I absolutely love sharing this Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe because it brings a touch of elegance to a classic comfort food. The creamy, spiced sweet potatoes topped with that crackly caramelized sugar layer make it feel like a special occasion dish, even on a regular weeknight. Whenever I make this, it’s the side that everyone asks for seconds on – trust me, once you try it, you’ll see why!
What makes this Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe so worth trying is how it balances cozy warmth with a surprising crunch from the brûlée topping. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday feast or just elevating your dinner routine, this dish is a total showstopper that’s actually easy to pull off. You’ll enjoy how quick it is to prep and how deeply satisfying the flavors are after just one bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decadent and Simple: Combines smooth mashed sweet potatoes with a crisp, caramelized sugar topping effortlessly.
- Perfect for Entertaining: A crowd-pleasing side that looks impressive but is easy to prepare ahead.
- Customizable Flavors: You can tweak the spices and toppings to match your family’s taste preferences.
- Comfort Food Upgrade: Elevates a familiar dish into a restaurant-worthy delight right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe, it’s all about simple, wholesome ingredients that build rich flavor and a luscious texture. Choosing fresh sweet potatoes and good quality butter really makes a difference in the final taste.
- Sweet Potatoes: I like to pick firm, bright sweet potatoes – the naturally sweet flavor is the star of this dish.
- 1% Milk: Adds creaminess without being too heavy; you can swap for plant-based milk if needed.
- Whipped Butter: Softened butter blends beautifully, giving a silky texture and rich taste.
- Kosher Salt: A pinch balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Ground Cinnamon: Just the right hint of warm spice to cozy things up.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds depth and a touch of earthiness, but use sparingly!
- Light Brown Sugar: The key to that classic brûlée topping – it melts and caramelizes into a beautiful crunchy crust.
Variations
I love how versatile this Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe is, so don’t hesitate to adjust it to your liking. Sometimes I like to add a sprinkle of chopped pecans for a nutty crunch, or swap out spices to give it a holiday twist.
- Nut-Free Variation: I’ve made this without nuts and kept it family-friendly, perfect when allergies are a concern.
- Dairy-Free Version: Using coconut oil and almond milk works wonderfully—as creamy and flavorful as the original.
- Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of cayenne or ginger gives a little kick; my family goes crazy for this twist.
- Brûlée Alternative: If you don’t have a broiler-safe dish, I discovered a kitchen torch works just as well to caramelize the sugar.
How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe
Step 1: Boil and Prepare Sweet Potatoes
Start by peeling and boiling your sweet potatoes until they’re soft – about 15-20 minutes depending on size. I always test by piercing with a fork; when it slides in easily, you’re good to go. This step is key because perfectly cooked potatoes mash up into that silky texture you want without lumps or graininess.
Step 2: Mash and Season Your Potatoes
Once drained, transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Add milk, whipped butter, kosher salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then mash or puree until completely smooth. I recommend using a hand mixer or food processor if you want ultra-creamy mashed sweet potatoes, but a sturdy masher works fine too. Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning—sometimes a little extra cinnamon makes all the difference.
Step 3: Bake Until Heated Through
Spoon your mashed sweet potatoes into a 9×9 or 11×7-inch baking dish. Cover it with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes to warm the potatoes all the way through. If you’re making this ahead and it’s coming straight from the fridge, bake a bit longer until the center is piping hot. This gentle warming keeps the texture creamy and luscious.
Step 4: Caramelize the Brown Sugar Topping
Set your oven broiler to high and sprinkle an even layer of light brown sugar (about 1/2 cup) over the surface of the mashed potatoes. Place the dish approximately 6 inches from the broiler flame and watch closely as the sugar melts and caramelizes into a bubbly, golden crust. This takes just 2-3 minutes tops, so don’t walk away—burnt sugar is a bummer! Once golden and crackly, let it rest for about 5 minutes to harden before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Butter: It blends much easier into the potatoes, giving you that silky, lump-free mash.
- Watch the Broiler Closely: The sugar goes from caramelized to burnt in seconds, so stay nearby and keep an eye on it.
- Choose Your Sweet Potatoes Carefully: Look for firm potatoes with smooth skins for best flavor and cooking results.
