If you’re craving a cozy, comforting side that’s got a magical twist, you’re going to adore this Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish combines creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a crisp, caramelized sugar crust on top—it’s like dessert and a side all in one! Whether you’re planning a holiday feast or just want to elevate your weeknight dinner, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and surprisingly easy to pull together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decadent and Comforting: Creamy sweet potatoes with a perfectly crunchy brûlée topping create an irresistible texture contrast.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need already, making this an easy upgrade to your usual mashed potatoes.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Great for prepping in advance, just reheat and brûlée before serving for that fresh-out-of-the-oven feel.
- Versatile and Customizable: Swap in dairy-free options or spice it up with your favorite add-ins without losing that brûlée magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients that come together for a rich, velvety mash with just a hint of warmth from spices and that irresistible caramelized sugar topping. I always recommend picking firm, fresh sweet potatoes and quality butter—those little touches make a big difference.
- Sweet Potatoes: Fresh, firm roots work best; peeling and boiling them until fork-tender ensures that smooth mash you’ll love.
- 1% Milk: Adds creaminess without heaviness; you can swap for your favorite plant-based milk to keep it dairy-free.
- Whipped Butter: Soft and whipped for easy mixing; butter brings that rich, comforting flavor.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors—don’t skip it!
- Ground Cinnamon: A hint of warm spice that complements the natural sweetness beautifully.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds subtle depth and earthiness—just a pinch is perfect.
- Light Brown Sugar: This is your brûlée magic—caramelizes to create that crispy, caramelized top everyone raves about.
Variations
I like to play around with this recipe depending on the occasion and what my family is in the mood for. The great thing is, this Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe is wonderfully flexible—so personalize it to suit your taste and dietary needs!
- Dairy-Free Version: I’ve swapped the milk and butter for coconut milk and vegan butter, and it still comes out creamy with a gorgeous brûlée crust.
- Spice It Up: Sometimes I add a splash of orange zest or a dash of cayenne for a subtle brightness or heat—totally optional but delicious!
- Extra Toppings: Toasted pecans or chopped pecan praline on top add crunch and a nutty flavor that my family absolutely goes crazy for.
- Smoky Twist: For a deeper flavor, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the mash before baking.
How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe
Step 1: Boil Your Sweet Potatoes to Soft Perfection
Start by peeling about 5 and a half pounds of sweet potatoes. Cut them into evenly sized chunks so they cook at the same pace. Boil them in salted water until they’re fork-tender—this usually takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of your pieces. You’ll want them soft enough to mash smoothly without lumps.
Step 2: Mash and Blend with Flavorful Additions
Drain your cooked potatoes well and transfer them into a large bowl. Add ¾ cup of milk (I like 1%, but any will do), 3 tablespoons of softened whipped butter, half a teaspoon of kosher salt, a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon, and an eighth of a teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Then, mash or puree everything until it’s silky smooth. Here’s what I learned: don’t overwork the potatoes or they can become gluey—just mix until everything’s combined and creamy.
Step 3: Bake to Warm Through
Spread the mashed sweet potatoes evenly in a 9 x 9 or 11 x 7-inch baking dish. Cover it tightly with foil and bake at 350°F until the mixture is heated through—this takes about 20 minutes. If you’re making this ahead and reheating from the fridge, give it extra time so the center is piping hot. You’ll notice the magic happens next!
Step 4: Create That Signature Brûlée Crust
Preheat your broiler and sprinkle a generous ½ cup of light brown sugar evenly over the mashed potatoes. Put the dish under the broiler about 6 inches from the heat source. Watch very closely because in just 2-3 minutes the sugar will melt, bubble, and caramelize to form a golden, crisp crust. If you don’t have a broiler-safe dish, a kitchen torch works beautifully here—just torch the sugar until it caramelizes. Once molten and bubbly, let it sit for about 5 minutes for the sugar to harden into that perfect crunchy shell.
Pro Tips for Making Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe
- Potato Size Matters: Cut your sweet potatoes in uniform sizes to make sure they cook evenly every time.
- Don’t Rush the Broil: Keep your eyes on the sugar topping while broiling; it burns fast, but you want that perfect golden caramel, not blackened sugar.
- Perfect Consistency: Use a hand masher or potato ricer for the smoothest texture, avoiding over mixing which can make the mash gummy.
- Make Ahead Smartly: When reheating, cover with foil first to keep moisture in, then uncover for the last few minutes to crisp up the topping again.
How to Serve Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe
Garnishes
I love to sprinkle a few toasted pecans or chopped fresh rosemary on top right after the brûlée crust hardens—it adds a pop of texture and a lovely herbal touch that brightens the dish. A little flaky sea salt right on the sugar crust also amps up the flavors beautifully!
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey or chicken, glazed carrots, and a simple green salad. When I serve this at holiday dinners, my family can’t get enough, especially when alongside a juicy roast and homemade cranberry sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I sometimes serve this mashed sweet potatoes brûlée recipe in individual ramekins—each person has their own little brûlée surprise! It’s perfect for impressing guests without extra fuss. You can also use decorative serving dishes and garnish with edible flowers or fresh thyme sprigs for that fancy holiday vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When my family has leftovers (which doesn’t happen often!), I store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This mashed sweet potatoes brûlée recipe holds up really well for 3 to 4 days. Just keep the brûlée topping intact as much as possible to preserve that crunch.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this recipe successfully by skipping the brûlée topping beforehand. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and finishing with the sugar topping. Freezing the brûlée crust doesn’t work well, so always add that fresh at serving time.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 20 minutes from refrigerated. Then sprinkle the sugar topping and use your broiler or torch to recrisp the brûlée crust. This step really revives the texture and flavor like it’s fresh out of the oven.
FAQs
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Can I make the Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the mashed sweet potatoes and bake them ahead. Just cover and refrigerate, then reheat before adding the sugar topping and broiling for that perfect brûlée finish. Just add some extra bake time if reheating from cold to ensure it’s warmed through.
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What’s the best way to get that crispy brûlée topping?
The best method is to sprinkle evenly with light brown sugar and broil about 6 inches from the heat source, watching very closely so it caramelizes without burning. A kitchen torch also works well if your dish isn’t broiler safe, giving you greater control.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil and use your favorite plant-based milk like almond or oat milk. The dish will still be creamy and delicious with that signature brûlée crunch.
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What if my sweet potatoes aren’t sweet enough?
If your sweet potatoes are on the less-sweet side, the cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar brûlée topping help enhance flavor perfectly. You can also add a teaspoon of maple syrup into the mash for an extra layer of natural sweetness.
Final Thoughts
This Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe has become my go-to for special dinners and comforting family meals alike. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table with smiles, combining creamy warmth with that show-stopping caramelized top that’s incredibly fun to make and eat. I highly recommend giving it a try—you’ll be amazed how a humble side gets a delicious, elegant makeover. Trust me, once you’ve made it, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe over and over again!
Print
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brulee recipe offers a decadent twist on traditional mashed sweet potatoes by combining creamy, spiced mash with a crunchy caramelized sugar topping. Perfect as a comforting side dish for holiday meals or special occasions, it balances smooth texture with a delightful brûlée crust.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 5 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and boiled until soft (about 6 cups cooked)
- 3/4 cup 1% milk
- 3 tbsp whipped butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unpacked light brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel and boil sweet potatoes until they are soft and fully cooked, approximately 20-30 minutes depending on size. Drain and measure about 6 cups of the cooked potatoes.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl, combine the cooked sweet potatoes with 3/4 cup of 1% milk, 3 tablespoons of softened whipped butter, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Mash or puree the mixture until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Spoon the mashed sweet potato mixture evenly into a 9×9 inch or 11×7 inch baking dish, smoothing the top for even heating.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture is heated through. If reheating from refrigerated, extend baking time as needed until the center is hot.
- Preheat Broiler and Caramelize Sugar: Preheat the oven broiler. Sprinkle 1/2 cup light brown sugar evenly over the top of the mashed sweet potatoes. Place the dish about 6 inches from the broiler flame and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully until the sugar melts and caramelizes into a golden brown crust. Avoid burning.
- Cool to Harden Sugar: Allow the brûléed topping to stand for about 5 minutes so the melted sugar hardens into a crisp crust before serving.
Notes
- To make this recipe dairy free, substitute the butter and milk with vegan butter or coconut oil and use nut milk of choice.
- If your baking dish is not broiler-safe, you can use a kitchen brûlée torch to caramelize the sugar topping instead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 72 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21.5 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
