If you’re searching for a warm, comforting treat that brings a delightful twist to your cookie game, this Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies come packed with the natural sweetness and moist texture of mashed sweet potatoes, combined with a touch of cinnamon warmth and crunchy pecans that make each bite an irresistible experience. Perfect for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings, these cookies blend familiar flavors with a unique ingredient that adds both nutrition and a beautiful golden hue. You won’t believe how effortlessly these come together and how quickly they disappear once baked!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity and the way each ingredient plays a starring role. From the mellow sweetness of brown sugar to the rich creaminess of melted butter, every element works in harmony to create a cookie that’s tender, flavorful, and utterly addictive.
- Light brown sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to keep the cookies soft.
- White sugar: Brings a touch of classic sweetness and helps with that perfect cookie crunch.
- Baking soda: The leavening agent that ensures the cookies rise just right and stay tender.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that holds everything together and gives structure.
- Cooked, mashed sweet potatoes: The secret star adding natural sweetness, moisture, and a gorgeous color.
- Large eggs: Help bind the dough and add richness to each bite.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Infuses a buttery flavor and keeps the cookies delightfully soft.
- Vanilla extract or flavoring: Enhances all the sweet flavors with a warm, inviting aroma.
- Chopped pecans: Provide a satisfying crunch and nutty contrast to the soft cookie.
- Optional toppings: Additional chopped pecans and turbinado sugar for a decorative, crunchy finish.
How to Make Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Everything
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and won’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the light brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, and flour. Mixing these beforehand assures an even distribution of sweetness and rise throughout the cookies.
Step 3: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients
Add the cooked, mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry mix. Stir everything together gently until just combined—overmixing can make the cookies tough, and we want them tender and soft.
Step 4: Add the Crunch
Fold in the chopped pecans for bursts of nutty flavor and delightful texture contrasts. These nuts elevate the cookies from ordinary to impressive without overpowering the sweet potato’s essence.
Step 5: Shape and Top
Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet. For an extra touch of charm and crunch, sprinkle additional chopped pecans and a light dusting of turbinado sugar on top before baking.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookies turn a lovely golden brown around the edges. The smell that fills your kitchen during this step is pure magic. Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, letting them firm up just right.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a pretty presentation, garnish these cookies with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or even a pinch of cinnamon on top. The subtle garnish highlights the natural beauty of sweet potatoes and sets a festive tone for sharing.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm cup of chai tea, a creamy latte, or even a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. The warmth and spices of the drink or cream complement the earthiness of the sweet potato cookie perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider stacking the Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe as little cookie towers secured with a ribbon for gifts or parties. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies together with a layer of cream cheese frosting or marshmallow fluff for a decadent twist that’s sure to impress any crowd.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature where they will stay soft and fresh for up to three days—although, they usually get eaten far sooner!
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three months, making it easy to enjoy this Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe anytime you crave a treat.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop the cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for about five minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds. Reheating recaptures their soft texture and enhances all the lovely flavors.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of cooked fresh ones?
Absolutely! Canned sweet potatoes work well and save time, just make sure to drain any excess liquid and mash them smoothly for the best cookie texture.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can substitute it with a gluten-free flour blend in a one-to-one ratio to make a gluten-free version.
What if I don’t have pecans? Can I use other nuts?
Definitely! Walnuts, almonds, or even chopped hazelnuts make excellent alternatives, offering similar crunch and nuttiness.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for golden brown edges and a slightly firm top. The cookies should still feel soft in the center but not doughy. They will firm up more as they cool.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just bring it to room temperature before scooping and baking to ensure even cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe is a joyful way to bring something new and wonderful to your baking routine. Whether you’re making them for a holiday treat or a comforting snack, their sweet, nutty flavor and soft, chewy texture will quickly make them a household favorite. So gather these simple ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let the sweet potato magic happen—you won’t regret it!
Print
Sweet Potato Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully soft and flavorful Sweet Potato Cookies made with mashed sweet potatoes, warm spices, and crunchy pecans. These cookies combine the natural sweetness and moisture of sweet potatoes with a perfect blend of sugars and vanilla, creating a comforting treat ideal for any season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or flavoring
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Optional: chopped pecans and turbinado sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone baking mat and set it aside to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the light brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, and all-purpose flour until evenly blended. This will form the base of your cookie dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Nuts: Stir in the cooked mashed sweet potatoes, room temperature eggs, melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and chopped pecans. Mix until all the ingredients are well integrated, forming a soft cookie dough.
- Portion Dough onto Baking Sheet: Using a small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. If desired, sprinkle additional chopped pecans and turbinado sugar over the top of each dough ball for extra texture and sweetness.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookies turn a beautiful golden brown color indicating they are perfectly cooked.
- Cool and Store: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the mashed sweet potatoes are well cooked and cooled before mixing to avoid altering the dough texture.
- The cookies can be customized by adding spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth and flavor.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with seeds.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookie size and even baking.
- To store longer, these cookies can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw before serving.
