Maple Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a kind of aspect dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Appears to be like connoisseur, tastes wonderful, and it’s nonetheless simple to make. Skinny slices of candy potatoes are layered and baked in a creamy maple sauce with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Because it bakes, the sauce bubbles and thickens, the perimeters of the candy potatoes flip golden, and the entire pan turns into utterly irresistible.

For a fast model of the normal, attempt my weeknight scalloped potato recipe.

Why My Recipe

• Candy and creamy and flavorful due to actual maple syrup, cinnamon, and cream.
• Appears to be like fancy however is tremendous easy to make with easy-to-find substances.
• No shortcuts or canned soup right here simply actual entire meals goodness from begin to end

This recipe is all about preserving issues easy with out giving up taste. I skip the canned soup and make a fast cream sauce from scratch, utilizing maple syrup (the true type), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s simple to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (when you have any) are simply nearly as good the subsequent day. It’s a kind of sides that makes you need to return for seconds, and possibly even thirds!

Ingredient Notes

• Candy Potatoes: Search for medium-sized candy potatoes with the orange flesh. Slice them about 1/8-inch thick for even cooking. A mandoline makes this a lot quicker, however a pointy knife works too.
• Salted Butter: In the event you’re utilizing unsalted butter, simply add an additional pinch of salt to the sauce.
• All-Function Flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: You should utilize half-and-half in a pinch, however the sauce might be thinner.
• Entire Milk: Balances out the richness of the cream. Keep away from utilizing skim or low-fat milk for finest outcomes.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Use actual maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Pancake syrup is way too candy.
• Floor Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Only a pinch of every provides taste with out overpowering the dish.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness of the maple.
• Salted Butter (for topping): Dotting the highest with a number of items of butter helps every little thing brown and bubble up fantastically.
• Chopped Pecans (optionally available): Provides a bit crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Recent Thyme Leaves (optionally available): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of coloration and a bit earthy taste that goes very well with the maple.

Slicing Candy Potatoes

It’s vital that your candy potato slices are all roughly the identical thickness. Your purpose is slices about 1/8-inch thick.

A mandoline slicer is a favourite device for this. It’s quick, simple to make use of, and provides you tremendous constant outcomes.

A sharp knife works nice too. It takes a bit extra time, however so long as you slice fastidiously and goal for a similar thickness, you’ll be simply nice.

A meals processor with a slicing blade is one other nice possibility. It does all of the give you the results you want and is very useful if you happen to’re making a giant batch.

In case your field cheese grater has a slicer aspect, that may work simply nice. It’s not fairly as exact, however it’ll nonetheless get the job achieved. Simply make do with what you’ve gotten.

Variations and Add-ins

There’s nonetheless room to make this recipe your individual. Nothing sophisticated, however choices to change issues up.

For a extra savory herby taste, sprinkle in some contemporary chopped rosemary or sage with the cream sauce.

You might additionally sprinkle a little bit of shredded gruyère or parmesan cheese excessive for a salty, tacky end. Simply needless to say cheese will brown quicker, so it’s possible you’ll need to loosely tent with foil close to the top of baking.

Baking Dish Dimension Choices

This recipe is written for the standard 9×13-inch baking dish, however it’s simple to adapt for any pan. In relation to casserole dishes (not rectangular), you’ll want a 3-quart dish. Simply examine for doneness by inserting a knife into the middle. It ought to slide in simply with no resistance.

For a smaller batch, you possibly can halve the recipe and bake it in an 8×8 or 9×9-inch dish. Keep watch over it close to the top of baking since thinner layers might prepare dinner a bit quicker.

Pecans and Thyme Elective

The chopped pecans and contemporary thyme on high are utterly optionally available, however they do up the flowery issue. The pecans give a bit crunch and a nutty distinction to the creamy potatoes, whereas the thyme provides the herby taste that balances the sweetness.

In the event you’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be happy to depart them off. However if you happen to’re making this for a vacation or need to fancy it up a bit, these remaining touches make it really feel a bit extra connoisseur.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter may look like a small step, however it performs an vital function in how the dish bakes. Because the butter melts, it helps forestall the highest layer of candy potatoes from drying out by including moisture and fats.

It additionally promotes even browning and caramelization on the floor, due to the milk solids and sugars naturally current in butter. This provides the dish a extra golden coloration and a littl additional taste.

Make Forward Directions

This can be a improbable dish to make forward, particularly in the course of the holidays. To prep upfront, assemble your complete dish as directed, however cease earlier than baking. Cowl tightly with foil and refrigerate for as much as 24 hours.

Whenever you’re able to bake, let the dish sit out at room temperature for about half-hour whereas the oven preheats. Bake as directed, including an additional 5 to 10 minutes if wanted to make sure it’s heated throughout.

Serving Recommendations

This dish suits proper into any vacation feast, however it’s simply as at house on our Sunday dinner desk. Serve it alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a juicy pork loin.

It additionally goes nicely with easy vegetable sides like inexperienced beans, Brussels sprouts, or an arugula salad. Add a basket of heat brioche rolls or cornbread and also you’ve received a meal that’s able to impress.