If you’re looking to jazz up your usual sweet potato routine, the Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe is a delightful choice that combines cozy fall flavors in the most comforting way. This dish transforms ordinary sweet potatoes into a luscious, fruity, and slightly tangy side that’s bursting with the natural sweetness of apples and cranberries, perfectly spiced with cinnamon and sweetness from brown sugar. Whether you’re cooking for a holiday feast or a weeknight dinner, these twice-baked potatoes bring warmth and charm that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple, but every ingredient plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes to the tart pop of fresh cranberries, each element balances beautifully in this dish.
- 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes: The star of the show, offering a creamy base once baked and scooped.
- 1 cup fresh cranberries: Adds vibrant color and a tangy bite that complements the sweetness.
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp): Their crispness and gentle tartness provide a lovely texture contrast.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness that enhances the orchard flavors.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Warms the dish with a cozy, fragrant spice.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps meld the flavors together smoothly.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Essential to balance the sweetness and heighten all the flavors.
- Fresh parsley for garnish: A pop of green freshness to brighten the final presentation.
How to Make Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, setting the stage for perfectly tender sweet potatoes. Preparing the oven ahead ensures everything cooks evenly and beautifully.
Step 2: Bake the Sweet Potatoes
Wash your sweet potatoes thoroughly, then place them on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until they are soft enough to easily pierce with a fork—this step is key for that creamy texture inside.
Step 3: Mix the Filling
While the potatoes bake, combine chopped apples, fresh cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter in a bowl. Give the mixture a gentle mash to blend the sweet, tart, and buttery notes harmoniously while still keeping some texture.
Step 4: Scoop the Potato Flesh
Once your sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, carefully slice each one lengthwise and scoop out some of the flesh into your cranberry and apple mixture. This melding of soft potato with the fruity filling is what makes this Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe so irresistibly cozy.
Step 5: Stuff and Refill
Mix everything together thoroughly, then spoon the filling generously back into the sweet potato skins. This step lets the flavors mingle further, creating a luscious, layered bite.
Step 6: Bake Again to Finish
Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and slide your stuffed potatoes back in to bake for another 15 to 20 minutes. This final bake warms everything through and lets the filling set, making it easy to serve and enjoy.
How to Serve Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the potatoes just before serving for a fresh, herbaceous kick and an eye-catching splash of green. The garnish adds a lovely contrast to the rich, warm colors of the dish.
Side Dishes
These twice-baked sweet potatoes pair wonderfully with roasted turkey or chicken, sautéed greens, or a crisp autumn salad. The combination makes for a balanced meal that’s both hearty and vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe in mini sweet potato boats for an elegant appetizer or party side. Alternatively, top with a dollop of vanilla yogurt or crème fraîche to add a creamy tang that complements the fruity warmth.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any uneaten twice-baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They keep their flavors well and can be a wonderful ready-to-go side for busy days.
Freezing
If you want to save them longer, wrap each stuffed potato tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to two months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, place the potatoes on a baking sheet and warm in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 15 to 20 minutes until hot all the way through. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work well if fresh aren’t available. Just thaw them slightly and drain any excess liquid before mixing to avoid making the filling too watery.
What type of apples work best?
Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are the preferred choices because of their balance between tartness and sweetness, which complements the cranberries perfectly in this recipe.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based alternative or olive oil to keep the creamy texture without dairy.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Can I add nuts for extra texture?
Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts can add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor—stir them into the filling before baking.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe, it’s sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen rotation. The way the cranberries and apples mingle with the sweet potato’s creaminess is pure magic—comfort food that feels special and vibrant all at once. Don’t hesitate to share this cozy delight with friends and family; it’s bound to bring smiles to the table.
Print
Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe offers a delightful combination of sweet and tart flavors, featuring tender baked sweet potatoes filled with a spiced mixture of fresh cranberries, apples, brown sugar, and butter. Perfect as a comforting side dish during fall and winter meals.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
Filling
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes.
- Bake sweet potatoes: Place washed sweet potatoes on a lined baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Prepare the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, fresh cranberries, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and unsalted butter. Mash the mixture lightly to blend the ingredients while maintaining some texture.
- Scoop sweet potato flesh: Once the sweet potatoes are baked, cut them in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out some of the flesh into the bowl with the prepared filling mixture.
- Fill the potato skins: Mix the scooped sweet potato flesh thoroughly with the cranberry and apple filling, then spoon this mixture back into the potato skins evenly.
- Bake again: Return the filled sweet potatoes to the oven, this time set at 350°F (175°C), and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the filling is heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm as a flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil.
- Make sure the sweet potatoes are fully cooked and tender before scooping to ensure smooth filling.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Adjust brown sugar quantity to taste depending on your preferred sweetness level.
