Cranberry Apple Twice Baked

Featured in: Sweet Comforts

This dish features tender twice-baked sweet potatoes filled with a warm mixture of diced apples and cranberries, gently spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and sweetened with maple syrup. The filling is combined with mashed sweet potato flesh for a balanced texture, then baked again until golden and heated through. Optional pecan topping adds a delightful crunch, making it a cozy, colorful side perfect for fall and holiday meals.

Updated on Sun, 23 Nov 2025 14:13:00 GMT
Golden Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, warm and spiced, perfect for a cozy fall meal. Pin
Golden Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, warm and spiced, perfect for a cozy fall meal. | panpatriot.com

Cozy, colorful, and loaded with sweet, tart, and spiced flavors, these twice-baked sweet potatoes are a perfect fall and holiday side dish.

I enjoy making these twice-baked sweet potatoes because they bring warmth and festive flavors to every meal.

Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes: 4 large sweet potatoes
  • Filling: 1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled and diced, 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, Salt to taste
  • Optional Topping: 1/3 cup chopped pecans, Additional maple syrup for drizzling

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub sweet potatoes, pat dry, prick all over with a fork, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 50 minutes or until fork-tender.
Prepare Filling:
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced apple and cranberries. Sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 6 minutes, until apples are softened and cranberries begin to burst. Remove from heat.
Prepare Potatoes:
Once sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch border inside the skins for structure.
Mash Filling:
In a bowl, mash the sweet potato flesh. Add the apple-cranberry mixture and maple syrup. Stir gently until just combined do not over-mash some texture is ideal.
Fill Potatoes:
Spoon the filling back into the sweet potato skins. Sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired, and drizzle with a little extra maple syrup.
Bake:
Return the filled potatoes to the oven and bake for 10 12 minutes, until heated through and tops are golden. Serve warm.
A close-up of vibrant Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, topped with pecans and drizzled maple syrup. Pin
A close-up of vibrant Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, topped with pecans and drizzled maple syrup. | panpatriot.com

This recipe always brings my family together; we love sharing these warm sweet potatoes during holiday meals.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, skillet, mixing bowl, potato masher or fork, spoon

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter) and tree nuts (pecans optional). For dairy-free or vegan use plant-based butter. For nut-free omit pecans. Always double-check ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 240 Total Fat: 5 g Carbohydrates: 45 g Protein: 2 g per serving

Savory, baked Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, a vegetarian side dish bursting with flavor and color. Pin
Savory, baked Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, a vegetarian side dish bursting with flavor and color. | panpatriot.com

These twice-baked sweet potatoes make a flavorful and comforting side perfect for any fall gathering.

Recipe Questions

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, prepare up to the filling step, refrigerate, and bake just before serving to maintain freshness and flavor.

What type of apples work best for the filling?

Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples are ideal as they hold their shape and add a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.

Is it possible to make this without nuts?

Absolutely, simply omit the pecans from the topping to keep it nut-free.

How do I achieve a good texture in the filling?

Mash the sweet potatoes gently and stir the apple-cranberry mixture just until combined to keep some texture in the filling.

What is the best way to bake the sweet potatoes?

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 45–50 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork, ensuring the skins remain firm for filling.

Can I substitute the butter for a dairy-free option?

Yes, plant-based butter works well to keep the dish dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.

Cranberry Apple Twice Baked

Twice-baked sweet potatoes stuffed with a cinnamon-spiced apple and cranberry filling, topped with pecans.

Prep duration
15 min
Cooking duration
60 min
Total duration
75 min

Category Sweet Comforts

Difficulty Easy

Origin American

Yield 8 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegetarian, Gluten-free

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes

01 4 large sweet potatoes

Filling

01 1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled and diced
02 ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
03 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 2 tablespoons maple syrup
05 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 Salt, to taste

Optional Topping

01 ⅓ cup chopped pecans
02 Additional maple syrup, for drizzling

Directions

Step 01

Bake Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Scrub sweet potatoes, dry, prick with a fork, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until tender.

Step 02

Prepare Filling: While potatoes bake, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apple and cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 minutes until apples soften and cranberries start bursting. Remove from heat.

Step 03

Scoop Potato Flesh: Once cool enough to handle, halve the sweet potatoes lengthwise. Scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a ¼-inch border inside the skins for structure.

Step 04

Combine Filling: Mash the sweet potato flesh in a bowl. Gently fold in apple-cranberry mixture and maple syrup, maintaining some texture.

Step 05

Stuff Potatoes: Spoon the filling back into potato skins. Optionally sprinkle with chopped pecans and drizzle with extra maple syrup.

Step 06

Final Bake: Return stuffed potatoes to the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until heated through and tops are golden. Serve warm.

Necessary tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Potato masher or fork
  • Spoon

Allergy information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with healthcare providers if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (butter) and tree nuts (pecans, optional). For dairy-free or vegan, use plant-based butter. For nut-free, omit pecans.

Nutrition facts (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Calories: 240
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Protein: 2 g