Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin Recipe
A comforting and festive Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin featuring tender sweet potatoes layered with fresh cranberries, creamy cinnamon-spiced sauce, and topped with melted Gruyère cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs. This baked dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tart flavors ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Fruits
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Dry Ingredients and Spices
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the gratin.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: In a large pot, boil the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes until tender, which should take about 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare First Layer: Drain the sweet potatoes well, then layer half of them in a greased baking dish to form the base of the gratin.
- Add Cranberries: Evenly sprinkle half of the fresh cranberries over the layer of sweet potatoes to add a tart contrast.
- Make Cream Mixture: In a bowl, combine the heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper, mixing thoroughly. Pour half of this mixture over the layered sweet potatoes and cranberries.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining sweet potatoes, cranberries, and cream mixture to build up the gratin.
- Top with Cheese and Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese and breadcrumbs evenly over the top layer for a rich, golden crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly, indicating that the gratin is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the gratin to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and to make slicing easier.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Gruyère cheese can be substituted with sharp cheddar or mozzarella for different flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free version, replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed nuts.
- Adjust cinnamon quantity according to your spice preference for a milder or stronger flavor.
- Serve as a side dish for holiday meals or as a vegetarian main course with a green salad.
Keywords: sweet potato gratin, cranberry gratin, baked sweet potato, holiday side dish, vegetarian gratin, Gruyère cheese, cinnamon, brown sugar
