Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
These Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes are a delightful fall-inspired side dish featuring creamy sweet potatoes filled with a vibrant mix of fresh cranberries, crisp apples, brown sugar, and warm cinnamon. Baked twice to achieve a luscious, caramelized topping, this recipe combines natural sweetness with tart and spicy notes for a comforting and colorful addition to any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
Fruit and Sweeteners
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Spices and Fats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (a pinch)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Place them directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes until tender.
- Make the Filling: Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice each in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh into a bowl, leaving approximately a 1/4 inch thick shell to keep the skins sturdy for filling.
- Mix Ingredients Together: To the bowl with sweet potato flesh, add the chopped apples, fresh cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, unsalted butter, and salt. Mash the ingredients together using a fork until well combined but still slightly chunky to retain texture.
- Fill the Sweet Potato Skins: Spoon generous amounts of the filling mixture back into each hollowed sweet potato skin. Pack lightly to prevent the filling from spilling over during the second bake.
- Bake Again: Place the filled sweet potatoes in the oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until heated through and the tops are slightly caramelized. The cranberries will burst, adding moisture and vibrant flavor to the dish.
Notes
- Use firm, unblemished sweet potatoes for even baking.
- If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen cranberries can be used and do not need to be thawed before mixing.
- Choose tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or sweet-crisp varieties like Honeycrisp for balanced flavor and texture.
- Do not overfill the skins to avoid overflow during baking.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats or as a vegetarian main course.
Keywords: Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry, apples, baked sweet potatoes, fall side dish, vegetarian side
