This Copycat Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole is hands down the best way to welcome the holiday season. An effortlessly delicious version of a classic dish that is full of warmth with its creamy sweet potatoes, holiday spices and a golden brown sugar and pecan streusel topping.
It’s a simple recipe that will soon be a family favorite and will have them asking for more. No seriously, prepare yourself to host next Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s that good.
Cracker Barrel is a southern staple. If you know, you know. And you must or you woudn’t be here! I’ve been making this dish for years. YEARS. And I’m confident in saying this delicious casserole is the Best Copycat Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole recipe out there.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole
- Decadent - The sweet potato casserole is over the top in every way and rich in holiday flavor
- Versatile - There are many components that you can add to this recipe to enhance personal or family preference.
- Prep- One of the easiest recipes to prep or make ahead with little to no affect on the overall
- Great for families of all sizes- easy to double or triple to feed various family dynamics
This easy sweet potato casserole recipe is forever my go-to for any holiday meal or special occasion, and by far the most popular dish at Thanksgiving dinner. And It’s that time of the year!
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Ingredients & Substitutions
- Sweet potatoes: I use 3-4 large fresh sweet potatoes in similar size. I find the flavor is best when baked and ensures creamy sweet potatoes when mashed. For faster cooking boiling is fine.
- Butter: I always use unsalted butter when cooking. You can always sample the mixture before baking and add salt as desired. Melted butter is best but room temperature will work with a little extra muscle.
- White Sugar: When making the sweet potato mixture, you can substitute brown sugar for white, but I suggest using white from a textural stand point. Either will ensure the same sweet flavor.
- Brown sugar: I use light brown sugar but dark brown sugar would work just as well. Brown sugar must be used for the streusel topping.
- Cinnamon: I fold the cinnamon into my sweet potatoe mixture. You can also add it to your streusel topping if desired.
- Pecans: I’m not a nut girl but these crunchy pecans are mandatory. I prefer small pieces but you can use pecan halves. Walnuts are second best. Sub marshmallows if needed for food allergy concerns.
- Evaportated Milk : To help keep the mixture smooth and creamy. Whole milk, almond or cashew are interchangeable if needed for dietary measures.
- Vanilla Extract: Becasue it’s vanilla extract and this is a southern dish. I don’t have to explain any further. It’s an OG.
- Eggs: A binder. Lightly beating the eggs keeps the creamy potatoes fluffy and light while thickening the mixture
- APF: All purpose gives the struesal ensures a crunchy topping. Gluten-free flour can be used as well.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole
Mash sweet potatoes once cooled and peeled. Beat eggs in a bowl. Mix all wet ingredients, mashed sweet potatoes and white sugar into a large bowl until well blended.
Transfer sweet potato mixture to a 2 Qt non greased baking dish.
Combine all streusel topping ingredients in medium bowl.
Streusel should look like a wet crumble when mixed properly
Hint: This recipe easily feeds a family of 4-6. For special occasions, holidays or big dinner parties, this recipe works best when doubled or tripled.
Variations
The simple ingredients listed above are staples of any classic southern sweet potato casserole. However, the beauty of cooking is adding your own twist. Here are a few of my favorite variations for this Copycat Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole.
- Orange extract - in addition to the vanilla extract do add a little citrus flare and enhance the holiday feel.
- Orange juice concentrate - Or fresh squeezed orange juice. Your taste buds will thank you.
- Nutmeg / Ground Ginger - in place or in addition to the cinnamon. The combination of sweet potatoes with these spices are foolproof.
- Mini Marshmallows: If tradition is more your thing.
- Salt- It’s all personal prefrence. This copycat recipe is pretty sweet so a pinch of salt can be of relief. If sweet and salty is your thing I would suggest adding course salt or finishing salt to your streusel for that perfect balance
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out and the amount of time it takes to make. Here is a quick overview of the most effective equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Potato masher
- Large bowl or food processor
- Small bowl
- Hand mixer or electric mixer
- Casserole / Baking dish
How to store Copycat Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole
Store left over casserole in an air tight container or cover casserole dish with paired lid. Keep in refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
These ingredients hold up really well when prepped a day or two ahead if needed. Ensure dish is covered securely with lid, tin foil or plastic wrap while kept in refrigerator and removed entirely before baking.
Expert tips
For best sweet potato flavor and less prep work, I take 3-4 large sweet potatoes and brush with oil and bake at 425 for 1 hr or until fork tender. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, I can easily remove the peel and transfer the potatoes to a blowl to be mashed
FAQ
Yes! Use a 1:1 Ratio of Gluten free flour in place of APF for any gluten free needs
This can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. For best results let thaw before baking. Leftovers can be stored in an air tight container/bag and kept in freezer for up to 3 months as well.
Absolutely! Pre baked casserole can be kept in the fridge up to 2 days before baking. Once baked and cooled, baked sweet potato casserole can be stored in the fridge up to 3 days before reheating and serving.
This casserole is best reheated in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes. If reheating individual leftovers, microwaving is quickest. While the streusel topping may lose some of its crunch when microwaved, the taste is even better the next day!
No. But that’s my humble opinion and a hill I’ll die on. While this is very much a sweet side dish, it’s still a side dish.
Food Safety
- Mindful of raw eggs in mixture if taste testing while adding variations to your liking
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Nut Allergy awareness
Copycat Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups Mashed sweet potato 3 large Sweet potatoes
- 2 Eggs beaten
- 1 Cup Sugar
- ½ Cup Butter melted
- 1 Tbs Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tbs Maple Syrup
- ⅓ Cup Evaporated milk
Streusel Topping
- ½ Cup Packed brown sugar
- ¼ Cup All purpose flour
- 2 Tbs Butter Melted
- ½ Cup Chopped Pecans
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 425.
- Brush sweet potatoes with oil or wrap individually in aluminum foil.
- Bake at 425 for 1 hour. Flipping halfway
- Ensure sweet potatoes are fork tender. Remove from oven and let cool. Discard of peel.
- If boiling sweet potatoes, peel and cut into same sized pieces. Transfer to boiling water and let cook until fork tender. Usually about 20 minutes.
- Transfer cooked peeled potatoes to a large bowl and mash to your liking.
- In a small bowl beat eggs
- Add eggs to large bowl with mashed sweet potatoes
- Add remaining ingredients to bowl and mix until smooth
- Transfer mixture to non greased casserole dish
- In a medium bowl combine all streusel topping ingredients and mix until a crumble like texture forms
- Top casserole dish with streusel topping.
- Bake @ 350 for 25 minutes
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