- Avoid Overmixing: Too much mixing can make the potatoes gluey. Mash gently and save pureeing for when you want an ultra-smooth texture.
How to Serve Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple by serving the sweet potatoes with just the brûlée crust, but sometimes I sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or a few fresh sage leaves on top for a fresh, earthy note. It adds a bit of texture and color, and my guests always comment on how pretty it looks.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs perfectly with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or grilled chicken. My favorite combo is mashed sweet potatoes brûlée alongside green beans almondine and a crisp garden salad—it rounds out the meal with fresh and crunchy elements that complement the creamy potatoes beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I sometimes serve the mashed sweet potatoes brûlée in individual ramekins for a personalized touch. It looks festive when each portion has its own caramelized top, and it’s fun to see everyone crack into their sweet, crunchy topping. Perfect for impressing guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers covered tightly in the fridge in an airtight container, and they keep well for up to 3 days. Just be sure to cool completely before sealing to avoid condensation making the topping soggy.
Freezing
If I ever make a big batch, I portion the uncaramelized mashed sweet potatoes into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake and brûlée fresh – that way, the topping stays beautifully crisp.
Reheating
Reheating is best done in the oven at 325°F until warmed through, then hit the top with a quick broil or a kitchen torch to refresh the caramelized sugar crust. This method keeps the topping crackly and the potatoes creamy underneath.
FAQs
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Can I make the Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the mashed sweet potatoes up to a day in advance and keep them refrigerated. When ready to serve, bake until heated through, sprinkle with brown sugar, and broil to caramelize the topping just before serving.
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What can I use if I don’t have a broiler to caramelize the sugar?
If your dish isn’t safe under a broiler, a handheld kitchen torch works perfectly to caramelize the brown sugar topping. It gives you great control and the same delicious brûlée crust without heating the whole oven.
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How do I adjust this recipe for dairy-free diets?
You can swap out the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil, and replace milk with any nut or oat milk. This keeps the mashed sweet potatoes creamy and delicious while fitting a dairy-free lifestyle.
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Can I use other sweeteners instead of brown sugar for the brûlée topping?
Brown sugar caramelizes best for that signature brûlée crunch, but you could experiment with coconut sugar or granulated sugar. Just note that the flavor and color may vary slightly from the traditional topping.
Final Thoughts
This Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brûlée Recipe has become a personal favorite for me because it combines cozy comfort with a bit of flair — making every meal feel a little more special. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it finds a regular place on your table, too. It’s an approachable recipe that’s sure to impress friends and family, and once you master it, you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and 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
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brulee recipe offers a deliciously creamy and smooth sweet potato base topped with a perfectly caramelized brown sugar crust. The sweet potatoes are boiled until tender, then blended with milk, butter, and warm spices before baking and broiling to create a luscious, sweet, and slightly crunchy dish that’s perfect for holiday dinners or comforting family meals.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes Base
- 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
Brulee Topping
- 1/2 cup unpacked light brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and boil them in water until they become very soft and tender, approximately 20–25 minutes. Drain well to remove excess water.
- Mash and Mix: In a large bowl, combine the cooked sweet potatoes with 3/4 cup 1% milk, 3 tablespoons softened whipped butter, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Mash the mixture until smooth or use a puree for an extra creamy texture.
- Bake the Mixture: Spoon the mashed sweet potatoes evenly into a 9 x 9-inch or 11 x 7-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. If baking from refrigerated, extend baking time as needed to heat the center thoroughly.
- Preheat Broiler: While baking, preheat your oven’s broiler to prepare for caramelizing the topping.
- Apply Brown Sugar Topping: Once the sweet potatoes are hot, evenly sprinkle 1/2 cup unpacked light brown sugar over the surface of the mashed sweet potatoes.
- Broil to Caramelize: Place the dish about 6 inches below the broiler element. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the brown sugar melts and caramelizes to form a golden crust. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dish to stand for about 5 minutes so the caramelized sugar topping hardens into a crisp shell before serving.
Notes
- To make this dish dairy-free, substitute the butter and milk with vegan butter or coconut oil and use a nut-based milk alternative.
- If your baking dish is not safe for broiling, you can use a brulee torch to caramelize the brown sugar topping instead of the oven broiler.
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
