Twice-Baked Twelve-Spice Sweet Potato Mash

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting twice-baked sweet potato dish enriched with a dozen spices that highlight the cultural reverence for twelve. This american-inspired new year (vegetarian) ready in about 70 minutes pairs large sweet potatoes, unsalted butter, milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 60 min Serves 6 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pierce 3 large sweet potatoes with a fork and bake directly on the oven rack for 45 minutes until tender when pierced with a knife.
  2. Step 2: Remove sweet potatoes from the oven and let cool slightly. Cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh into a bowl, keeping the skins intact.
  3. Step 3: To the sweet potato flesh, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1/4 tsp ground allspice, 1/4 tsp ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp maple syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mash everything together until smooth and creamy.
  4. Step 4: Spoon the mashed mixture back into the sweet potato skins and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans evenly on top.
  5. Step 5: Bake at 400°F for an additional 15 minutes until the tops are golden and slightly crisp. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Twice-Baked Twelve-Spice Sweet Potato Mash take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (10 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Twice-Baked Twelve-Spice Sweet Potato Mash?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large sweet potatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Twice-Baked Twelve-Spice Sweet Potato Mash?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Twice-Baked Twelve-Spice Sweet Potato Mash for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Twice-Baked Twelve-Spice Sweet Potato Mash vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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