– A Warm, Comforting Southern Classic
Few desserts capture coziness like a bubbling Sweet Potato Pecan Crumble. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes, rich butter, brown sugar, and a crisp pecan topping come together in a dish that tastes like fall in every spoonful.
This recipe is rooted in Southern comfort cooking—simple ingredients transformed into a warm, buttery, lightly spiced masterpiece.
Whether you serve it for Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, potlucks, or a cozy winter night, this dish brings pure comfort and a touch of tradition to the table.
🍠 Why Sweet Potato Crumble Is So Loved
This dessert sits beautifully between a casserole and a sweet treat.
It’s:
- Creamy on the inside
- Crispy on top
- Sweet but balanced
- Budget friendly and easy to assemble
Families love serving it as a side or dessert, making it a versatile recipe worth repeating year-round.
🧾 Ingredients You Will Need
H2 – Sweet Potato Base
- 4 medium sweet potatoes (or 3 large)
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup milk or evaporated milk
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of nutmeg or allspice (optional)
- Pinch of salt
H2 – Pecan Crumble Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans (plus extra for garnish)
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
H2 – Step 1: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into chunks.
Boil in salted water 15–20 minutes until fork-tender.
Drain and mash until smooth (a few small lumps are fine).
H2 – Step 2: Prepare the Filling
In a bowl, combine:
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Melted butter
- Brown sugar
- Milk
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Salt + optional warm spices
Mix well until creamy.
The mixture should be thick and spreadable.
H2 – Step 3: Make the Crumble
In another bowl, stir flour and brown sugar.
Cut in cold butter using a fork or fingertips until mixture forms crumbs.
Stir in pecans.
(Pro tip: place topping in fridge for a few minutes to keep butter firm—it crisps better.)
H2 – Step 4: Assemble
Spread sweet potato filling into a buttered baking dish.
Sprinkle crumble evenly over the top, covering every inch.
Arrange whole pecans in the center for a rustic finish.
H2 – Step 5: Bake
Bake at 350°F / 175°C for 30–35 minutes
until the topping is golden, crisp, and bubbling around the edges.
Let cool slightly before serving so the sweetness settles and layers firm gently.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Serve warm, room temperature, or slightly chilled—it’s delicious any way.
Pairs perfectly with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- A drizzle of maple syrup
- A scoop next to roasted turkey or glazed ham
It works as:
- A holiday side dish
- A comforting everyday dessert
- A potluck highlight
- A breakfast leftover treat the next day
🔁 Variations You Will Love
H2 – Marshmallow-Strewn
Add mini marshmallows in the last 10 minutes for extra gooey sweetness.
H2 – Coconut Pecan Crumble
Mix shredded coconut into topping for tropical notes.
H2 – Maple Sweet Potato
Replace brown sugar in the filling with pure maple syrup.
H2 – Nut-Free Version
Swap pecans for:
- Rolled oats
- Cornflake crumbs
- Almond flour (if tolerated)
H2 – Pumpkin Blend
Replace part of the sweet potato with pumpkin puree for a fall fusion.
💡 Tips for the Best Results
H2 – Keep Topping Cold
Cold butter = crisp crumble
Soft butter melts before it browns.
H2 – Don’t Overmix Filling
Mash gently; too much blending can make it gummy.
H2 – Choose Flavorful Sweet Potatoes
Deep orange sweet potatoes create richer, sweeter flavor.
H2 – Make Ahead Friendly
You can prepare filling and crumble separately, refrigerate, then assemble and bake later.
🧊 Storage & Reheat
H2 – Refrigerator
Store leftovers covered for up to 4 days.
H2 – Freezer
Freeze tightly sealed for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight and bake 10 minutes to crisp topping.
H2 – Reheat
Warm portions in oven or air fryer to bring topping back to life.
❤️ Why This Dish Belongs on Every Table
This crumble brings together:
- Familiar flavors
- Comforting textures
- A touch of nostalgia
- Ingredients you likely already have
It embodies the heart of home cooking—simple, warming, and meant to be shared.
From holiday feasts to ordinary evenings, it turns a humble vegetable into something spectacular.
✨ Final Thoughts
There’s a reason sweet potato pecan crumble shows up again and again at celebrations—it’s warm, delicious, and deeply comforting.
With silky mashed potatoes beneath and buttery crisp pecans above, every bite feels like a hug in food form.
Give it a try, enjoy every spoonful, and send the next recipe photo when you’re ready! 🍠🍁🤎