Sweet potato crisp is a dessert worth savoring! With its base of sweet potato slices and delicious, crispy cookie topping, this dessert is comfort food at its best!
What is Sweet Potato Crisp?
Apple crisp often takes the spotlight when classic desserts are considered; however, another dessert is equally delightful and deserves its time in the limelight: Sweet Potato Crisp. This delicious treat is easy to make and is a go-to dessert to add to your repertoire. Simple and satisfying, Sweet Potato Crisp is a versatile and irresistible dessert option.
What is the Difference Between a Crisp and a Crumble?
A crisp and a crumble are desserts made with fruit and a streusel topping. The only distinction between the two desserts is that a crisp traditionally meant that oats were added to the topping. Over the years, crisps were made without oats, and the lines blurred between the two desserts. To further confuse the two, there are many crumble recipes with oats.
The other difference between a crisp and a crumble is where the terms are used. The name crisp is often used in the US, while the name crumble is often used in Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.
The bottom line is that a fruit and streusel dessert can be called a crisp or crumble, made with or without oats, and is just as sweet, whichever name is used.
Sweet Potato Crisp is Easy to Prepare
Sweet Potatoes
One of the appeals of a sweet potato crisp is its straightforward preparation. Unlike some desserts that require advanced cooking techniques, this dessert keeps it simple. The sweet potatoes are cut raw, eliminating the need for pre-cooking. It’s important to note that sweet potato skins can be more difficult to peel and slice compared to white potatoes, so a little extra care is needed in this step.
Irresistible Sweet Potato Crisp Topping
The topping of sweet potato crisp is reminiscent of shortbread cookies. It can be easily mixed by hand or quickly processed in a food processor. Its crusty, sweet texture adds a delightful contrast to the tender sweet potatoes. In fact, the topping is so delicious that it might make you reconsider using regular pie dough in other recipes.
No Bottom Crust Needed
Unlike traditional pies, sweet potato crisp forgoes a bottom crust. However, the delectable topping more than makes up for the absence of a bottom crust. With each bite, you’ll appreciate the perfect balance of sweet potatoes and the crunchy topping, making you forget all about the missing bottom crust.
Year-Round Sweetness
Although considered a fall dessert, sweet potato crisp isn’t limited to the fall season. Thanks to the availability of sweet potatoes year-round in most locations, this dessert can be whipped up anytime. Whether you prefer to enjoy it warm straight out of the oven or chilled for later, the sweet potato crisp is a delightful treat. Plus, it reheats beautifully in the microwave, making it a convenient option for a quick, sweet indulgence.
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Sweet Potato Crisp
Equipment
- 10-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 4 heaping cups sliced and peeled sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup half and half
- ¼ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Peel and slice the sweet potatoes and place them in a medium-sized shallow baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
- Pour the melted butter, vanilla extract, and half and half over the sweet potato slices and stir to coat. Next, evenly distribute the potatoes around the baking dish. Then, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over them.
- Pulse the flour, granulated sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor until well blended. Cut the butter into small pieces, spread it over the dry ingredients, and blend until the mixture is crumbly (see Topping note below). If you do not have a food processor, stir the dry ingredients together and then work in the butter by hand to blend.
- Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the potatoes are tender. Place a sheet of aluminum foil over the baking dish (during the last 10-15 minutes) if the crisp starts browning too much.