Name: Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 medium sweet potatoes; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 large apple, peeled and diced; 1/3 cup dried cranberries; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; Optional chopped pecans for topping

A cozy side dish that perfectly straddles the line between sweet and savory, these Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes are a holiday-worthy twist on a classic. Imagine tender roasted sweet potatoes, whipped into a silky mash with maple syrup and cinnamon, then filled back into their skins and topped with buttery spiced apples and tart cranberries. It’s a combination of textures and flavors that makes every bite pop.

Perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy dinner gathering, this recipe adds a vibrant, festive note to the table. Plus, it can be made ahead and reheated, so you can spend more time enjoying the meal and less time fussing in the kitchen.

What Kind of Sweet Potatoes Work Best?

Look for medium-sized orange-flesh sweet potatoes (often labeled as garnet or jewel yams). These varieties are naturally sweet, roast well, and hold their shape beautifully for stuffing. Try to pick ones that are uniform in size so they cook evenly.

Ingredients for the Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

4 medium sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large apple, peeled and diced
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Optional: chopped pecans for topping

Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes 2

How To Make the Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Step 1: Bake the Sweet Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce each sweet potato a few times with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until fork tender. Let them cool slightly.

Step 2: Scoop and Mash

Slice each sweet potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch border inside the skin to help hold its shape. In a bowl, mash the sweet potato flesh with butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.

Step 3: Make the Cranberry Apple Topping

While potatoes bake, melt a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, nutmeg, and dried cranberries. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the apples are tender and the mixture is bubbling.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake Again

Spoon the mashed sweet potato mixture back into the potato skins. Top with the warm cranberry-apple topping and a sprinkle of pecans if using. Return to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

How to Serve and Store These Sweet Potatoes

Serve these as a stunning side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner, or pair with roasted meats for a comforting weeknight meal. Their natural sweetness makes them kid-friendly, while the cranberry-apple topping keeps things interesting for adults.

To store leftovers, let the potatoes cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. You can also freeze them individually wrapped in foil and stored in a zip-top bag for up to a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Yes, but you’ll want to cook them down with a little extra sugar and a splash of orange juice to balance the tartness.

Can this be made ahead?

Absolutely. You can prep and assemble the potatoes a day in advance, then bake them just before serving.

What apples are best for this topping?

Firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith hold up best and offer great contrast to the soft sweet potatoes.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Use a dairy-free butter alternative and you’re all set.

Is this sweet enough to be dessert?

With the maple syrup and fruit topping, it’s definitely on the sweet side, but still works best as a side dish rather than a dessert.

Want More Holiday-Worthy Sides?

If you love these Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, you’ll probably enjoy these cozy fall favorites:

Irresistible Pecan Pie Bites for a poppable sweet treat.
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables to round out your holiday plate.
Funeral Potatoes for a comforting cheesy classic.
Corn Pudding Recipe that’s creamy and nostalgic.
Candied Jalapeños if you want to add a sweet heat twist.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest side dish board so you can come back to it when holiday cravings hit: Visit Nina Dishes on Pinterest

And if you give these twice-baked sweet potatoes a try, let me know how they turned out in the comments! Did you go full-on pecans or keep it simple? Swap in pears or raisins? Your twists always inspire me!

Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes are the ultimate sweet-savory side dish for your holiday table. Creamy mashed sweet potato gets a flavorful upgrade with maple syrup and cinnamon, then topped with buttery apples and tangy cranberries for an irresistible bite every time.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and bake on a sheet for 45–60 minutes until fork tender. Let cool slightly.

2. Slice each potato lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Mash the flesh with butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.

3. In a skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter. Add diced apple, brown sugar, nutmeg, and cranberries. Cook for 5–6 minutes until tender.

4. Fill sweet potato skins with the mash. Top with cranberry-apple mix and pecans if using. Bake 10–15 more minutes until warmed through.