Description
Creamy, buttery, and lightly sweet mashed sweet potatoes baked to tender perfection and combined with pure maple syrup, butter, and milk for a comforting side dish that’s perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 pounds medium-sized sweet potatoes (3 or 4)
Butter Mixture
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ cup milk
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For Serving (Optional)
- Fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and place an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy clean-up.
- Bake Sweet Potatoes: Prick each sweet potato 3 to 4 times with a fork. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 60 to 75 minutes, turning the potatoes over halfway through baking until they are tender.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: While the sweet potatoes bake, melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add pure maple syrup, milk, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Turn off the heat and set the mixture aside.
- Scoop and Mash: When the sweet potatoes are done and cool enough to handle, cut each in half. Hold them with an oven mitt and scoop the warm flesh into the pan with the butter mixture. Over low heat, mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the mashed sweet potatoes and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves if using. Serve hot.
- Make-Ahead Tip: These mashed sweet potatoes can be prepared ahead of time. Before serving, stir in a bit of milk and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Notes
- This dish is creamy, buttery, and lightly sweet, ideal as a comforting side for any occasion.
- Turning the sweet potatoes halfway through baking ensures they cook evenly.
- Fresh thyme adds a lovely herbal aroma and flavor but is optional.
- Leftovers can be reheated with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Ensure sweet potatoes are tender by testing with a fork before mashing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 362
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 816mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 33mg
