Cranberry Apple Twice Baked

Featured in: Thanksgiving Classics

This comforting dish features twice-baked sweet potatoes filled with a warm blend of diced apples, tart cranberries, butter, and cozy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The sweet potato flesh is mashed and combined gently with the fruit mixture and maple syrup, then spooned back into the skins. Optional pecans add crunch, while an extra drizzle of maple syrup boosts sweetness. Baked again until heated through and golden, it’s a colorful, flavorful side perfect for fall or holidays. The textures balance softness and slight bursts from cranberries, offering sweet, tart, and spiced notes in every bite.

Updated on Sat, 22 Nov 2025 16:14:00 GMT
Golden-brown Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, bursting with fall flavors and served warm. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, bursting with fall flavors and served warm. | yummywithmia.com

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

This recipe has become a favorite in my family during the colder months because it combines comforting sweetness with a touch of tartness that everyone enjoys.

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 and bake sweet potatoes:
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 sweet potato shells:
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 filled potatoes:
Return the filled potatoes to the oven and bake for 10 12 minutes, until heated through and tops are golden. Serve warm.
Delicious Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, topped with pecans, ready to enjoy as a flavorful side. Save to Pinterest
Delicious Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, topped with pecans, ready to enjoy as a flavorful side. | yummywithmia.com

My family loves gathering around this dish during holidays, sharing stories as we enjoy the warm flavors together.

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 and sweet Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, a comforting American vegetarian recipe to savor. Save to Pinterest
Savory and sweet Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, a comforting American vegetarian recipe to savor. | yummywithmia.com

This recipe is a fantastic way to bring warm seasonal flavors to your table with minimal effort.

Cranberry Apple Twice Baked

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

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cooking Duration
60 minutes
Overall Time
75 minutes
Created by Mia

Recipe Type Thanksgiving Classics

Skill Level Easy

Culinary Origin American

Total Output 8 Portion Size

Dietary Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly, Gluten-Free

What You'll Need

Sweet Potatoes

01 4 large sweet potatoes

Filling

01 1 medium Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
02 ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
03 2 tablespoons 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

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Bake Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Scrub sweet potatoes, pat dry, prick them all over with a fork, then arrange on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 02

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

Step 03

Scoop Sweet Potato Flesh: Once cool enough to handle, cut sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a ¼-inch border inside the skins to maintain structure.

Step 04

Mix Filling: In a mixing bowl, mash the sweet potato flesh. Fold in the apple-cranberry mixture and maple syrup gently, retaining some texture without over-mashing.

Step 05

Fill and Top Potatoes: Spoon the filling evenly back into sweet potato skins. Optionally, sprinkle with chopped pecans and drizzle extra maple syrup on top.

Step 06

Bake Filled Potatoes: Return filled halves to the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until heated through and tops are lightly golden. Serve warm.

Tools Required

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

Allergy Warnings

Please review individual ingredients for potential allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter) and tree nuts (pecans, optional). For dairy-free or vegan use plant-based butter; omitting pecans eliminates nut allergen.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for reference only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Calories Count: 240
  • Fats: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 45 grams
  • Proteins: 2 grams