Description
This Hot Honey Sweet Potato Casserole is a delightful twist on the classic holiday side dish, combining creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a spicy-sweet honey glaze and a crunchy cornflake-pecan topping. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it balances warmth, sweetness, and texture for a crowd-pleasing dish that complements any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- ½ cup hot honey
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- ¾ cup hot honey (divided, ¼ cup for topping mix, additional for drizzling)
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 cups corn flakes
- ½ cup pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and set it aside to use later.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes and simmer for 15 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. Drain the potatoes thoroughly using a colander.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl or the original cooking pot, combine the cooked sweet potatoes, ½ cup hot honey, ½ cup butter, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Use an electric hand mixer or a potato masher to mash the ingredients together until smooth and well incorporated.
- Spread Sweet Potato Mixture: Evenly spread the mashed sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Prepare the Topping: Melt the remaining ¼ cup butter in a medium bowl. Stir in the leftover ¼ cup hot honey and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon until combined.
- Crush Cornflakes and Pecans: Crush the corn flakes and pecans together using a food processor or by placing them in a large plastic zipper bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Mix this crushed crunchy mixture into the butter and hot honey blend.
- Top the Casserole: Sprinkle the crunchy cornflake and pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally drizzle with extra hot honey before serving to add an extra layer of sweet heat.
Notes
- Hot honey adds a spicy sweetness that balances the casserole; adjust the amount to your heat preference.
- If you prefer a milder topping, substitute regular honey or maple syrup for the hot honey.
- Ensure sweet potatoes are well drained before mashing to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- Pecans add crunch and nutty flavor, but walnuts can be used as an alternative.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving for convenience.
