Holiday And Party Sweet Potatoes
A festive sweet potato casserole loaded with pineapple, bananas, raisins, and warm spices, topped with marshmallows and pecans—perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes (about 3 to 3 1/2 lb.) ⓘ
- 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. allspice ⓘ
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/2 lemon, sliced
- 1/2 orange, sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dark raisins ⓘ
- 1 cup dark brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin orange segments, drained ⓘ
- 2 firm bananas, peeled and sliced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans ⓘ
- 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows ⓘ
Instructions
- Wash sweet potatoes and place in a 4-quart Dutch oven. Cover with water and cook over medium heat until tender.
- Drain juice from the pineapple chunks.
- Pour pineapple juice into a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, raisins, lemon and orange slices, brown sugar, and butter.
- Stir to blend ingredients thoroughly and cook until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly.
- Remove lemon and orange slices from the spiced juice.
- When sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel and slice them.
- Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish with some of the sliced sweet potatoes.
- Pour some of the spiced juice over the potatoes.
- Add remaining sweet potatoes, mandarin orange segments, pineapple chunks, and sliced bananas.
- Pour remaining spiced juice and raisins on top.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the dish.
- Top with miniature marshmallows.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven until marshmallows melt and turn golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract to the spiced juice. If you want a slightly healthier alternative, you can substitute half of the dark brown sugar with maple syrup or honey. Additionally, using fresh pineapple instead of canned can enhance the dish's freshness. Make sure not to overcrowd the baking dish to ensure even cooking and browning of the marshmallows.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is perfect for holiday gatherings and pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or ham. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. You can also offer it as a dessert option, as the sweetness is reminiscent of a dessert; it would pair well with Coconut Cream Pie(One Pie) for variety.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for a quicker option, but be cautious not to overheat, as it may affect the texture of the marshmallows.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday And Party Sweet Potatoes contains roughly 448 calories, with 6g protein, 91g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (45% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (35% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin A. It also contributes 10g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sweet potatoes and spiced juice a day in advance. Assemble the dish, but wait to add the marshmallows until you're ready to bake. Store it covered in the refrigerator, and add the marshmallows before baking to achieve that golden brown topping.
What can I substitute for the raisins?
If you prefer a different dried fruit, you can substitute raisins with dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots for a tangy twist. Both options will add a nice flavor contrast to the sweet potatoes and complement the spices well.
Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! If you have allergies or simply prefer another flavor, walnuts or slivered almonds can be excellent substitutes for pecans. They will add a delightful crunch and a slightly different taste profile to the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).