Servings: 10 Prep Time: 75 Min
In our family, thanksgiving meal hasn't changed since the Reagan administration, maybe even before that. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes and of course canned cranberry sauce. Recipes may change slightly, with the exception of the cranberry sauce, but my family finds it hard to stray to much from the classics. Maybe because it's a tradition, or maybe because we are scared of change? Whichever the reason, it's predictable and easy to prepare for. That being said, I'd prepare you heart. Not because thanksgiving is an emotional time, although sometimes it is, but because your routine is about to change.
For many, a sweet potato casserole isn't something new to your turkey day meal. I'd say it's pretty traditional. Over the years I've experimented with everything from maple bourbon, to toasted marshmallow. You really can't go wrong with either of those, however in the spirit of trying something new, like I often do, this year I've decided to put this Bees Knees Granola sweet potato casserole on the menu.
Essentially, casserole is what thanksgiving and post thanksgiving is all about. Am I right? Lets just put a bird and a bunch of casseroles in front of us, pile it high on our plate, loosen our belt a notch (or two), give thanks, and over-eat!
This dish will fit right in on your lazy susan along side all your other casseroles and side dishes. It might even be a perfect replacement to your families sweet potato recipe this year. No pressure, but if you're looking to switch up your families thanksgiving routine, give it a try.
What you'll need
For the topping:
3 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup Bees Knees Granola
1/2 cup pecan pieces
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
5 cups mashed sweet potatoes (3-4 large potatoes)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup milk (2% or whole)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Filling
Step 1
Measure mashed sweet potatoes into a bowl (bake potatoes the previous day to eliminate prep work on baking day).
Step 2
Add butter, milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir well and transfer potato mixture to a casserole dish.
Topping
Step 3
Place granola into a food processor and pulse until a meal texture comes together.
Step 4
Place granola mixture in a bowl and add pecans, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Mix until combined and spread granola/pecan mixture evenly over sweet potatoes.
Step 5
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until bubbly
Serving
Look, there are two types of people at a thanksgiving meal. One, people who pile their plate high with all the fixings, one on top of the other, and two, people who meticulously place each item in their distinct quadrants of their plate making sure nothing touches. This thanksgiving, I'll be combining this casserole with everything!
ENJOY!
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