Honestly, it’s hard to think of Homemade Sweet Potato Bake as anything other than a dessert. Look at it! Those caramel-y sweet potatoes sweetened up with dark brown sugar and seasoned with just a little touch of cayenne pepper, mashed until smooth and fluffy. And then on top, there is actual meringue! Fluffy with just a touch of crunchy-on-the-outside meringue! Well, we aren’t ones to question good fortune; if Homemade Sweet Potato Bake wants to be a side dish, we certainly aren’t complaining!
Ingredients
For the sweet potatoes:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus more, to taste, for greasing the baking dish
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 large whole eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the meringue:
- 4 large egg whites
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 3-quart broiler-safe baking dish using the extra butter.
Step 3 –On a baking sheet, add the sweet potatoes and roast until tender, about 1 hour-1 hour 10 minutes.
Step 4 –Transfer the sweet potatoes from the oven and cut a slit in the top of each of the sweet potatoes.
Step 5 –Let the sweet potatoes cool, about 15 minutes.
Step 6 –Scoop out the sweet potato flesh, transfer the flesh to a food processor, and discard the skins.
Step 7 –Process the sweet potato flesh until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.
Step 8 –Add the remaining 1/4 cup of the melted butter, the brown sugar, the nutmeg, the cayenne pepper, the whole eggs, and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla to the sweet potato purĂ©e and pulse until fully incorporated, about 3-4 pulses.
Step 9 –Season the sweet potato mixture with the salt and the black pepper.
Step 10 –Transfer the sweet potato mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Step 11 –Bake until the potatoes are set, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 12 –Let the casserole stand, about 10-15 minutes.
Step 13 –In a stainless-steel mixing bowl, add the egg whites, the sugar, and the cream of tartar and whisk to combine.
Step 14 –Make a double boiler by adding a little water to a saucepan, and bring it to a simmer.
Step 15 –Set the stainless-steel bowl over the simmering water (not touching the water) and whisk the egg mixture constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the whites are very warm to the touch, about 3-4 minutes
Step 16 –Transfer the bowl from the heat.
Step 17 –Beat the egg mixture with an electric mixer on low speed, gradually increasing the speed to high until glossy and soft peaks form, about 4-6 minutes.
Step 18 –Add the remaining vanilla to the egg white mixture and beat to combine.
Step 19 –Place an oven rack in the middle position.
Step 20 –Preheat the broiler.
Step 21 –Evenly spread the meringue mixture over the cooled sweet potatoes.
Step 22 –Broil the casserole until the meringue is browned, about 30-60 seconds.
Step 23 –Serve.
