Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin Recipe
This Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin is a comforting and festive dish perfect for holiday meals or cozy dinners. It combines tender layers of boiled sweet potatoes and tart fresh cranberries, all baked in a creamy, cinnamon-spiced sauce topped with melting Gruyère cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs for a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato & Cranberry Layers
- 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 sliced sweet potatoes in a large pot of boiling water and cook them until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. This ensures they will be soft and fully cooked before baking.
- Drain and Layer Sweet Potatoes: Drain the potatoes well to remove excess water. Grease a baking dish lightly and layer half of the sweet potato slices evenly at the bottom.
- Add Cranberries: Sprinkle half of the fresh cranberries over the layer of sweet potatoes to add a tart and fresh flavor contrast.
- Prepare Cream Mixture and Add Half: In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Pour half of this mixture evenly over the layered sweet potatoes and cranberries to infuse the layers with creamy sweetness and spice.
- Repeat Layers: Layer the remaining sweet potatoes, then the remaining cranberries. Pour the rest of the cream mixture over the top, ensuring all ingredients are evenly covered.
- Add Cheese and Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top of the gratin followed by an even layer of breadcrumbs to create a crispy, golden crust when baked.
- Bake the Gratin: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Bake until the top is bubbly and golden brown, indicating the cheese has melted and the breadcrumbs are crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the gratin cool for a few minutes before serving. This rest time helps the dish set and makes it easier to portion.
Notes
- You can substitute Gruyère cheese with sharp cheddar or fontina if desired.
- For a nutty flavor, add a tablespoon of toasted pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
- Adjust sweetness and cinnamon to your taste preferences.
- Make sure to boil sweet potatoes until just tender to avoid overcooking and mushy texture after baking.
- Use fresh cranberries for the best tartness; frozen cranberries can be used but may release more moisture.
Keywords: sweet potato gratin, cranberry gratin, holiday side dish, baked sweet potatoes, creamy sweet potato casserole, festive vegetable bake
