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Loaded Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

These twice baked sweet potatoes combine creamy mashed sweet potato with a crunchy pecan streusel topping, melted marshmallows, and dried cranberries. Perfect for holidays and can be prepared in advance.

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Updated on Wed, 01 Jan 2025 17:36:37 GMT
Baked sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, pecans, cranberries, and a crumb topping are arranged on a baking sheet.
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Baked sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, pecans, cranberries, and a crumb topping are arranged on a baking sheet. Pin it
Baked sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, pecans, cranberries, and a crumb topping are arranged on a baking sheet. | quickierecipe.com

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes are a delightful twist on a classic side dish, combining tender roasted sweet potatoes with a decadent pecan streusel, gooey marshmallows, and tart cranberries. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any special occasion, these hand-held sweet potatoes are bursting with fall flavors and textures!

A Holiday Show-Stopper

I've been making these twice baked sweet potatoes for years and they never fail to impress. Each bite brings together the perfect combination of creamy mashed sweet potato warm spices and that irresistible pecan streusel topping. Plus I love how they look on the holiday table like little individual casseroles that guests can't wait to dig into.

What You'll Need

  • Sweet Potatoes: 6 medium-sized orange or red-fleshed sweet potatoes like garnet or jewel, for vibrant color and natural sweetness.
  • Pecans: Chopped pecans for a crunchy streusel topping; buy pre-chopped or chop them yourself for fresh flavor.
  • Mini Marshmallows: Perfect for melting into a gooey, golden topping.
  • Dried Cranberries: A tart finishing touch that balances the sweetness.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter for smooth, rich mashed potatoes and streusel.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to the mashed potatoes and streusel topping.
  • Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that enhances the fall flavors.
  • Flour: Helps create a crumbly, flavorful streusel topping.
  • Salt: Enhances the natural sweetness of the potatoes and balances the dish.

Let's Make Them Together

Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and place on a sheet pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until tender. Let cool slightly.
Prepare the Mashed Potatoes
Carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving about ¼ inch of potato on the skins. Mash the flesh with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Make the Streusel Topping
Combine flour, brown sugar, butter, and pecans in a bowl. Mix until crumbly.
Assemble and Bake
Spoon mashed potatoes back into the potato skins. Top with streusel and bake for 20 minutes. Add marshmallows and bake for 5 more minutes. Sprinkle with cranberries and serve warm.

My Best Tips

After making countless batches I've learned some helpful tricks. Always choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size they'll cook more evenly that way. Using a potato ricer creates the smoothest creamiest filling but a regular masher works well too. Don't forget to prick those potatoes before roasting or they might burst in the oven. And lining your baking sheet with foil makes cleanup so much easier.

Making Them Your Own

I love experimenting with different flavors when making these potatoes. A splash of maple syrup in the filling adds wonderful depth or try going savory with some crispy bacon and herbs. Sometimes I'll swap the cranberries for cinnamon-spiced apples or use marshmallow fluff for an extra creamy topping. The possibilities are endless and each variation brings its own special touch to the holiday table.

Perfect Pairings

These twice baked beauties shine brightest alongside traditional holiday favorites. They're wonderful next to roasted turkey or glazed ham and complement other sides like green bean casserole perfectly. I always make a few extra because they're just as delicious the next day warmed up for lunch.

Baked sweet potatoes are topped with marshmallows, crushed pecans, and a crumbly topping on a baking tray. Pin it
Baked sweet potatoes are topped with marshmallows, crushed pecans, and a crumbly topping on a baking tray. | quickierecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How far in advance can I prepare these potatoes?

You can prepare the potatoes up to one day ahead and store them in the refrigerator. Add 15 minutes to the bake time if cooking from cold.

→ Why use 8 potatoes but only 6 shells?

The extra potato filling from the two discarded shells helps create more generous portions in the remaining six shells for a fuller presentation.

→ What's the best tool for mashing the potatoes?

A potato ricer creates the smoothest texture, but you can also use a standard potato masher or mixer with good results.

→ What kind of sweet potatoes work best?

Any orange or red fleshed sweet potatoes work well, such as jewel or garnet varieties. Choose potatoes of similar size and shape for even cooking.

→ Why add marshmallows last?

Adding marshmallows near the end prevents them from over-melting or burning, while still allowing them to get perfectly melted and golden.

Loaded Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes twice baked and topped with brown sugar pecan streusel, melted marshmallows and dried cranberries. Ideal for holiday meals.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
90 Minutes
Total Time
110 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 potatoes)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 8 medium sweet potatoes, similar size.
02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter.
03 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
04 ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
05 ½ teaspoon salt.
06 2 tablespoons flour.
07 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
08 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans.
09 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed.
10 ½ cup mini marshmallows.
11 ¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped.
12 Cooking spray.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake pricked potatoes on foil-lined sprayed pan for 45-50 minutes until tender.

Step 02

Cut tops off cooled potatoes, scoop out insides leaving ¼-inch border. Mash potato with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Step 03

Mix flour and brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans.

Step 04

Fill only 6 shells with potato mixture. Top with streusel. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Step 05

Add marshmallows, bake 3 more minutes. Top with cranberries and serve.

Notes

  1. Can be prepared one day ahead.
  2. Use potatoes of similar size for even cooking.
  3. Can pipe filling for decorative presentation.

Tools You'll Need

  • Sheet pan.
  • Potato masher or ricer.
  • Mixing bowls.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter).
  • Nuts (pecans).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 314
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 54 g
  • Protein: 3 g