Sweet Potato Casserole with Rum and Candied Pecans

Sweet Potato Casserole with Rum and Candied Pecans is a must have winter side dish. With fluffy sweet potatoes flavored with rum and topped with crunchy pecans, it screams cold weather comfort food!

This sweet potato casserole with rum and candied pecans goes down in the annals of my kitchen adventures as a happy accident.

Many years ago, when Candy Crush was still the craze, I excitedly tossed a few pounds of sweet potatoes in the oven with the intention of turning them into twice-baked sweet potatoes but I got distracted along the way. I logged on to Facebook while waiting for my favorite tubers to roast and by the time I remembered to check, they were too soft  to hold shape for the twice baked recipe I had in mind. If you’ve ever played that silly game, you understand why I lose the sense of time. Addicting, right?

Well, you can just imagine how frustrated I was with myself but as I am not one to waste, I decided to salvage the mushy mess and make this sweet potato casserole instead. May I say, all’s well that ends well? The casserole turned out so creamy and delicious G and I not only polished the whole eight servings between us in one meal that day, it has also become a side dish we make regularly year-round. With fluffy sweet potatoes bursting with rum flavor and bits of  sugary pecans, it absolutely screams comfort food.

If you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham, this sweet potato casserole with rum and candied pecans won’t disappoint! Although the recipe does call for rum, the amount added is negligible enough for everyone at the table to enjoy. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. May life give you many reasons to be thankful.

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Rum and Candied Pecans

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

1 hrs 30 mins

Total Time

1 hrs 45 mins

 

Sweet Potato Casserole with Rum and Candied Pecans is a must have winter side dish. With fluffy sweet potatoes flavored with rum and topped with crunchy pecans, it screams comfort food.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 389 kcal

Author: Onion Rings and Things

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• rum sauce
• 1 cup candied pecans, chopped

For the Rum Sauce

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons rum

Instructions

1. Scrub sweet potatoes well and pat dry. Arrange on a baking sheet and with a fork, pierce each potato 2 or 3 times. Bake in a 400 F oven for about 45 to 50 minutes or until tender. Allow to cool and then peel skin, discarding skins.
2. In a large bowl, mash the potatoes until smooth. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and rum sauce. Whisk together until well combined. Transfer mixture into a buttered baking dish. Smooth top and sprinkle with candied pecans.
3. Bake in a 350 F oven for about 30 to 35 minutes or until browned and heated through.

For the Rum Sauce

1. In a sauce pan over medium heat, add butter and sugar and cook, stirring regularly, until sugar is melted. Add heavy cream and cook, stirring regularly, until mixture begins to boil and is slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in rum.

Nutrition Facts

Sweet Potato Casserole with Rum and Candied Pecans

Amount Per Serving (168 g)

Calories 389 Calories from Fat 178

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 19.8g 30%

Saturated Fat 11g 55%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 51mg 17%

Sodium 103mg 4%

Potassium 979mg 28%

Total Carbohydrates 50.5g 17%

Dietary Fiber 5.1g 20%

Sugars 18.3g

Protein 2.6g 5%

Vitamin A 15%

Vitamin C 33%

Calcium 5%

Iron 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

First published November 16, 2013.