Name: Sweet Potato Casserole with Brandy
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 5-6 large sweet potatoes ((preferably about 4 pounds total)); 2 tsp vanilla extract; ½ cup of light brown sugar; 1 tsp of ground cinnamon; 3 Tbsp salted butter; 4 Tbsp brandy liqueur; ¼ cup of unsalted butter ((melted)); ½ cup of light brown sugar; ⅓ cup flour; 1 tsp of ground cinnamon; ¼-½ cup of crushed pecans; 1 tablespoon salted butter (softened)

Jump to Recipe

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Brandy takes the classic Thanksgiving side dish and gives it a little grown-up upgrade. Creamy sweet potatoes are flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a splash of brandy, then finished with a buttery pecan crumble. It’s sweet, rich, and just fancy enough to impress everyone at the table—without requiring you to spend Thanksgiving pretending you’re Martha Stewart.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Stovetop Time: 25–30 minutes
Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes

Sweet Potato Filling

5-6 large sweet potatoes (preferably about 4 pounds total)
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup of light brown sugar
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
3 Tbsp salted butter
4 Tbsp brandy liqueur

Pecan Topping

¼ cup of unsalted butter (melted)
½ cup of light brown sugar
⅓ cup flour
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
¼–½ cup chopped pecans

For the Baking Dish

1 tablespoon salted butter, softened

sweet potatoes, vanilla extract, light brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salted and unsalted butter, brandy and crushed pecans in a blue casserole dish on a wooden table.

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step 1: Wash, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into chunks. Place them in a large pot and add enough water to cover them.

Step 2: Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Drain well and return them to the pot.

washed, peeled and cut sweet potatoes in a black bowl on orange oven hits on a table.

sweet potatoes in boiling water in a black large pot on the stove.

Step 3: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of softened salted butter.

Step 4: Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, remaining salted butter, vanilla and brandy designated for the filling to the cooked sweet potatoes. Mash until smooth. You can also use an electric hand mixer.

butter, spices and sweet potatoes in a large black pot on the counter

mashing sweet potatoes in a large black pot on the counter

Step 5: Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish.

Mashed sweet potatoes in a blue casserole dish on the counter

Step 6: Combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped pecans, and melted unsalted butter in a medium-sized bowl. Mix with a fork until it forms a crumbly topping. Sprinkle it evenly over the sweet potato filling.

butter, flour, brown sugar in a small glass bowl on a cutting board on the counter.

brown sugar topping being mixed with a fork in a small glass bowl on a brown cutting board on the counter

brown sugar topping on top of sweet potatoes in a blue casserole dish on the counter.

Step 7: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the filling is hot and the topping is lightly browned. Serve warm.

🍋 Simply Made Suggestions and Swaps

Make it without alcohol. Replace the brandy with orange juice or apple cider.
Adjust the pecans. Use anywhere from ¼ to ½ cup, depending on how much crunch you prefer.
Mash it your way. Use a potato masher for a more rustic texture or an electric mixer for a smoother filling.

Can I Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! Prepare the sweet potato filling as directed and spread it evenly in the greased casserole dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to two days. Prepare the brown sugar and pecan topping separately and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator while the oven preheats. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F until the filling is mostly heated through. Remove the foil, sprinkle the crumble evenly over the filling and continue baking uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the center is hot and the topping is lightly browned.

🍠 Before You Go…

Planning your Thanksgiving menu? Try our Apricot Glazed Carrots for another easy side dish that belongs next to the turkey.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Brandy

Enjoy our twist on this American classic with the addition of brandy.

Tara

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 10

Servings

Equipment

potato masher
electric hand mixer
9-by-13-inch casserole dish