Ingredients
- 6-7 large sweet potatoes: Roasted to enhance their natural sweetness.
- 1 cup milk: Helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
- 1/3 cup brown sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: For richness and flavor in the potato mixture.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon: Provides warmth and spice.
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg: Complements the cinnamon with its sweet and nutty flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional): Adds a subtle, spicy kick.
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice: Enhances the overall spice profile.
Topping:
- 3/4 cup caramel sauce: For a gooey, sweet topping.
- 3/4 cup pretzels (crushed, optional): Adds a salty crunch, contrasting the sweetness.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: For additional sweetness and to help the topping caramelize.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: Helps bind the topping ingredients and adds richness.
- Sea salt: To taste, enhances the sweet-savory flavor contrast.
Preparation
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- If you haven’t already, roast the sweet potatoes until tender. Once cool, peel them and place the flesh in a large mixing bowl.
- Mash the Potatoes:
- Add the milk, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger (if using), and allspice to the bowl with the sweet potatoes.
- Mash everything together until the potatoes are smooth and the ingredients are well combined. Adjust spices or sweetness to taste.
- Prepare the Casserole Base:
- Transfer the sweet potato mixture to the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Make the Topping:
- In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar and whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add the crushed pretzels into the saucepan and stir to coat them in the butter-sugar mixture.
- Evenly pour this pretzel mixture over the sweet potato base. Drizzle the caramel sauce on top, and then sprinkle a light dusting of sea salt over everything.
- Bake the Casserole:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and golden.
- Serving:
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the topping to set slightly.
- Serve hot as a delightful side dish, perfect for festive occasions or a special weekend dinner.
Tips
- Sweet Potato Prep: For an even richer flavor, consider cooking the sweet potatoes in the oven rather than boiling them, as roasting can enhance their natural sugars.
- Caramel Sauce: Homemade caramel sauce can be used for an even more decadent topping, or a high-quality store-bought version for convenience.
- Pretzels: Using a mix of whole and crushed pretzels can add varying textures to the topping, making each bite interesting.
Enjoy your deliciously unique Salted Caramel Pretzel Sweet Potato Casserole!
