There is something truly magical about the warm, cozy feeling you get when enjoying a perfectly cooked baked sweet potato topped with a luscious cinnamon butter. This Baked Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Butter Recipe is a celebration of autumn’s best flavors, blending the natural sweetness of tender sweet potatoes with the rich, aromatic warmth of cinnamon-infused butter. It’s an easy, comforting dish that brings a smile with every bite, whether as a side to your favorite meal or a satisfying snack all on its own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Baked Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Butter Recipe is refreshingly simple, but each one plays a crucial role in crafting that perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and spice. These essentials come together to create a texture that’s creamy and fluffy inside with a flavorful glaze that melts beautifully over the potato.
- 4 medium sweet potatoes: Choose firm, evenly sized potatoes for uniform baking and sweetness.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: The base for our cinnamon butter to add creaminess without overpowering flavor.
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Infuses a warm, spicy note that complements the natural sweetness perfectly.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: Adds depth and a hint of molasses richness to the butter mixture.
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup: Enhances sweetness and imparts its signature caramel undertones.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and prevents the butter from tasting flat.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings a fragrant, mellow finish that rounds out the cinnamon butter beautifully.
How to Make Baked Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Butter Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to a cozy 400°F (200°C). While it heats up, wash your sweet potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt, then pat them dry. Using a fork, pierce each potato several times. This step ensures steam escapes during baking, helping the potatoes cook evenly and preventing bursting.
Step 2: Bake the Sweet Potatoes
Place the prepared sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack, giving each enough room to breathe. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until they’re fork-tender and give slightly under gentle pressure. This slow bake caramelizes the natural sugars and softens the flesh to fluffy perfection.
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Butter
While your potatoes bake, combine the softened butter, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Stir everything together until the mixture is creamy and well blended. This cinnamon butter is where the magic happens—sweet, spiced, and perfectly spreadable.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Once the sweet potatoes have cooled just enough to handle, slice each one open lengthwise. Fluff the inside gently with a fork to create a soft bed for the butter. Dollop or spread a generous spoonful of the cinnamon butter over each warm potato and watch it melt into every crevice. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture experience.
How to Serve Baked Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Butter Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of toasted pecans or chopped walnuts adds a delightful crunch and nutty contrast to the creamy potato and sweet cinnamon butter. A dusting of extra cinnamon or a drizzle of pure maple syrup can also elevate the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with savory mains like roasted chicken, grilled pork chops, or a hearty lentil stew. The sweet and spiced notes balance rich, savory dishes perfectly, making it an excellent complement that adds color and warmth to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, scoop the baked sweet potato flesh into a bowl and swirl in the cinnamon butter before topping with chopped fruits such as apples or cranberries. You can also turn this into a festive holiday side by serving each potato in small ramekins, garnished with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an unexpected earthy note.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Baked Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Butter Recipe, store the potatoes and cinnamon butter separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This keeps each component fresh and preserves the best flavors and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover baked sweet potatoes, but it’s best to keep the cinnamon butter aside until you’re ready to serve. Wrap the potatoes tightly in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will maintain their quality for up to 3 months, making them perfect for future quick meals.
Reheating
Reheat the baked sweet potatoes in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, which helps retain their softness and caramelized flavors. Reheat the cinnamon butter gently in the microwave or on the stovetop before spreading it back over the potatoes for that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
Can I use other types of sweet potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! While this recipe works best with medium-sized orange-fleshed sweet potatoes for their natural sweetness and texture, you can experiment with white or purple varieties, which will offer slightly different flavors and colors but remain delicious with the cinnamon butter.
Is there a vegan way to make the cinnamon butter?
Yes! Simply swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based alternative like vegan margarine or coconut oil. The rest of the ingredients can stay the same, so you still get that creamy, spiced goodness without any dairy.
Can I make the cinnamon butter ahead of time?
You can prepare the cinnamon butter a day in advance and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. Let it come to room temperature before serving to regain its spreadable consistency and to release all those fragrant flavors.
What if I don’t have maple syrup? Can I substitute it?
In a pinch, you can substitute honey, agave nectar, or even a mild corn syrup for the maple syrup. Each will add sweetness but with slightly different notes, so feel free to choose based on your preference or what’s available.
How do I know when the sweet potatoes are done baking?
The simplest way is to pierce them with a fork or skewer; they should slide in easily without resistance. If the potatoes feel firm or hard, give them more time—they need to be tender and soft inside for the perfect texture with the cinnamon butter.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Butter Recipe is truly a heartwarming dish that turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Whether for a cozy family dinner or a casual snack, it’s a surefire way to enjoy the tastes of fall anytime. Give it a try, and you might just find yourself reaching for it again and again whenever you crave a sweet and spiced hug on your plate.
Print
Baked Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Traditional American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the warm, comforting taste of baked sweet potatoes topped with a luscious cinnamon-spiced butter. This easy-to-make recipe combines natural sweetness with a hint of spice, perfect as a hearty side dish or a cozy snack for any occasion.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
Cinnamon Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Wash and dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 45 minutes or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Make Cinnamon Butter: In a bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Cool Slightly: Once baked, remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes for easier handling.
- Slice and Fluff: Slice each sweet potato open lengthwise and gently fluff the inside flesh with a fork to create a soft texture ready to absorb the butter.
- Serve: Spoon a generous dollop of the cinnamon butter mixture onto each sweet potato. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and experience.
Notes
- Make sure to pierce the sweet potatoes well before baking to prevent bursting.
- Use softened butter for easier mixing of the cinnamon butter ingredients.
- You can adjust the amount of brown sugar and cinnamon according to your sweetness and spice preferences.
- For a vegan version, substitute the unsalted butter with a plant-based buttery spread.
- Leftover baked sweet potatoes can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
