Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin Recipe

Introduction

This Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin is a delightful holiday side dish that perfectly balances creamy, sweet, and tart flavors. It’s an easy bake that combines tender sweet potatoes with fresh cranberries, rich cream, and a crispy cheese topping. A festive addition to your dinner table that’s sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: In a large pot, boil the sweet potato slices until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain well.
3. Step 3: Grease a baking dish and layer half of the sweet potatoes evenly on the bottom.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle half of the cranberries over the sweet potatoes.
5. Step 5: In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Pour half of this mixture over the layered sweet potatoes and cranberries.
6. Step 6: Repeat the layers with the remaining sweet potatoes, cranberries, and cream mixture.
7. Step 7: Top the dish with shredded Gruyère cheese and breadcrumbs for a golden crust.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
9. Step 9: Let the gratin cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Gruyère cheese with a plant-based alternative.
• Prepare the gratin a day ahead and bake just before serving to save time on the day of your meal.
• Adjust the amount of brown sugar depending on the natural sweetness of your sweet potatoes for the perfect balance.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to maintain the crispy topping. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen cranberries can be used. Just thaw and drain them before layering to avoid excess moisture in the gratin.

Is it possible to make this gratin gluten-free?

Absolutely. Simply substitute the breadcrumbs with a gluten-free variety or crushed nuts for added texture.

Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 142 reviews

A comforting and festive Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin featuring tender sweet potatoes layered with fresh cranberries, rich heavy cream, and melted Gruyère cheese, topped with crispy breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection. This American classic is perfect as a holiday side dish, balancing sweetness and savory flavors with a hint of cinnamon.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sweet Potato Layer

• 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

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the gratin.
2. Boil Sweet Potatoes: In a large pot, boil the sliced sweet potatoes until they are tender, which should take about 10-15 minutes. This softens the potatoes for layering.
3. Layer Sweet Potatoes: Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and place half of them evenly in a greased baking dish to form the first layer.
4. Add Cranberries: Sprinkle half of the fresh cranberries evenly over the sweet potato layer to add tartness and color.
5. Mix Cream Sauce: In a bowl, combine heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Pour half of this mixture evenly over the sweet potato and cranberry layers.
6. Repeat Layers: Add the remaining sweet potatoes and cranberries in another layer and pour the rest of the cream mixture on top to ensure moistness and flavor.
7. Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese and breadcrumbs evenly on top to create a golden crust when baked.
8. Bake: Place the gratin in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the gratin to set nicely.

Notes

• For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and cheese with a plant-based alternative.
• This gratin can be prepared a day in advance and baked just before serving to save time.
• Adjust the amount of brown sugar based on the natural sweetness of your sweet potatoes for desired sweetness.

Keywords: Sweet Potato, Cranberry, Gratin, Festive Recipe, Holiday Side Dish