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Why do Americans put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole?

Sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows has become a staple side dish at many American holiday meals, particularly at Thanksgiving and Christmas. This sweet and creamy dish is beloved by many, yet the tradition of putting marshmallows on top perplexes some people unfamiliar with American cuisine. So how did this unique combination come about and why has it endured as a cherished holiday favorite?

The History of Sweet Potato Casserole

The earliest versions of sweet potato casserole likely originated in the southern United States in the late 19th or early 20th century. Sweet potatoes were a common and inexpensive crop grown in the South, and resourceful cooks experimented with different ways to prepare them. Some of the earliest recipes for sweet potato casserole call for mashing boiled sweet potatoes with butter, milk or cream, sugar, spices, and eggs. This mixture was then baked into a rich, creamy pudding-like dish and served warm as a side.

In the 1920s and 1930s, recipes for sweet potato casserole topped with pecans or brown sugar streusel started appearing in cookbooks and magazines. The pecans added crunch while the streusel provided sweetness and texture. These early versions never contained marshmallows. It wasn’t until the 1950s that recipes combining sweet potato casserole with miniature marshmallows began showing up.

The Origins of Marshmallows on Sweet Potato Casserole

Exactly who first thought to put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole remains a mystery. However, by the 1950s, marshmallows had become an increasingly common ingredient in American desserts, salads, candies and baked goods. Miniature marshmallows developed by the KraftFoods company in 1948 were especially popular, as their small size made them perfect for mixing into dishes. Recipes for sweet potato casserole topped with a layer of these tiny marshmallows began appearing in community cookbooks, magazine articles, and advertisements throughout the 1950s and 60s.

The 1955 cookbook “Adventures in Cooking” by the Knox Gelatine company contains one of the earliest published recipes combining marshmallows with sweet potato casserole. In the recipe, canned sweet potatoes are mixed into a basic custard then topped with buttered breadcrumbs and marshmallows. A 1962 recipe in McCall’s magazine is even more similar to modern versions, incorporating mashed fresh sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, eggs, milk, spices, orange juice and a marshmallow topping.

Why Marshmallows Pair Well with Sweet Potatoes

Marshmallows likely became a popular topping for sweet potato casserole for several reasons:

  • Sweet flavor – The sweetness of marshmallows balances the natural earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes.
  • Texture contrast – Soft, smooth marshmallows provide an interesting contrast to the dense, creamy sweet potato base.
  • Toasty browning – When baked, marshmallows brown and caramelize, providing appealing texture and flavor.
  • Convenience – Mini marshmallows required no prep and could simply be sprinkled on top before baking.
  • Affordability – Marshmallows were an inexpensive way to add sweetness, moisture and flavor.
  • Popularity – Marshmallows were present in many American homes and their use was promoted by brands like Kraft.

The combinations of flavors and textures made marshmallow topping a crowd-pleasing addition to the classic sweet potato casserole.

How Sweet Potato Casserole Became a Holiday Staple

While experimenting with marshmallow toppings, recipes for sweet potato casserole also began shifting from a side dish to a dessert. By adding more sugar, eggs, and flavorings they became richer and sweeter. As the dish grew in popularity, two American holidays became closely associated with sweet potato casserole:

Thanksgiving

In the 1940s, sweet potato casserole started appearing at Thanksgiving meals, as Americans sought new dishes to add to their holiday spreads. Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows proved an ideal addition for several reasons:

  • It used seasonal ingredients – Sweet potatoes hit peak season in November.
  • It felt festive – The sweetness and novelty made it feel special.
  • It complemented other dishes – The blend of sweet and creamy balanced out savory, salty dishes like turkey and stuffing.
  • It could be prepared ahead – The casserole could be assembled and chilled prior to baking.
  • It pleased kids – Kids enjoyed the sweet marshmallow topping.

Including sweet potato casserole allowed cooks to expand the Thanksgiving menu and delight guests with something new. Published Thanksgiving guides and promotional recipe booklets further increased its popularity at holiday meals. By the 1960s, it had become a cherished Thanksgiving tradition in many households.

