Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray Recipe
This Cranberry Apple Sweet Potatoes recipe combines tender baked sweet potatoes with tart cranberries and crisp apples, all coated in a warm, spiced maple syrup glaze. It’s a vibrant and comforting side dish perfect for holiday dinners or any cozy meal, with the option to add crunchy nuts for extra texture.
- Author: Dana
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5-15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables & Fruits
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 6 cups)
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Nuts (Optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Sauce & Spices
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup melted butter (or coconut oil for a vegan option)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of ground cloves (optional)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prep Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cube the sweet potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Prep Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into pieces similar in size to the sweet potatoes for balanced texture.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cubed sweet potatoes, chopped apples, cranberries, and nuts if using, ensuring an even mix.
- Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together maple syrup, melted butter or coconut oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and cloves to create a flavorful glaze.
- Pour and Toss: Pour the sauce over the fruit and vegetable mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread the sweet potato mixture in an even layer in the prepared dish.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes to begin softening the sweet potatoes.
- Uncover and Bake Longer: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Let it Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for a few minutes to settle the flavors.
- Serve Warm: Serve the Cranberry Apple Sweet Potatoes warm as a comforting and delicious side dish.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in microwave or oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Notes
- For a vegan option, substitute melted butter with coconut oil.
- Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are preferred for their tartness, but any favorite apple variety works.
- Lightly toasting nuts before adding will enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for extra warmth and a subtle kick.
- A tablespoon of orange zest or juice can brighten and elevate the dish’s flavors.
- Experiment with different nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pistachios for varied texture and taste.
- Incorporate dried fruits such as dried cranberries, raisins, or apricots for added sweetness and chewiness.
- You can assemble the dish in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: cranberry sweet potatoes, apple sweet potato bake, holiday side dish, baked sweet potatoes with cranberries, vegan sweet potato recipe, fall recipes