Description
Sweet potato magic emerges with maple pecan sweet potatoes, a comforting side dish blending caramelized roots and rich nutty crunch. Southern charm meets seasonal warmth, inviting you to savor each delectable forkful of this irresistible holiday classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup salted butter
Sweeteners and Sauces:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns golden brown and develops a nutty aroma, approximately 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and whisk in maple extract, water, brown sugar, warming spices, and caramel sauce. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking dish with non-stick spray. Arrange potato slices in overlapping layers to create an even, compact base.
- Gently cascade the infused maple butter sauce over the layered potatoes, ensuring complete and uniform coverage. Shield the dish with aluminum foil to trap moisture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until potatoes become fork-tender and edges turn slightly crisp.
- While potatoes are baking, create candied pecans by heating maple syrup and granulated sugar until they transform into a bubbling, amber-colored mixture.
- Fold pecans into the caramelized syrup, continuously stirring for 8 minutes to achieve a glossy, crisp coating.
- Transfer pecans to parchment paper, allowing them to cool and solidify into a crunchy topping.
- Once potatoes are done, garnish with the candied pecans and a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately while warm and aromatic.
Notes
- Opt for unsalted butter to control salt levels and prevent overly salty sauce.
- Brown butter slowly and watch carefully to avoid burning, stirring consistently for even caramelization.
- Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for best texture and absorption of maple sauce.
- Customize recipe for dietary needs by substituting dairy butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternatives.
- Create make-ahead option by preparing candied pecans and sauce one day prior to reduce day-of cooking stress.
- Consider adding fresh thyme or rosemary for extra herbal complexity in the maple sauce.
- Use pure maple syrup for richer, more authentic flavor compared to artificial maple-flavored syrups.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 397 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 244 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg