Description
Sweet Potato Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional cookies, bringing together the natural sweetness and earthy flavor of sweet potatoes with warm spices. These cookies are soft, chewy, and incredibly moist, thanks to the addition of sweet potato puree. With hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, they evoke the cozy feelings of fall and holiday baking. Perfect for sharing or enjoying with a warm cup of tea, these cookies are not only a treat for your taste buds but also a great way to sneak some extra nutrition into your dessert!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes: The star ingredient that adds moisture and sweetness.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and a tender texture.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies.
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed: Adds depth of flavor and moisture.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice.
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg: Complements the sweet potatoes with a hint of earthiness.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Optional mix-ins: Chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or raisins for added flavor and texture.
Instructions
STEP 1: PREHEAT THE OVEN
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking and helps achieve that perfect golden color on the cookies.
STEP 2: PREPARE THE SWEET POTATOES
If you haven’t already, cook your sweet potatoes. You can bake, steam, or microwave them until tender. Once cooked, mash them until smooth and set aside to cool slightly. You’ll need about 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes for this recipe.
STEP 3: MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a lighter cookie.
Add the mashed sweet potatoes, egg, and vanilla extract to the mixture, blending until well combined. The sweet potatoes should be smooth to ensure an even texture in your cookies.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
STEP 4: ADD THE MIX-INS
Fold in any optional mix-ins you’d like to include, such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit. This is where you can get creative and customize the cookies to your liking!
STEP 5: FORM THE COOKIES
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave about 2 inches of space between each dough ball, as the cookies will spread while baking.
STEP 6: BAKE THE COOKIES
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly golden. The centers may look a bit soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
STEP 7: COOL AND ENJOY
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set and prevents them from breaking apart.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Baking Time: 15-20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 2g