Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin: A Must-Try Festive Recipe! Recipe
This Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin is a delightful festive side dish combining tender sweet potatoes, tart cranberries, and a creamy, cheesy topping. Perfect for holiday meals, it balances sweetness with warm spices and a crunchy breadcrumb crust, baked to golden perfection.
- 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
Vegetables & Fruit
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Dairy & Cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Other Ingredients
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the gratin.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: In a large pot, boil the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes; this ensures they cook evenly in the gratin.
- Layer Sweet Potatoes: Drain the sweet potatoes and arrange half of them in a greased baking dish, forming the first layer.
- Add Cranberries: Sprinkle half of the fresh cranberries evenly over the sweet potato layer to add tartness and color.
- Mix Cream Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper; mix well to blend the flavors.
- Pour Cream Mixture: Pour half of the cream mixture over the layered sweet potatoes and cranberries to infuse moisture and sweetness.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering with the remaining sweet potatoes, cranberries, and cream mixture, ensuring an even build.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese and breadcrumbs evenly over the top for a rich, crispy crust.
- Bake the Gratin: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, signaling it’s ready to serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg to the cream mixture.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Ensure sweet potatoes are sliced evenly for uniform cooking.
- Use fresh cranberries for the best tartness; frozen cranberries can be substituted but may release more moisture.
- Let the gratin rest for 5 minutes before serving to set the layers.
Keywords: sweet potato gratin, cranberry side dish, holiday recipes, baked sweet potatoes, festive side dish, Gruyère cheese gratin
