Best Holiday Side Dishes #SundaySupper...Featuring Southern Praline Sweet Potato Casserole

I think I'm in a bit of denial that the holiday season is fast approaching...Thanksgiving is somehow literally around the corner! If you're looking for some fresh new side dishes to serve at your upcoming holiday feast, the #SundaySupper family is coming to your rescue today. Our hostess for today's Best Holiday Side Dishes is Caroline from Caroline’s Cooking. I love Thanksgiving...growing up, we always had a big Southern-style meal at my grandparents' house with all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sweet potatoes topped with gooey melted marshmallows were usually on the menu back then. To this day, I love sweet potatoes...but I make mine a little bit different.

My Southern Praline Sweet Potato Casserole is easy to make and bursting with the signature flavors of the South. A creamy, vibrant orange sweet potato base is flavored with maple syrup, orange liqueur, and pumpkin pie spice. Then, it's topped with a crumbly praline-flavored streusel that's flavored with more pumpkin pie spice and pecans. I've been making this casserole for years -- it's my personal riff on a recipe I first saw in Cooking Light magazine. Everyone who tries it goes totally nuts for it! As a bonus, it can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated overnight -- saving you valuable time during the hectic holidays.

Southern Praline Sweet Potato 

Casserole

adapted from Cooking Light

Ingredients (makes 6 servings):

• 3 lbs. sweet potatoes -- approximately 3 large sweet potatoes
• 5-ounces evaporated milk (one small can)
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

For the praline streusel:

• 1 cup all-purpose baking mix
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 chopped chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 tbs. butter softened in the microwave for 30 seconds

Directions:

Step 1: Bake the sweet potatoes at 375 until softened, approximately 1.5 hours. Cool slightly and scoop the inside of the sweet potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Then, add the evaporated milk, egg, maple syrup, orange liqueur, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir with a spatula until all of the ingredients are incorporated into a smooth puree. Evenly spoon into an 8x8 pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.

Step 2: Make the praline streusel. Add the baking mix, pumpkin pie spice, pecans, brown sugar, and butter to a mixing bowl. Combine with a fork until the ingredients form a crumbly mixture. Evenly sprinkle the praline streusel on top of the sweet potato mixture.

Step 3: Bake the casserole in a 375 oven until the praline streusel is golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving. 

This comforting casserole is so good! The praline streusel topping bakes up similar to a cookie, and the sweet potatoes are silky smooth. I love the flavors of maple syrup and orange liqueur in the sweet potatoes...and the warmth from the pumpkin pie spice permeates every bite. This casserole is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu -- it's a true bite of the South. I hope that you'll also take a look at all of the amazing side dishes that this week's #SundaySupper participants are sharing. There's truly something for everyone!

Fruity Side Dishes

• Cranberry Apple Relish by Recipes Food and Cooking
• Cranberry Fluff Salad by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Easy Cheesy Pineapple Bake by This is How I Cook
• Pecan Cranberry Jello Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
• Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apples by Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Other Side Dishes

• Chestnut Stuffing by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Easy Mushroom Rice Pilaf by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
• One Pot Macaroni and Cheese by A Mind “Full” Mom
• Potato Dinner Rolls by The Redhead Baker
• Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing by Life Tastes Good

Potato Side Dishes

• Gingered Sweet Potatoes by Simple and Savory
• Marmalade Glazed Sweet Potatoes by Sunday Supper Movement
• Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes by Cookin’ Mimi
• Sour Cream and Onion Smashed Red Potatoes by Food Done Light
• Southern Praline Sweet Potato Casserole by The Weekend Gourmet
• Southwestern Potato Bake by The Freshman Cook
• Stacked Sweet Potatoes by My Imperfect Kitchen
• Sweet Potatoes with Cumin Sage Butter by Cooking Chat
• Twice Baked Potato Casserole by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes by Mindy’s Cooking Obsession

Vegetable Side Dishes

• Acorn Squash and Brussel Sprout Side Dish by Caroline’s Cooking
• Bacon Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts by The Crumby Cupcake
• Braised Red Cabbage by Turnips 2 Tangerines
• Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Bake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Candied Acorn Squash by Cricket’s Confections
• Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Casserole by Food Lust People Love
• German Green Bean Salad (Bohnensalat) by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Homemade Green Bean Casserole by Family Around The Table
• Loaded Mashed Cauliflower Casserole by My Life Cookbook
• Miso Glazed Corn by NinjaBaker.com
• Pan Roasted Carrots with Apple Molasses by Palatable Pastime
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts and Cranberries by The Chef Next Door
• Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Walnut Pesto by The Hungry Goddess
• Roasted Onions with Parsley Pesto by Monica’s Table
• Roasted Parsnips with Balsamic Vinegar and Rosemary by Wholistic Woman
• Roasted Pumpkin with Rosemary and Thyme by Feeding Big
• Spicy Balsamic Roasted Vegetables by Pies and Plots
• Sweet Corn Pudding by Brunch-n-Bites

Be sure to join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter today! We tweet throughout the day, and we share recipes from all over the world!! Our lively weekly Twitter chat starts at 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, be sure to visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.