Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes are a delicious and festive Thanksgiving side dish featuring tender roasted sweet potatoes filled with a sweet and spiced mixture of caramelized apples, cranberries, and pecans. This easy recipe combines warm fall flavors with a delightful texture, making it a much better alternative to traditional casseroles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
Filling
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Roast Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly and dry them completely. Place the sweet potatoes in a baking dish and prick them all over with a fork to allow steam to escape. Roast in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork.
- Prepare the Filling: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the diced apples, dried cranberries, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and coconut sugar. Sauté the mixture for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become tender and the sugar melts into a caramelized sauce. Stir in the chopped pecans and sauté for an additional minute to incorporate the nuts and warm them slightly.
- Assemble and Bake: Once the sweet potatoes are fully roasted, carefully cut them open lengthwise and fluff the interior flesh with a fork to create a soft bed for the filling. Spoon the warm apple and cranberry filling evenly on top of each sweet potato. Return the stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven and bake at 425°F for an additional 10 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and heated through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the cranberry apple twice-baked sweet potatoes warm. Enjoy this flavorful and comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with any holiday meal.
Notes
- You can substitute brown sugar for coconut sugar if preferred.
- Use firm apples such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best texture.
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or replace with sunflower seeds.
- Make sure to prick the sweet potatoes well before baking to prevent bursting.
- These can be prepared ahead and reheated before serving.