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What is Spoon Bread?
Spoonbread is a wonderfully old-fashioned dish that should not be relegated to the tables of old-fashioned cooks. It’s a perfect holiday side, a pudding-esque interpretation of grits, a softer version of cornbread, perfection alongside a roast of any kind. I didn’t grow up with it (it’s enjoyed most in the South of the U.S., and probably has roots in Native American cooking) but I’m definitely bringing it into the family repertoire now!
It’s got the slightest hint of sweetness thanks to the maple syrup (and, you know, the sweet potatoes), but remains firmly a savory side dish. You could absolutely add a bit of nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or a bit more cloves to your spoonbread for more autumnal flavor, but I happen to like the way the sweet potato’s natural flavor carries this dish, so I leave it largely unseasoned, with just a touch of cayenne and cloves.
Sweet Potato Spoonbread: A soft, fluffy, and comforting sweet potato casserole, perfect for holiday meals (hello, Thanksgiving!).
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Thanksgiving Side Dish
I can’t think of a lovelier Thanksgiving side dish. It’s a winner alongside a roasted turkey.
But don’t stop there. Sweet potato spoon bread would turn a roast chicken into a feast, with just a green salad to round things off. Maybe even a rotisserie chicken, carted home from the supermarket. Who says you have to make the whole meal? You are busy, I know. I love the concept of going “havlsies” with a meal – make the side dishes, buy the main course. Make the main course, pick up a few sides from the market or that cute specialty food store that has such a great display of salads.
How to Serve Spoon Bread
When the spoonbread first comes out of the oven it will be lovely and puffed. It will settle fairly quickly, and that’s ok – it’s not mean to be served like a soufflé, where time is of the essence. If you can get it to the table straight from the oven when it is at its most majestic, great, but really by the time you serve it up it will have settled into its delicious self anyway. And yes, serve it hot, but second helpings at room temperature are delicious.
How to Make Sweet Potato Spoonbread
Bake the sweet potatoes at 400°F for about 55 to 60 minutes, until they are very soft.
While the potatoes are cooling, combine the milk, molasses, salt, pepper, cloves and cayenne in a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Sprinkle in the cornmeal slowly, whisking all the while, until the cornmeal is all added. Continue to whisk over the heat until the mixture has thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Cool for about 10 minutes.
Peel off the skins and place the sweet potatoes in a bowl. Mash them with a potato masher until fairly smooth (or use a ricer or a fork if that’s what you have). Stir the remaining 3 tablespoons of the butter and the mashed sweet potatoes into the cornmeal mixture. Stir in the baking powder and then stir in the egg yolks.
In a bowl using a whisk or an electric mixer beat the egg whites until they just form stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the sweet-potato cornmeal mixture, just until barely incorporated.
Transfer the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25 to 35 minutes until puffed and golden brown. The middle will still have the slightest jiggle when you wiggle the pan. Serve hot.
What to Serve with Sweet Potato Spoonbread
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Easy Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
- Simple Lemon-Garlic Turkey Breast
- Simple Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Roast Eye of Round Beef with Thyme and Rosemary
Other Great Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes:
- Cornbread and Mushroom Stuffing
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
- Roasted Winter Vegetables with Sriracha Honey Glaze
- Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chorizo and Toasted Bread Crumbs
- Romaine, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad
- Spoonbread Corn Pudding (another option!)
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Sweet Potato Spoon Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 3 sweet potatoes (about 1 ¾ pounds)
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch ground cloves
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- ¾ cup finely ground cornmeal
- 4 large eggs separated
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Use 1 tablespoon of the butter to grease a rectangular or oval 2-quart casserole.
- Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork and bake them for about 55 to 60 minutes, until they are very soft. Remove the potatoes from the oven, and let sit on a wire rack until cool enough to handle.
- While the potatoes are cooling, combine the milk, maple syrup, salt, pepper, cloves and cayenne in a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Sprinkle in the cornmeal slowly, whisking all the while, until the cornmeal is all added. Continue to whisk over the heat until the mixture has thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Cool for about 10 minutes, until almost room temperature.
- Peel off the skins and place the potatoes in a bowl. Mash them with a potato masher until fairly smooth (or use a ricer or a fork if that’s what you have). Stir the remaining 3 tablespoons of the butter and the mashed sweet potatoes into the cornmeal mixture. Stir in the baking powder and then stir in the egg yolks. The batter will be quite thick.
- In a bowl using a whisk or an electric mixer beat the egg whites until they just form stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the sweet-potato cornmeal mixture, just until barely incorporated (you should still see a steak or two of egg white).
- Gently transfer the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25 to 35 minutes (depending on how deep the dish is) until puffed and golden brown. The middle will still have the slightest jiggle when you wiggle the pan. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition Information
The nutrition values are provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.
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I made this once and it was wonderful. Hot or cold. I was wondering if you thought it might freeze well?
I think the texture wouldn’t hold up so well….but I haven[t tried it so I don’t know for sure. Maybe experiment with some leftovers, and see how they do!