Description
This Sweet Potato & Cranberry Gratin is a delightful festive dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of tender boiled sweet potatoes and tart cranberries are combined with a creamy cinnamon-spiced mixture, topped with melted Gruyère cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs. Baked until golden and bubbly, this gratin offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, making it an irresistible side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Fruits
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Dry Ingredients & Spices
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to warm up while you prepare the ingredients, ensuring it reaches the ideal temperature for baking your gratin.
- Boil the sweet potatoes: Place the sliced sweet potatoes in a large pot and boil them until they become tender, which should take about 10-15 minutes. This helps achieve a soft texture inside the gratin.
- Drain and layer: Drain the cooked sweet potatoes thoroughly. In a greased baking dish, spread half of the sweet potato slices evenly to form the first layer.
- Add cranberries: Sprinkle half of the fresh cranberries over the sweet potato layer, adding a tart contrast to the sweetness.
- Prepare cream mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Pour half of this mixture evenly over the layered sweet potatoes and cranberries to soak the layers and add flavor.
- Repeat layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining sweet potatoes and cranberries. Then pour the rest of the cream mixture on top, ensuring even coverage.
- Add topping: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese and breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the gratin. This will create a golden, crispy crust when baked.
- Bake the gratin: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and bubbly, indicating the cheese has melted and the gratin is cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set. Serve warm as a delicious side for your festive meal.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for the best tart flavor; frozen can be used but thaw and drain excess moisture.
- Gruyère cheese can be substituted with Swiss or mozzarella for a different cheesy flavor.
- For a crunchy topping, mix the breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter before sprinkling.
- This dish can be prepared a few hours in advance and baked just before serving.
- Adjust cinnamon and brown sugar quantities to taste for more or less sweetness and spice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sweet Potato Gratin, Cranberry Gratin, Holiday Side Dish, Festive Recipe, Gruyere Cheese, Baked Side Dish
