← Replies in Sweet Potato Casserole {Thanksgiving Side Dish} Recipe

I had the same trouble when I first started making this recipe. Then a couple years ago I started adding the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl and whisking them to blend first. Then I would add the butter in small batches afterwards. I use a stick of butter (not soft) and prepare diced pieces in a small bowl to the side. I then distribute small portions of the diced butter pieces at a time across the dry ingredients. Then using a pastry cutter, I gently work the butter into the dry ingredients. Once a batch of butter is worked in, I'd add more butter pieces, and repeat until I had all the butter added. Adding the butter in small dices allows you to work up small sections of "crumbles" in your bowl. Instead of mixing with a spoon where you get more of a thick paste. As you work them up, try to keep the dryer ingredients in the center of the bowl. And be sure to use a larger bowl for this! Then add the pecans to the topping in smaller batches. I use a fork (instead of a spoon) to basically fold the pecans into the crumble mixture. I know it takes a little longer this way but it does make a better, more easy to apply, crumble mixture! And it's easier to move the crumbles around on top of the casserole using a fork so you get a more even coverage.