Easy mashed sweet potatoes flavored with maple syrup and cinnamon are perfect for holiday dinners and lighter than the usual casserole.
We host just about every holiday in our home now, so I’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out shortcuts that make it easier to get the food on the table, especially at Thanksgiving. When I was growing up, my grandmother made both mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes the traditional way, but when I took over the cooking, I started making the sweet potatoes with the marshmallows on the top — you know the one I mean, right?
Well, it didn’t take long to realize that the kids were basically scraping off the marshmallow topping and leaving the good stuff behind. So, I went back to my roots — get it? Anyway, I started making these Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes, which are not only full of flavor but also very simple to make.
The directions couldn’t be easier — really! All you do is cook the potatoes in the microwave, peel and then dress them up! I know some cooks hate microwaves, but honestly, they save a ton of time, and I need all the help I can get.
The skins should peel off easily, but they’ll be hot, so be careful. Put all of the peeled potatoes into a large bowl, add the seasonings, maple syrup and butter and mash, mash, mash away. I let my kids help with this part, and they have a lot of fun with it. I just have to be careful that they don’t get carried away because it’s not fun to clean up orange mush from the floor and counters!
I like to add another pat of butter to the top and let it just melt down the sides of the orange mound — yum.
That’s all there is to it — easy peasy, right? Just serve and enjoy. Now that I’ve cut out the marshmallows, the kids eat the sweet potatoes, and they actually enjoy them. And because this is such a quick dish, we have these a lot during the fall and winter months.
How to Make Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 large sweet potatoes scrubbed well
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1 tablespoons butter
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Arrange the sweet potatoes on a microwaveable plate
- Cook on high for about 20 minutes, or until they are very soft.
- Allow to cool slightly, slice open, and scrape insides of potatoes away from skins
- Add potatoes to a large bowl, and mash well
- Stir in butter, cinnamon, sea salt and maple syrup
- Serve immediately, or cover refrigerate and reheat when ready
Nutrition
What’s your favorite way to serve sweet potatoes, or do you even serve them during the holidays? I’m nosy, so let me know.
Thanks for dropping in — I’m glad you’re here! Have a super day!
martinealison says
Bonjour chère amie,
J'adore la purée de patate douce. J'en ai préparé ce dernier weekend pour accompagner des rognons de veau à la crème flambés au cognac.
J'épluche les patates douces puis je les fais cuire à la vapeur. Je les passe au moulin à légume puis j'y ajoute un peu de crème fraîche et de beurre. Je poivre et je sale…
Je suis certaine qu'avec l'ajout de sirop d'érable et de cannelle cela lui procure un goût aussi délicieux !
Gros bisous ☂
Dee M says
Bonjour, Martine Alison -Votre recette semble merveilleux! Mercie pour votre visite! 🙂
Susie Holler says
Hi Dee I work at a casino where they serve the best mashed sweet potatoes I have ever eaten they are like eating clouds. The head chef said a dash of vanilla and cloves to make them taste so good he cooks them with brown sugar and whips them up I want to try using maple syrup sounds awesome.Susie
Dee M says
Oh, I like the idea of brown sugar and vanilla mixed in too. I'll have to try adding these next time I make sweet potatoes. Thanks for sharing, Susie! 🙂
Elizabeth Lund says
I love, love, love sweet potatoes. They are one of my favorites, especially this time of year! Thanks for sharing.
Trish Martin says
Dee, I love sweet potatoes period. Your babies scraped the marshmallows off. Well, kids will be kids…haha. My daughter won't eat sweet potatoes. I don't know what's wrong with her. I love sweet potato souffle. I think I spelled that right. That's what I get every time I visit Boston Market. Your mash sweet potatoes looks delicious. I have never had them with the maple syrup before.
Dee M says
It's funny how these used to be a holiday dish, but we love having them whenever we can. 🙂
Dee M says
A sweet potato souffle sounds awesome, Trish! Sometimes, we use brown sugar, but I love the flavor of maple syrup. 🙂
hopeinbrazil says
I am practically addicted to sweet potatoes so I can't wait to try this. Love your site name!
Dee M says
Thanks so much for the sweet comment! It's great to meet you. 🙂
Sarah says
Yum. Sweet potatoes are my favorite, and they are sooooooo good for us!
Dee M says
I agree, Sara, and I love that something that tastes great has so many health benefits! 🙂
Jenny B @ Honey and Birch says
Love this! Great alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. 🙂 Saw them on the Foodie Fridays linkup – thank you for sharing!
Dee M says
Thanks so much for dropping in, Jennie! We try to make these instead of regular potatoes as much as possible. 🙂
Miz Helen says
Hi Dee,
Your Mashed Sweet Potatoes are just perfect for the Thanksgiving table. Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Dee M says
Thank you for taking the time to stop by, Miz Helen! 🙂