Cozy, sweet, and warmly spiced—this Sweet Potato Butter is a perfect spread to elevate toast, pancakes, or desserts with rich autumn flavors! This velvety smooth spread captures all the comforting essence of sweet potatoes, infused with warming spices and natural sweeteners. It’s incredibly easy to make and a delightful addition to your fall kitchen.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Sweet Potato Butter recipe is a true autumnal gem, and I absolutely adore it! What I love most is how effortlessly it transforms simple sweet potatoes into such a luscious, smooth, and incredibly flavorful spread. The combination of naturally sweet sweet potatoes with aromatic cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves creates a warm, inviting flavor profile that screams fall. Adding apple cider and maple syrup enhances the sweetness and liquid consistency, making it perfectly spreadable. It’s a healthy, wholesome, and wonderfully satisfying alternative to jams or jellies, and the aroma alone as it simmers is pure bliss. It’s fantastic on almost anything, from breakfast items to desserts, and truly a versatile star!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Sweet Potato Butter:
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- ½ cup unsweetened apple cider
- ¼ cup maple syrup (pure maple syrup recommended)
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon (ground)
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Swaps and Notes
- Sweet Potatoes: Use firm, unblemished sweet potatoes. Cutting them into uniform chunks ensures even steaming.
- Unsweetened Apple Cider: Provides liquid and a tart-sweet apple flavor that complements the sweet potato. Unsweetened apple juice can be substituted.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup offers the best depth of flavor. You can adjust the amount based on your preference for sweetness and the natural sweetness of your sweet potatoes. Honey can be substituted.
- Spices: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves is classic for pumpkin and sweet potato. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your taste, or add a tiny pinch of allspice.
- Steaming: Steaming the sweet potatoes ensures they absorb minimal water, leading to a more concentrated flavor. Boiling can also be done, but ensure they are very well drained.
- Blender/Food Processor: Essential for achieving a super smooth, velvety texture.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Sweet Potato Butter made!
- Steam Sweet Potatoes: Place the 1 pound of peeled and cut sweet potato chunks into a steamer basket over boiling water in a pot. Cover and steam for 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are very soft and easily pierced with a fork.
- Puree Sweet Potatoes: Carefully transfer the very soft sweet potatoes to a blender or food processor. Puree until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of water or apple cider to help it blend if it’s too thick, but avoid adding too much liquid.
- Combine & Simmer: Pour the smooth sweet potato puree into a medium pot or saucepan. Add the ½ cup unsweetened apple cider, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Thicken Mixture: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently until it slightly thickens to your desired consistency, usually 10-15 minutes. Stir more frequently as it thickens to prevent scorching. Remember it will thicken further as it cools.
- Cool & Store: Remove from heat and allow the sweet potato butter to cool completely at room temperature. Once fully cooled, transfer it to an airtight container (like a glass jar). Store in the refrigerator.
Tips for Success
- Steam Until Very Soft: The softer the sweet potatoes, the smoother your butter will be.
- Puree Thoroughly: Blend until absolutely smooth for the best texture.
- Don’t Over-Thicken on Stove: Remember the butter will thicken as it cools. Take it off the heat when it’s slightly thinner than your desired final consistency.
- Stir While Simmering: Stirring occasionally prevents sticking and ensures even thickening.
- Adjust Sweetness & Spice: Taste the butter after it simmers and adjust maple syrup or spices to your liking.
- Storage: Always store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Sweet Potato Butter is incredibly versatile and perfect for elevating many dishes:
- Toast & Biscuits: A delicious spread for morning toast, bagels, English muffins, or warm biscuits.
- Pancakes & Waffles: Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Oatmeal & Yogurt: Stir into oatmeal, cream of wheat, or plain yogurt for a flavorful breakfast.
- Dessert Topping: Spoon over ice cream, pound cake, or even our These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat To Bake On Repeat.
- Savory Pairings: A surprising complement to roasted pork loin or chicken.
- Sandwiches: Use as a spread in turkey sandwiches.
- For other sweet potato delights, consider our Caramelized Sweet Potatoes in Butter & Brown Sugar or Sweet Potato Ricotta Bites.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Homemade Sweet Potato Butter stores well for a natural spread!
- Refrigeration: Store cooled sweet potato butter in an airtight container (a glass jar is ideal) in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.
- Freezing: Sweet potato butter freezes very well. Pour into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving a little headspace. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use. It may require a whisking after thawing to regain full smoothness.
- Canning (Optional): For longer shelf-stable storage, follow approved canning guidelines for fruit butters (typically a water bath method after proper acidification, usually more lemon juice/acid is required).
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the sweet, comforting, and seasonal nature of this sweet potato butter, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free fall-inspired recipes and baked goods:
- For another beloved quick bread that uses fruit, try our This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way To Use Up Overripe Bananas.
- If you’re a fan of easy and delightful seasonal muffins, check out These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat To Bake On Repeat.
- For a delightful no-bake fall dessert, our This Pumpkin Delight Dessert Is My Favorite No-Bake Fall Treat is a winner.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Butter recipe is a brilliant way to capture the cozy, sweet, and warmly spiced flavors of autumn in a versatile, homemade spread. It’s perfect for elevating everyday meals or simply enjoying a touch of seasonal comfort.
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas fill your kitchen! What’s your favorite way to enjoy sweet potatoes in a creative dish? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below!
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