Description
Is it a side dish? Is it a dessert? By combining the earthy sweetness of yams with the tart brightness of apples, we create a dish that is balanced, complex, and utterly delicious. This recipe takes the classic holiday staple and elevates it with layers of tender fruit and a buttery, spiced pecan crunch topping. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a savory roast turkey or ham.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Base Layers:
- 5-6 medium Sweet Potatoes (fresh is best)
- 3-4 medium Apples (Granny Smith/Golden Delicious), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2-3 tbsp Butter
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 tbsp Spice Mix (Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice)
Pecan Crunch Topping:
- 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/4 tsp Freshly Grated Nutmeg
- 5 tbsp Cold Butter
- 2/3 cup Whole Pecans
- 1/2 cup Crushed Ginger Snaps (Optional)
Instructions
- Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash sweet potatoes, wrap individually in foil, and bake for 50 minutes or until soft. Unwrap and cool.
- Caramelize the Apples: While yams cool, peel and slice apples. Melt butter in a pan over low-medium heat. Add apples, ⅓ cup brown sugar, and the ½ tbsp spice mix. Cook until apples soften and caramelize slightly.
- Prepare Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk ¾ cup brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse, dry oatmeal. (Stir in optional crushed ginger snaps here).
- Assemble: Peel and slice cooled sweet potatoes into rounds. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange half the potato slices in the bottom. Top with the apple mixture. Add the remaining potato slices as the final layer.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the crumb topping over the casserole. Arrange whole pecans on top. (Dot with extra butter if topping looks too dry). Bake uncovered at 375°F for 35 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let sit for a few minutes to set, and serve warm.
Notes
- Bake, Don’t Boil: Baking the sweet potatoes in their skins concentrates their natural sugars and flavor, whereas boiling can make them watery.
- Apple Choice: Using tart apples like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious provides a nice contrast to the sweet potatoes.
- Extra Crunch: For an extra kick of spice and texture, do not skip the optional crushed ginger snaps in the topping!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Casserole, Holiday
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
