Story
Sweet Potato Casserole
Kendall McCullough, pastry supervisor at the Dogwood, brought a family-favorite recipe to the Dogwood kitchen to share a special dessert with guests. Her Sweet Potato Casserole, which she serves with rosemary gelato, is a dish her family holds dear, continuing a legacy from a matriarch in their family.
From Kendall: “This recipe was created by Hilton Vice Hammond who is my great grandmother. She was born in 1920 and lived to be 99 years old. A majority of my memories with her involve being in the kitchen surrounded with family, all waiting eagerly for her to pull dishes out of the gas oven. Her oven is the closest thing to magic that I’ve experienced in my life — besides her cooking itself. Sweet potato casserole was always reserved for holidays and family gatherings for us, quickly becoming the cornerstone of comfort. Even though she has passed, the happiness this recipe brings lives on. I feel so grateful to be able to share her legacy with so many people while working at Blackberry Farm. I hope this recipe fills the tables and hearts of many homes as it has done for my family for so many years.”
Sweet Potato Filling
- 3 cups cooked sweet potato
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake the sweet potatoes until a fork can pass through easily. You can also use canned yams if desired. Mash cooked potatoes until smooth. Add all ingredients into a bowl or KitchenAid mixer, and mix until combined. Pour into a greased 9x11” casserole dish or distribute into greased ramekins, filling 2/3 full. Top with brown sugar pecan topping.
Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ⅔ cups melted butter
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (You can substitute gluten free flour.)
Combine ingredients in a bowl, and combine until the mixture is sandy. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the sweet potato filling and lightly press.
To make:
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes to an hour. This recipe yields one casserole or six to eight ramekins, depending on size.
Top with your favorite ice cream, and enjoy!
