Description

This showstopping baked sweet potato side dish features a simple spiced brown butter maple drizzle with pecans, transforming a standard roasted vegetable into an elegant and comforting dish for weeknight meals or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 medium sweet potatoes (approx. 600g total), scrubbed clean
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup pecan halves

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prep Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
Season and Bake Sweet Potatoes: Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with fine sea salt. Place them on a lined baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until very tender when pierced with a fork.
Prepare Brown Butter Drizzle: While the potatoes bake, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and smells nutty (about 5-7 minutes). Remove immediately from heat.
Combine Topping Ingredients: Stir the maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and vanilla extract into the brown butter. Add the pecan halves and mix to coat; keep warm until serving.
Serve Potatoes: Once potatoes are done, make a deep lengthwise cut down the center of each potato, careful not to cut through the bottom skin. Gently squeeze to open, fluff the flesh, and generously spoon the warm drizzle over each potato.

Notes

Watch closely when browning the butter to avoid burning; remove from heat immediately once browned. For best results, finish with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt for contrasting sparkle.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sweet potato
Calories: 720 calories
Sugar: 36g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 39g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 24g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 86g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 60mg