Description
Cranberry Apple Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes are a delicious and festive holiday side dish combining the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with a savory blend of sautéed apples, cranberries, warm spices, and a touch of maple syrup. This easy recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas, naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and sure to impress your guests with its vibrant colors and comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small apple, finely diced
- ½ cup fresh or dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt to taste
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Roast Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly, then pierce them a few times with a fork to allow steam to escape. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 45–55 minutes until they are fork-tender.
- Sauté Apples and Cranberries: While the sweet potatoes bake, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced apple and sauté for 3–4 minutes until it becomes slightly softened. Stir in the cranberries and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, then set the mixture aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Sweet Potato Flesh: Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice each one in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh into a mixing bowl, leaving a thin layer inside the skin to maintain its structure.
- Mash and Mix: Mash the sweet potato flesh with the butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and creamy. Fold in the apple-cranberry mixture along with the chopped pecans if you’re using them.
- Fill and Bake Again: Spoon the sweet potato mixture back into the skins, mounding it slightly. Arrange the filled sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and return to the oven for 15–20 minutes until the filling is heated through and lightly golden on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary if desired, and serve the twice baked sweet potatoes warm for a perfect holiday side dish.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated just before serving for convenience.
- Perfect addition to Thanksgiving or Christmas meals.
- Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, suitable for various dietary needs.
- Optional pecans add a nice crunch but can be omitted for a nut-free version.
