Sweet Potato Delight

Years ago, when we lived in the Azores, a dear friend gave me this recipe for sweet potato delight lovingly passed down from her mom. I’ve made this every year for Thanksgiving for probably the last 15 years and it’s still one of our favorites!!

This sweet potato delight is super easy to make and fits well into the Thanksgiving “oven timeline” requiring only 30 minutes in the oven. Heads up, the topping makes a lot, more than we prefer, so I usually make up the whole recipe then use half of it at Thanksgiving, freeze the remaining topping and use the rest up at Christmas! Scroll to the bottom for crockpot instructions if you’re short on oven space.

Preheat oven to 350* F. Pull 2 sticks of butter from the fridge to soften.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled and mashed (instructions below) (about 5 large sweet potatoes)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (less is better)
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter

For the Topping:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup gluten-free flour (we prefer Mama’s Coconut Blend)
• 1/16 tsp xanthan gum (omit if using an all purpose flour)
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/3 cup butter, softened

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the sweet potatoes. Boil until tender when pierced with a fork. Remove sweet potatoes from water. When cool enough to handle, the skins should easily slip right off. Mash with a fork to desired consistency, we like to leave a little chunky.
2. Mix all ingredients together, except the topping. Pour into buttered casserole dish.
3. Mix topping with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle desired amount over casserole. (We only use half and save the other half in the freezer for the next time we make this dish.)
4. Bake at 350* F for 30 minutes or until browned and lightly bubbly. Enjoy!

Crockpot: Short on oven space or traveling?

Rinse the potatoes, do not dry off, this moisture will help the potatoes cook properly in the crockpot. Cook the sweet potatoes in the crockpot on high for 3.5 to 4 hours. Potatoes are done when a fork can easily be inserted into the potato. When done mash the potatoes with a fork, mix in the other ingredients, then top with the topping mixture and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes. It won’t be crispy and browned but it will still be delicious!

Looking for more gluten-free Thanksgiving dishes? Here are a few of our favorites: