Our Sweetest Sweet Potato Recipes (2024)

Home Recipes Ingredients Vegetables Potatoes Sweet Potatoes

Our Sweetest Sweet Potato Recipes (1)Lisa KaminskiUpdated: Nov. 29, 2023

    Pumpkin who? We're loving these sweet potato desserts.

    In fall, pumpkin seems to get all the hype, but we encourage you to turn your focus to another orange-hued ingredient: sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes and yams are full of earthy flavor and subtle sweetness. They also add moisture to desserts—not to mention their natural taste goes so well with fall spices.

    So what are you waiting for? Pull out a peeler or pull out a can of sweet potatoes for these sweet potato desserts.

    1/14

    Sweet Potato Pie

    Cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla add flavor to this classic sweet potato pie. You can use store-bought pie crust as a base or make our Test Kitchen’s favorite butter pie pastry.

    Go to Recipe

    2/14

    Sweet Potato Pound Cake

    Pumpkin pound cakes get all the love this time of year, but sweet potato is such a welcome swap when it comes to seasonal cakes. A few cups of mashed sweet potato adds moisture and color to this fall-spiced cake.

    Go to Recipe

    3/14

    Fried Sweet Potato Pies

    Yes, you can use Thanksgiving leftovers to make sweet potato desserts! This fried pie recipe uses mashed sweet potatoes as a filling. Fry them up in a skillet and serve as a day-after Thanksgiving treat.

    Go to Recipe

    4/14

    Classic Sweet Potato Pie

    There’s something so cozy about desserts made in a cast-iron skillet—including this pie. This rustic recipe comes together easily thanks to canned sweet potatoes and a favorite spice blend: pumpkin spice. And if you’re new to skillet pies, learn how to bake a pie in a cast-iron skillet.

    Go to Recipe

    5/14

    Raisin Sweet Potato Cookies

    Cozy up to the fire with a plate of satisfyingly sweet cookies that taste like home. They’re filled with sweet potatoes, pecans, raisins and other fall spices. They’re a great accompaniment to a cup of coffee or chai.

    Go to Recipe

    6/14

    Taste of Home

    Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump Cake

    We love dump cakes because they don’t require much effort to deliver delicious results. Just combine cake mix, canned apple pie filling, canned sweet potatoes and a few extras in a 13×9″ pan to make this treat.

    Go to Recipe

    7/14

    Mini Sweet Potato Pies

    Press pie crust into a mini muffin tin for these compact treats. A sprinkling of streusel adds sweetness and crunch.

    Go to Recipe

    8/14

    Holiday Sweet Potato Cheesecake

    When it comes to sweet potato desserts, this one might be the most lush. This recipe is made with a graham cracker crust. Then a layer of classic cheesecake filling is added; it’s then topped with a velvety sweet potato filling. Combined, you get a treat everyone will be lining up for at your next celebration.

    Go to Recipe

    9/14

    Gingersnap Sweet Potato Praline Pie

    Gingersnaps form the base for one of our top-rated sweet potato desserts. Fill this crust with a velvety sweet potato mix and top with plenty of toasted pecans for the ultimate fall treat.

    Go to Recipe

    10/14

    Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars

    Take a break from pumpkin and stir up one of our reader-favorite sweet potato desserts. These cream cheese-based bars can be made a day in advance and stashed in the fridge. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.

    Go to Recipe

    11/14

    Sweet Potato Tartlets

    These tartlets are a great shortcut dessert to make at Thanksgiving. Use premade phyllo cups and fill them with a sweetened filling and top with a mini marshmallow.

    Go to Recipe

    12/14

    Sweet Potato Pone

    Pone is a versatile dish that can be served as a side (have you tried our corn pone yet?) or dessert. This sweet potato version is sweetened with sugar and gets a boost of flavor from orange zest, cinnamon and nutmeg.

    Go to Recipe

    13/14

    Southern Sweet Potato Pie

    Sweet potato pie is popular in the South. This version is wonderfully rich thanks to a bit of evaporated milk and butter. Top with homemade whipped cream.

    Go to Recipe

    14/14

    Billie’s Southern Sweet Potato Cake

    Cream cheese frosting is the perfect topper for this fall-flavored cake. It pairs so well with sweet potato, cinnamon, ginger and allspice.

    Go to Recipe

    Originally Published: July 17, 2019

    Our Sweetest Sweet Potato Recipes (16)

    Lisa Kaminski

    Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.

    Our Sweetest Sweet Potato Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the sweetest sweet potato to eat? ›

    Which sweet potato is the sweetest? Sweetest is subjective but relatively speaking, Garnets and Hannahs are mildly sweet. Purple and Jewels are moderately sweet and the Japanese variety tend to be the sweetest.

    What enhances flavor of sweet potato? ›

    Dice the sweet potato, and leave the skins on. Then toss the chunks in a splash of tamari, oil, and maple syrup, and then dust heavily with chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Roast at 400 Fahrenheit for about 30-50 minutes, or until the potatoes begin to crisp up.

    Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

    TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

    What are the 4 types of sweet potatoes? ›

    Types of sweet potatoes
    • Beauregard. Though the name might give off an air of poshness, this is the most common variety in the United States. ...
    • Jewel. These have a lighter skin than Beauregards and a similarly colored flesh. ...
    • Garnet. ...
    • Murasaki. ...
    • Okinawa. ...
    • Sweet potato recipes from Voraciously:
    Sep 24, 2021

    Which is sweeter a yam or sweet potato? ›

    Sweet potatoes tend to have a more tapered shape and may be firm or soft with thinner skin. Generally, sweet potatoes taste sweeter than yams. You will more readily encounter sweet potatoes during your regular grocery run, but if you spot a yam, which may be labeled "sweet potato," you'll know the truth.

    Why do I feel good after eating sweet potato? ›

    Because they are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins and fibre, sweet potatoes help the body to process the carbohydrates gradually, thus releasing the sugar slowly and keeping you happier for longer.

    Why do I feel better after eating sweet potato? ›

    Along with anti-inflammatory properties, sweet potatoes have plenty of gut-friendly fiber, especially if you eat the skin. They are a mixture of soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and balance glucose, and insoluble fiber, which helps keep your bowels healthy and regular.

    What tastes better boiled or baked sweet potatoes? ›

    Why You Should Bake Sweet Potatoes Instead. While boiling makes sweet potatoes tender, it doesn't help much with their flavor. Most dishes that call for boiled sweet potatoes would be improved if you used roasted or baked sweet potatoes.

    What are the tips and tricks of sweet potatoes? ›

    Selection and storage tips: Choose firm, small- to medium-sized potatoes with smooth skin. Avoid cracks, soft spots and blemishes. Choose sweet potatoes with a bright, uniform color. Store them in a cool, dark, dry place for use within two to three weeks or at room temperature for up to a week.

    Why do my sweet potatoes not taste sweet? ›

    So if you want a sweet, sweet potato, you have to cook it until it reaches 135–170°F (57–77°C). And you want to keep sweet potatoes in that range for as long as possible. That will maximize how sweet the potatoes taste.

    What can I add to sweet potatoes? ›

    Additional Seasoning Suggestions
    1. Spicy. Add a 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to kick things up a notch.
    2. Herb. Add 1 teaspoon dried thyme, basil, or Italian seasoning.
    3. Parmesan. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the top of your roasted sweet potatoes for a delicious finish.
    4. Ground Cumin. ...
    5. Garlic Powder. ...
    6. Brown Sugar.
    Mar 8, 2024

    Why is boiling not good for sweet potatoes? ›

    Bake, don't boil

    Baking sweet potatoes caramelizes their natural sugars, especially when done whole. It intensifies their flavor and creates a richer taste compared to boiling, which can result in a watered-down, bland flavor.

    Should I peel sweet potatoes before boiling? ›

    There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

    Why are my sweet potatoes still hard after baking? ›

    The Squeze Test - When you are wondering if your baked sweet potato recipe is done, give the sweet potato a little squeeze (with an oven mitt on!). If your baked sweet potato feels tender, it is likely ready. If it still feels firm, I'd put it back in the oven for another 15 minutes. Expert tip!

    Which sweet potato has the most sugar? ›

    New kawogo had the highest total sugar content (16.1%) while Dimbuka had the lowest (6.52%). ... ... was the major sugar in all the sweetpotato varieties with values ranging from 5.79% (Dimbuka) to 14.42% in New kawogo.

    Which is sweeter red or white sweet potatoes? ›

    White sweet potatoes may have higher levels of some minerals, such as potassium and magnesium. Red sweet potatoes tend to be sweeter than white sweet potatoes, with a slightly more intense flavor. White sweet potatoes have a milder flavor and may be slightly less sweet.

    Are white or orange sweet potatoes sweeter? ›

    The white sweet potato has a slightly more crumbly and dry texture than an orange sweet potato and a slightly less sweet flavor. White sweet potatoes won't have as much beta carotene content, but they're still a good choice nutritionally.

    What are the three types of sweet potatoes? ›

    Sweet potatoes actually belong to the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae (that means lots of pretty flowers!). The most common varieties in the U.S. are the Beauregard (the most widely grown cultivar), the jewel, and the garnet (also sometimes known as red yams).

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Carmelo Roob

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6136

    Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

    Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Carmelo Roob

    Birthday: 1995-01-09

    Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

    Phone: +6773780339780

    Job: Sales Executive

    Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

    Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.