This is a very unique pecan crusted Southern sweet potato casserole with canned yams recipe. It has a deep, thick pecan crusting that is infused on top. It comes from a leading 1990s recipe.
Also, this is part of our Sides, Vegetables, Desserts, Potatoes, Holidays, Christmas, & Thanksgiving Categories. And, it’s listed in our Holiday Dinner Suggestions and Christmas Dinner Meals Ideas articles.
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
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Ingredients
Main Batter Ingredients
- 29 ounces Yams Bruce's Yams, canned, well-drained
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 6 Tbsp butter or margarine
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or triple amount of vanilla flavoring
- ½ cup half-and-half or milk
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- 1 medium apple diced small. Or, can use 1/2 can apple pie filling (diced small)
Topping Ingredients
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- 10 Tbsp butter or margarine
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, use middle shelf. Optionally, use 375℉ if baking other items requiring that temp.
- Oil or grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet or a 13x9x2 casserole dish (or foil pan).
- Make the Batter: Drain the canned potatoes and mash them. Add them and any remaining main batter ingredients into a mixing bowl.29 ounces Yams, ½ cup sugar, 2 large eggs, 6 Tbsp butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ cup half-and-half, ¾ tsp cinnamon
- Add Optional Ingredients: This step is ONLY if you're adding in any of the optional ingredients. Add any of them in at this time. With the optional apple (or pie filling), it must be diced small.½ cup shredded coconut, 1 medium apple
- Mix all ingredients together in the mixing bowl by hand. Lumpy batter is normal. Pour into the greased skillet/pan.
- Make the Topping: Mix together the topping ingredients and spread evenly across the batter in the skillet/pan. Pat it down to come into better contact with the batter. Ensure there's at least a ½-inch space clearance from the top.2 tsp cinnamon, 2 cups chopped pecans, 10 Tbsp butter, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
- Bake uncovered in the preheated 350°F oven in the center rack (or just below it) for 50-60 minutes, until topping becomes browned. If at 375℉, reduce time by 10 minutes.
- After removed from oven, it will take about 15-30 minutes for the topping to harden.
Notes
Nutrition
Ingredients for Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
For ease, use canned yams. My primary choice is Bruce’s Yams. I’ve also tried it with fresh potatoes and didn’t notice a difference. The ingredients are pretty common already in the kitchen, other than the yams and pecans. Use vanilla flavoring as an extract alternate; just triple up on it. The other ingredients are common like eggs, flour, and so on.
Optional Ingredients for Southern Sweet Potato Casserole: Apples, Coconut, or Marshmallows
If you chose the optional ingredient of an apple, you’re in the unique position of having a very good apple and sweet potato casserole. don’t care for adding both the diced apple and the coconut combined. However, both coconut and marshmallows is a classic pair. Just finish everything with adding small marshmallows on top. Finally, ensure you don’t cut any corners on the cooking time and the resting time; apples need to fully cook & the pecan crust needs to harden.
How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
The steps on how to make sweet potato casserole with canned yams is very easy when following this order.
Step 1. Add all the batter ingredients in a mixing bowl. Then, mix it all up with a regular fork. Also, it’s normal to be lumpy.
Step 2. Pour the batter into a greased cast iron skillet or oiled casserole dish.
Step 3. Add all the pecan topping ingredients in a mixing bowl. Then, mix it all up by hand. It will be a bit crumbly.
Step 4. Add the pecan topping by hand all across the entire sweet potato mixture in the skillet/casserole dish.
Step 5. Bake uncovered on middle shelf at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or 375°F at 10 minutes less.
Step 6. You MUST let is rest for 15-30 minutes for the topping to harden and become a crust. Then, it’s ready to serve by scooping it out with a large serving spoon! Top with whipped cream if you like.
Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time
The greatest thing is that you can plan this recipe in the baking dish and put it in the fridge for a max of 3 days before baking. When ready to bake, just set it out a little in advance (1 hour maybe) so the dish doesn’t break in the oven. Also, I’ve baked this in the disposable foil pans before with equal success in flavor at office luncheons.
Sweet Potato Casserole Baking Temperature
Bake this sweet potato casserole at 350°F. That’s because the higher temperatures negatively impact the encrusting process as well as well as the melding of flavors. However, if you’re needing to match the oven temperature with something else at 375°F, go ahead and just reduce the total baking time by 10 minutes.
FAQ About Sweet Potatoes and Yams
Are canned Yams the same as Sweet Potatoes?
Sometimes. There’s a long history of incorrect terminology between “Yam” and “Sweet Potato”. Read the next section on the difference between a Yam and a Sweet Potato. So, many recipes call for (canned) Yams. Also, many canned Yams are actually sweet potatoes but that’s not a guarantee. This recipe calls for Bruce’s Yams as it’s been identified as using the sweetest part of the sweet potato. For sweetness, you don’t want fresh Yams. Keep reading to see why.
Is there a difference between a Yam and a Sweet Potato?
Yes! There is a distinct difference between the Yam and the Sweet Potato. If you choose to use a fresh product instead of canned, be advised to ensure you get fresh sweet potatoes and don’t use fresh yams. However, some locations might use a sign that reports a sweet potato as a Yam, for consumer recognition due to a long history of mistaken naming. The sweet potato and yam come from two different sources. The true Yam is not sweet; the canned Yam (if a sweet potato, and most are), is sweet.
Does a Yam look different from a Sweet Potato?
Regarding canned Yams, if they’re actually sweet potatoes, they’re orange. Regarding fresh products, Yes; they’re noticeably different. For example, the sweet potato will have an orange interior with a smooth skin. Finally, a true Yam will have a very rough outer skin (like bark) with a brown interior.
Related Posts
- Here’s interesting info about the Sweet Potato.
- Pan Fried Potato Slices
- Southern Delight Pecans (by Jerryl McQuillen in South Carolina)
Nutritional Values of Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
There are about 484 calories per sweet potato casserole serving, with no options added. More detailed nutritional values are shown in the <Print Recipe> option.
Conclusion of Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
You’ll be the hit of any dinner or office party on this unique Southern sweet potato casserole recipe. It doubles as a side dish or as a final dessert that’s not too sweet but, just right. It’s great for any chicken or barbecue pork cookout. Finally, it’s a hit at any seasonal holiday dinner.