Get ready to transform your ordinary sweet potatoes into a mouthwatering culinary masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds! This American-style recipe elevates the humble sweet potato into a decadent side dish that perfectly balances sweet, nutty, and warm spiced flavors. With a golden, crunchy pecan streusel topping that adds irresistible texture and depth, these sweet potatoes are about to become your new go-to comfort food that's both impressive and incredibly easy to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Thoroughly wash the sweet potatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Using a fork, pierce each sweet potato several times to allow steam to escape during baking. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the sweet potatoes for 35-40 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. The skin should be slightly crisp and the interior soft.
- While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the pecan streusel topping. In a medium bowl, combine chopped pecans, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Mix the streusel ingredients thoroughly until they form a crumbly, slightly moist mixture. Set aside.
- Once sweet potatoes are done, remove them from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Carefully slice each potato lengthwise.
- Gently fluff the interior of each sweet potato with a fork, creating a soft, textured surface.
- Sprinkle the prepared pecan streusel topping generously over each sweet potato, covering the entire surface.
- Return the sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. The streusel topping should be crunchy and the sweet potatoes warm and inviting.
Tips
- Choose the right sweet potatoes: Look for medium-sized, firm sweet potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin for the best texture and flavor.
- Don't skip piercing: Forking the sweet potatoes is crucial to prevent them from bursting during baking and allows steam to escape.
- For extra richness, consider using brown butter instead of regular melted butter in the streusel for a deeper, nuttier flavor profile.
- Toast the pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their natural oils and intensify their nutty taste.
- Let the sweet potatoes rest for a few minutes after the final bake to allow the streusel to set and become perfectly crisp.
- For a more indulgent version, you can add a small drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of sea salt over the finished dish to elevate the flavors.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
