Maple-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

Warm, Caramelized Comfort for Yule and Winter Feasts

There’s something magical about simple winter foods made well — humble ingredients transformed by heat, sweetness, and patience. Sweet potatoes, maple syrup, and toasted pecans create exactly that kind of magic. This dish brings a cozy, caramelized warmth to the table, perfect for Yule celebrations, winter solstice dinners, or any night when the season calls for something nurturing and rich.

Maple-pecan sweet potatoes feel like a small luxury: soft and golden inside, crisp at the edges, infused with warm spices, and finished with a gentle crunch that tastes like the heart of the holidays. It’s a dish that glows with color, comfort, and kindness — a reminder that winter foods can be both simple and soulful.

Ingredients

For Roasted Sweet Potatoes

• 3–4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted vegan butter

• 2–3 tbsp pure maple syrup

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• ¼ tsp salt

• Black pepper, to taste

For the Maple-Pecan Topping

• ½ cup chopped pecans

• 1–2 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp vegan butter

• Pinch of cinnamon

• Optional: pinch of flaky sea salt to finish

Instructions

Roast the Sweet Potatoes

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).

2. Toss cubed sweet potatoes with oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized on the edges.

Prepare the Maple-Pecan Topping

1. In a small skillet, melt vegan butter over medium heat.

2. Add chopped pecans and cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.

3. Stir in maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon.

4. Remove from heat and allow to thicken slightly as it cools.

Combine & Serve

1. Transfer roasted sweet potatoes to a serving bowl or platter.

2. Spoon the warm maple-pecan topping over them.

3. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for contrast (optional but lovely).

Serve warm — preferably with candlelight, blankets, and good company.

* Yule Variation Ideas

• Add dried cranberries for color + tartness

• Stir in orange zest for a solstice-inspired brightness

• Add a pinch of cardamom for old-world winter spice

• Swap pecans for walnuts or pistachios