Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin: A Must-Try Festive Recipe! Recipe
This Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin is a festive, comforting dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of tender boiled sweet potatoes and tart fresh cranberries are drenched in a sweetly spiced cream mixture, topped with melted Gruyère cheese and crispy breadcrumbs, then baked to a golden, bubbly perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Sweet Potato & Fruit
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Cream Mixture
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the gratin.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: Place the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes into a large pot of boiling water and cook until they are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain them well to remove excess water.
- First Layer: Grease a baking dish and arrange half of the boiled sweet potato slices evenly on the bottom.
- Add Cranberries: Evenly sprinkle half of the fresh cranberries over the sweet potato layer to add a tart contrast.
- Mix Cream Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure the sugar and spices are evenly distributed.
- Pour Cream Mixture: Pour half of the cream mixture over the layered sweet potatoes and cranberries, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Repeat Layers: Layer the remaining sweet potatoes and cranberries on top, then pour over the rest of the cream mixture to complete the assembly.
- Top with Cheese and Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese and breadcrumbs evenly over the top to create a flavorful, crispy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, indicating the gratin is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the gratin rest for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set and enhance the flavors.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, substitute Gruyère with Comté or sharp cheddar cheese.
- Breadcrumbs can be toasted with a little butter beforehand for extra crispiness.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to suit your desired sweetness level.
- This dish can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated before baking; just increase the baking time slightly if baking from cold.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
