This bourbon-infused recipe offers just enough richness and subtle depth to enhance the earthy flavor of the potatoes. With a hint of orange juice to brighten the dish and pecans sprinkled on top for added crunch, each bite brings a balanced blend of warmth and comfort. Perfect as a companion to holiday roasts or as a flavorful addition to weeknight meals, this dish encourages you to appreciate the honest goodness of sweet potatoes.
This casserole avoids the cloying sweetness of marshmallows, focusing instead on the natural sugars in the potatoes and a gentle lift from bourbon. The aroma alone evokes a sense of cozy gatherings and family traditions. Plate it up, serve it warm, and savor how these layered flavors and textures come together effortlessly. With this dish, you can enjoy sweet potatoes in a whole new way—one that impresses guests and excites your palate.
Ingredients For aunt dianna’s bourbon-infused sweet potatoes
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes (about 1.8 kg)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (about 115 g)
- 1/3 cup bourbon (about 80 ml)
- 1/3 cup fresh orange juice (about 80 ml)
- 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar (about 50 g)
- 1 teaspoon salt (about 5 g)
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice (about 1 g) (a blend of cinnamon, allspice, etc.)
- 1/3 cup pecan halves (about 40 g)
How To Make aunt dianna’s bourbon-infused sweet potatoes
- Scrub the sweet potatoes. In a large pan, cover them with salted, boiling water and cook for about 35 minutes, or until they are just tender when pierced with a fork.
- Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and allow them to cool slightly before peeling.
- Place the peeled potatoes in a large bowl and mash them until smooth.
- Add the softened butter, bourbon, orange juice, brown sugar, salt, and apple pie spice to the mashed sweet potatoes.
- Use a potato masher or a spoon to blend everything until the mixture is velvety and well combined.
- Spoon the mashed mixture into a buttered 6-cup (about 1.4 liters) baking dish. Arrange the pecan halves around the edge and on top of the mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (about 180°C). Bake the sweet potato casserole for approximately 45 minutes, or until it is lightly browned on top.
As you take your first forkful of these bourbon-kissed sweet potatoes, notice how the interplay of flavors—subtle sweetness, buttery richness, and the gentle warmth of spice—invites you to embrace the comforting essence of a well-crafted side dish. This recipe pays tribute to the natural character of sweet potatoes, elevating them with a hint of bourbon’s complexity rather than overshadowing their goodness. Present it proudly at your table, and watch as friends and family savor a dish that’s equal parts traditional and refreshingly distinct. Enjoy!
