Description

There’s something undeniably comforting about sweet potatoes baked with the warm flavors of maple and vanilla. Vanilla Maple Sweet Potato Layers transforms simple sweet potatoes into a creamy, flavorful, and visually stunning side dish. Perfect for cozy family dinners, weekend gatherings, or any time you want a comforting and elegant dish, this recipe combines tender sweet potato slices with a rich maple-vanilla sauce and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Its golden layers and subtle sweetness make it a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, grains, or as a stand-alone comfort food favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup brown sugar
Optional: chopped pecans for topping

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Peel and thinly slice the sweet potatoes to roughly 1/4-inch thickness.
In a medium bowl, whisk together maple syrup, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
Arrange a layer of sweet potato slices in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping them. Drizzle a portion of the maple-vanilla mixture evenly over the layer. Continue layering until all sweet potatoes and syrup mixture are used, finishing with a drizzle on top.
In a small bowl, combine heavy cream and brown sugar until smooth. Pour evenly over the layered sweet potatoes.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25–30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown.
Optional: sprinkle chopped pecans over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking for added crunch.
Allow the dish to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For even slices, use a mandoline slicer.
Canned sweet potatoes can be used as a shortcut; drain and pat dry before layering.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream with plant-based alternatives.
Sweet potatoes can be assembled a day in advance and baked just before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60–65 minutes