Christmas

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows also found a place at Christmas dinner. Fancier versions transformed it into a holiday sideboard showpiece by topping it with red and green maraschino cherries or piping the marshmallow topping into decorative peaks. The dish provided a refreshing change from heavier holiday fare and the bright orange sweet potatoes and white marshmallow topping evoked the festive colors of the season.

As an inexpensive dish to make with readily available ingredients, sweet potato casserole fit well with Christmas dinner’s blend of nostalgic favorites and innovative new recipes. The ritual of preparing favorite holiday foods helps cement family traditions, so passing along treasured recipes – including marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole – has helped this dish maintain popularity over generations.

The Evolution of Sweet Potato Casserole

While sweet potato casserole with marshmallows reached the height of popularity in the 1950s through the 1980s, it continues to be a nostalgic holiday favorite today. The dish has evolved over the years:

Use of Different Sweet Potatoes

Earlier versions relied on canned sweet potatoes. Later recipes used fresh sweet potatoes, especially once these became available year-round. Some modern cooks also experiment with garnet and Asian sweet varieties.

New Flavor Profiles

Spices, herbs, citrus, spirits, and alternative sweeteners have expanded the flavor profiles beyond basic brown sugar and vanilla. Options like pecans, toasted oats, coconut, candied ginger, or streusel toppings provide crunch without marshmallows.

Lighter Recipes

With heightened nutrition awareness, some lighter recipes reduce butter, cream, and eggs. Swapping sweet potato for pumpkin puree also lowers the calorie count. Still, most cooks stick with indulgent classic versions for holidays.

From Homemade to Store-bought

Convenience products like canned sweet potato puree, tubbed whipped topping, and frozen casseroles minimize effort while maintaining nostalgia. However, homemade dishes cooked from scratch retain the most sentimental appeal.

New Holiday Traditions

While Thanksgiving and Christmas remain tied to sweet potato casserole in American culture, the dish also now appears at Easter meals, Friendsgiving gatherings, and other holidays where people seek nostalgic foods.

The Enduring Popularity of Sweet Potato Casserole

Despite changes over the years, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows has retained its status as a cherished American holiday dish. Here are some reasons for its lasting popularity:

Nostalgia and Tradition

For many American families, marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole is intricately woven into holiday rituals and memories. Serving the dish evokes nostalgia and reinforces family traditions.

Kid-Friendly Appeal

Both picky and adventurous eaters tend to enjoy this dish, since kids are drawn to the sweet marshmallow topping. Passing family food traditions to the next generation helps perpetuate them.

Complement to Other Holiday Foods

The blend of creamy, sweet, and crunchy textures balances out the savory, salty, herby flavors prominent at many holiday meals. It offers variety without totally departing from tradition.

Simplicity of Preparation

While scratch-made versions require some effort, convenience products and shortcuts make assembling this dish easy enough for even novice holiday cooks.

Visual Appeal

The fluffy white marshmallow topping perfectly browned under the broiler or torched to golden caramelization makes for an eye-catching dish to serve guests.

Comfort Food Appeal

The sweet flavors and soft textures soothe as a comforting treat amid the lavish abundance of celebratory meals.

For all these reasons, marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole has earned an enduring place at American holiday tables and in our cultural food traditions. The unique pairing captures nostalgia for cherished family rituals and the simple joy of a favorite comfort food. This history and appeal explain why Americans continue to eagerly relish this holiday specialty.

Conclusion

Marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole has become an iconic American holiday dish thanks to its eclectic blend of flavors, textures, and sensations. Born from experiments mixing traditional southern sweet potatoes with trendy marshmallows, it surged in popularity as a festive and family-friendly Thanksgiving and Christmas side. Its nostalgic appeal and ability to complement other holiday foods has allowed it to persist over generations as a staple at celebratory meals. While updated versions provide lighter options, most families continue to embrace the indulgent, time-honored version covered in melted marshmallows. Sweet potato casserole satisfaction coupled with its inherent connection to fond holiday memories will likely ensure marshmallows remain the perfect partner to sweet potatoes on American tables for years to come.