A sweet potato bake is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, slightly sweet, and perfectly tender. It works as a holiday side dish, weeknight dinner addition, or vegetarian main. This recipe balances sweetness, spice, and richness for a high-value, crowd-pleasing dish.
⭐ Why This Recipe Is Special
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Creamy and tender inside
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Slightly caramelized edges for depth of flavor
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Easily customizable: savory, cheesy, or lightly sweet
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Makes ahead for meal prep or entertaining
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Naturally gluten-free (with optional toppings)
π Ingredients (Serves 6)
Base
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4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
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2 tbsp butter or olive oil
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½ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
Creamy Layer
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¾ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
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¼ cup milk
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1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
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½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
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1–2 tbsp brown sugar or honey (optional)
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1 clove garlic, minced (optional for savory version)
Topping Options
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1 cup shredded cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella
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½ cup panko breadcrumbs mixed with 2 tbsp butter
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Optional: drizzle of honey for a sweet finish
π₯ Instructions
1. Prep Oven
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Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F
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Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish
2. Layer Sweet Potatoes
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Arrange half the sweet potato slices in the dish
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Lightly season with salt and pepper
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Pour half the creamy mixture over the layer
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Repeat with remaining potatoes and cream
3. Add Topping
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Sprinkle with cheese, nuts, or breadcrumbs as desired
4. Bake
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Cover loosely with foil
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Bake 40 minutes
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Remove foil and bake 20–25 minutes more until golden and bubbly
5. Serve
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Let rest 10 minutes before serving
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Optional: garnish with fresh herbs, a drizzle of honey, or extra nuts
π½ Serving Ideas
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Perfect with roast chicken, turkey, pork, or beef
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Pair with green salads or roasted vegetables
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Great for holiday feasts, brunch, or weeknight dinners
π± Variations
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Savory: Skip sugar, add garlic, thyme, rosemary, or Parmesan
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Vegan: Use plant-based milk and butter, skip cheese
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Dessert-Style: Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and marshmallows on top
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Spicy: Sprinkle cayenne, smoked paprika, or chili flakes
π‘ Pro Tips
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Slice evenly for uniform cooking
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Soak slices in milk for 10 minutes for extra creaminess
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Bake covered first, then uncovered for golden topping
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Store leftovers refrigerated for 3–4 days
π₯ Nutrition Highlights
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Can be tailored to low-fat or dairy-free diets
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Balanced natural sweetness with creamy texture
- 3 c. mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 c. melted butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 eggs, well beaten
- 1 c. evaporated milk
- 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 1/2 tbsp. butter
- 1/4 c. flour






