These Praline Sweet Potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal, especially around Thanksgiving or Christmas. With their rich, sweet flavor and crunchy, nutty topping, these sweet potatoes will be a quick dinner favorite. It’s hard to resist the combination of soft, mashed sweet potatoes and a rich praline topping cooked with brown sugar, butter, and nuts. This recipe pairs savory flavors with sweet ones to create a sweet-like side that goes well with any roasted meat, turkey to gammon.
Ingredients for Praline Sweet Potatoes.
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients;
For the sweet potato base:
- Four giant sweet potatoes.
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, light or dark.
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
- For the praline topping, season with salt to taste.
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for another flavor
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, light or dark
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Preparation Instructions:
- Prepare the sweet potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes of sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Over medium-high heat, bring the water to a boil. When the water reaches a boil, turn off the heat and continue to cook the sweet potatoes for another 15-20 minutes until they become fork-tender. Remove the water and transfer the sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: Mix the butter, brown sugar, heavy cream (or milk), cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt in with the still-warm potatoes. Using a potato masher or a hand mixer, mash sweet potatoes until smooth and creamy. Taste mixture, adding salt or sugar to taste. When the sweet potatoes are well mashed, transfer them to a prepared baking dish (9×13 is ideal).
- To make the praline topping, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Let the liquid simmer for about 3-4 minutes, stirring every few seconds, until it thickens slightly. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the vanilla extract and chopped pecans. The mixture should be glossy and slightly sticky, great to spread over mashed sweet potatoes.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread praline topping evenly over mashed sweet potatoes, ensuring that every inch is covered. If using, spread pecan mixture lightly with a spoon for an even layer. As it bakes, the topping will melt over it and make for a gorgeous, sticky crust that’s shot through with the taste of caramel.
- Bake the Praline Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the oven is warmed, set the baking dish containing the sweet potatoes in the centre. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbling. If you want a more crunchy topping, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes towards the end. Just be careful not to roast the pecans.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Let the Praline Sweet Potatoes cool for a few minutes before serving. This is very versatile and can be served with any one of your favorite Christmas main courses including roasted turkey, glazed gammon or prime rib. It would also complement any family dinner or potluck very well. The combination of creamy sweet potatoes with crunchy, caramelized nuts hits the ideal balance of flavour and texture.
Alternate Praline Sweet Potatoes
- Although this recipe as of now is quite great, you can try a few tweaks to make it your very own:
- Add Marshmallows: For a more traditional Christmas twist, add small marshmallows on top of the sweet potatoes during the last few minutes of baking. They will roast up and add an additional layer of sweetness.
- Make it. To make this meal dairy-free, change butter to coconut oil or vegan butter, and using coconut milk or almond milk instead of cream.
- Add Bourbon: Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the praline topping to add warmth and class. It gives depth, richness to that food.
Conclusion
Praline Sweet Potatoes are the comfort food-either sweet, buttery, or crunchy; this is perfect for any occasion. It is not just a festive favorite but can be a year-round treat that will surely impress your family and friends. Serve it at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even a quiet family dinner; these will stand out as the centerpiece of the meal. Try this recipe and discover the lovely flavor balance that makes Praline Sweet Potatoes a classic side dish.
FAQs
What are praline sweet potatoes?
A caramelised praline sauce, usually made with butter, brown sugar, pecans, and vanilla, is poured over roasted sweet potatoes to create a rich, sweet, and nutty side dish known as praline sweet potatoes.
How do you make praline sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes can be boiled or roasted until they are soft to make praline sweet potatoes. Toss in chopped pecans after melting butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. After adding the mixture to the potatoes, bake them until they are bubbling and brown.
Can I use yams instead of sweet potatoes for praline potatoes?
Indeed, yams can be used in place of sweet potatoes in praline recipes. The taste and texture of sweet potatoes and yams are similar, although yams are often starchier. Both kinds benefit greatly from the praline topping.
