skin is intact with no soft spots.
  • Completely drain canned yams.
  • Heavy cream lightens the sweet potatoes and gives them creaminess. You can substitute whole milk or evaporated milk if you wish to cut down on some of the fat.

🔪 Instructions

This traditional side dish couldn't be easier! The main thing to remember is to really whip the ingredients together so they are light and fluffy.

Collage of images showing how to make this recipe step by step.
  1. After baking, scoop the sweet potato flesh out into a mixer and throw the peels away. If you're using canned yams then be sure to drain them thoroughly.
  2. Whip on high speed until fluffy.
  3. Add vanilla and spices.
  4. Whip in the brown sugar.
  5. Add melted butter, heavy cream, and bourbon.
  6. Spoon the sweet potato mixture into a greased baking dish and set aside.
  7. Chop the pecans.
  8. Combine sugar and melted butter. Mix in the pecans.
  9. Saute until the brown sugar is melted and no longer grainy. Watch carefully!
  10. Place the candied pecans on the top of the casserole and bake.
  11. Serve hot.

How to bake sweet potatoes

The best way to cook the sweet potatoes for this recipe is by baking. If you've never done it before check out my tutorial on how to bake sweet potatoes step by step!

To boil

Boiling is not the best way to cook sweet potatoes for use in this bourbon sweet potato casserole. The potatoes soak up water as they cook and the flavor will be a bit weak and the texture can be watery.

But, if you must, here's how...

  1. Peel sweet potatoes.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  3. Cut in chunks and add to the water.
  4. Boil until tender.
  5. Drain.

🎥 Video

Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

Video cover for this recipe - click to go to the YouTube video.
Click here to watch the video on YouTube.

🥫 Storage

Leftover sweet potato casserole should be covered with plastic wrap or put in an airtight container and refrigerated promptly. This will be fine in the fridge for 3 or 4 days total.

For longer storage you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Cover tightly with plastic wrap then aluminum foil.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: Due to differences in ovens and casserole dishes baking times can vary. Be sure to check the sweet potato casserole after about 20 minutes... The internal temperature will be 160F with an instant read thermometer when it's done.

  • Even though it's not in a traditional sweet potato casserole use a good bourbon in this. Trust me! It makes a huge difference in the flavor.
  • A teaspoon of vanilla extract is delicious in this - especially if you're leaving the bourbon out.
  • The bourbon cooks out - you don't have to worry about getting the kids tipsy.
  • If you prefer not to use bourbon you can use extra cream, cream soda, or even ginger ale in place of it.
  • Put your casserole dish on a baking sheet in case there are bubble overs.
  • Sweet potatoes and yams are interchangeable. Use either one.
  • I prefer to roast or bake the potatoes when I make this dish with fresh produce. I think it gives them more flavor.
  • Save time by using canned yams that have been well drained - but... it won't be as good.
  • I don't recommend chopping the pecans with a food processor. Chop them by hand. They need to be coarsely chopped for the best texture.
  • Use as thick a layer of candied pecan crumble as you wish. That crunchy topping is SO good.
  • You can prepare this sweet, buttery sweet potato side dish about 3 days ahead of time, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Bake before serving.
  • This dish freezes well.

Here's a great article on the difference between sweet potatoes and yams.

Serving of sweet potato crunch on a white plate.

👩‍🍳 Faqs

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Can a homemade sweet potato casserole be frozen?

Yes, just prepare as directed but leave the topping off and don't bake it. Cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. The night before you plan to serve it put it in the fridge to thaw. Add the pecans, bake, and serve as directed.

How long does this keep in the fridge?

You can cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator 3-5 days.

How do you reheat sweet potato crunch casserole?

Cover with aluminum foil and reheat in a 325F oven for about 15 minutes.

What is sweet potato crunch?

An easy side dish made with whipped yams and baked with a crunchy pecan praline topping.

📚 Related recipes

  • Roasted Sweet Potato Salad: Simple Side Dish Recipe
  • Sweet-Spicy Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes Cubes
  • Old Fashioned Potato Soup Recipe
  • Creamy Ground Beef and Potato Skillet Dinner
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  • Collage of side dishes to serve with chicken noodle soup.
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🍽️ Serve with...

Creamy and delicious, this southern sweet potato crunch casserole recipe is the stuff Thanksgiving memories are made of! But don't wait til then!

This is the perfect fall side dish to serve with all your favorite dinner recipes!

  • French Onion Chicken
  • Deviled Chicken
  • Crockpot Country Ribs
  • Cloverleaf Rolls

Restless Chipotle recommends...

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • sweet potatoes
  • pecans
  • butter
  • brown sugar
  • cinnamon
  • allspice
  • cloves
  • heavy cream
  • nutmeg
  • casserole dish
  • electric mixer

📞 The last word

We love these creamy sweet potatoes! Sometimes I'll leave the "crunch" off and use marshmallows but it's always on our Thanksgiving table!

It's a family recipe that I've been making for at least 40 years. I'm sure that once you try it you'll love it as much as we do.

I like to think of it as a side dish or maybe a healthy dessert.

Click over to this post for more prep ahead sides for Thanksgiving and you'll definitely want to check out this tutorial and preparing the sweet potatoes for this recipe.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Close up of sweet potato crunch casserole with a serving removed from dish.
4.77 from 85 votes

Bourbon Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole

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Bourbon sweet potato crunch casserole is a holiday side dish with just the right amount of special! Yams (or sweet potatoes) are flavored with bourbon and vanilla, covered with a crunchy-sweet praline topping, and baked. Move aside, marshmallows.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American - Southern,Holiday
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings:8 servings
Calories:576
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Stand mixer
  • 13x9-inch pan

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds sweet potatoes/yams, or 3 29-ounce cans, drained
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Topping

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup butter

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Slice sweet potatoes in half, brush with butter, and bake at 350F until tender - or drain canned yams.
  • Remove the peels and add the cooked sweet potatoes to the bowl of your mixer and blend until smooth.
  • Add the remaining ingredients, except topping, and whip until well blended and fluffy.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings.
  • Spoon into a greased casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle with the pecan topping.
  • Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Topping

  • Melt butter in a heavy saucepan.
  • Add the chopped pecans and brown sugar.
  • Cook, stirring often, until the pecans are well coated.
  • Spoon the topping over the yam mixture.

Notes

Note: In the video I say there are eggs in this recipe. There are no eggs in this recipe. Once in awhile I forget what I am actually doing.::shakes head:::
  • Expert Tip: Due to differences in ovens and casserole dishes baking times can vary. Be sure to check the sweet potato casserole after about 20 minutes... The internal temperature will be 160F with an instant read thermometer when it's done.
    • Even though it's not in a traditional sweet potato casserole use a good bourbon in this. Trust me! It makes a huge difference in the flavor.
    • A teaspoon of vanilla extract is delicious in this - especially if you're leaving the bourbon out.
    • The bourbon cooks out - you don't have to worry about getting the kids tipsy.
    • If you prefer not to use bourbon you can use extra cream, cream soda, or even ginger ale in place of it.
    • Put your casserole dish on a baking sheet in case there are bubble overs.
    • Sweet potatoes and yams are interchangeable. Use either one.
    • I prefer to roast or bake the potatoes when I make this dish with fresh produce. I think it gives them more flavor.
    • Save time by using canned yams that have been well drained - but... it won't be as good.
    • I don't recommend chopping the pecans with a food processor. Chop them by hand. They need to be coarsely chopped for the best texture.
    • Use as thick a layer of candied pecan crumble as you wish. That crunchy topping is SO good.
    • You can prepare this sweet, buttery sweet potato side dish about 3 days ahead of time, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Bake before serving.
    • This dish freezes well.
    Here's a great article on the difference between sweet potatoes and yams.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 855mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 32861IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 2mg

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    First published November 4, 2014. Last Updated November 17, 2021 to add more information, tips, and faqs.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda

      November 18, 2022 at 9:26 pm

      Can you use pumpkin pie spice instead of all of the seasonings?

      Reply
      • Marye

        November 19, 2022 at 3:24 pm

        sure.

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