Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin: A Must-Try Festive Recipe! Recipe
This Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin is a festive and flavorful side dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of tender boiled sweet potatoes and tart fresh cranberries are enriched with a cinnamon-spiced cream, then topped with nutty Gruyère cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs. Baked until golden and bubbly, this gratin offers a comforting blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Sweet Potato and Fruit
- 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 the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and let it heat while you prepare the gratin.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: In a large pot of boiling water, cook the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes for 10-15 minutes until they become tender but not mushy. Drain well.
- First Layer Assembly: Grease a baking dish and place half of the boiled sweet potatoes evenly in the bottom. Sprinkle half of the fresh cranberries evenly over the potatoes.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until well blended. Pour half of this cream mixture over the first layer of sweet potatoes and cranberries.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining sweet potatoes as the second layer, followed by the remaining cranberries. Pour the rest of the cream mixture evenly over the top.
- Add Cheese and Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the layered ingredients, then finish with a layer of breadcrumbs to create a crispy topping.
- Bake the Gratin: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The gratin should be golden brown and bubbly on top when done.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the gratin to cool for a few minutes before serving to let it set slightly for easier slicing.
Notes
- You can substitute Gruyère cheese with Swiss or mozzarella if preferred.
- For a nuttier flavor, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the breadcrumb topping.
- If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen cranberries can be used but do not thaw them before layering.
- Adjust the cinnamon and brown sugar quantity to your preferred sweetness and spice level.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats or can be enjoyed as a vegetarian main with a side salad.
