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Close-up of black folks’ sweet potato casserole with toasted mini marshmallows and whole pecans over a caramelized praline crumble.

Black Folks’ Sweet Potato Casserole — Toasted Marshmallow & Pecan Praline

This Black folks’ sweet potato casserole serves 4 and delivers creamy, spiced mashed sweet potatoes topped with pecan praline and toasted mini marshmallows. Boil (or roast) the potatoes, mash with butter, brown sugar, evaporated milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, then bake. Finish with marshmallows until golden. Cozy, soul-food flavor in about 45–55 minutes—perfect for Thanksgiving or Sunday dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: dinner, lunch
Cuisine: African American, Southern Cuisine
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Sweet Potato Base
  • 3 medium sweet potatoes about 1.2 lb / 550 g
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup evaporated milk or heavy cream for extra richness
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
For the Pecan Praline Topping
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
For the Marshmallow Layer
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Peel and chop sweet potatoes into chunks. Boil in salted water for 15–20 minutes, or until tender. Drain well.
  2. Step 2: Mash and Mix: In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth. Add butter, sugars, evaporated milk, egg, spices, vanilla, and salt. Mix until creamy and fully combined.
  3. Step 3: Prepare the Dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a small baking dish (about 8x8 inches). Pour in the sweet potato mixture and smooth the top.
  4. Step 4: Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the sweet potato layer.
  5. Step 5: Bake and Add Marshmallows: Bake for 20 minutes. Remove, top with mini marshmallows, and return to oven for another 8–10 minutes, or until the marshmallows turn golden brown and slightly toasted.