Sweet Potatoes Anna Casserole

Name: Sweet Potatoes Anna Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup walnut halves, finely chopped (about 3 ounces); 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), plus more for coating the dish; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon packed, finely grated orange zest (from about half of a large orange); 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; Pinch freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

Potatoes Casserole Christmas Thanksgiving French Southern Dinner Party Vegetarian Cinnamon Spices Brown Sugar Maple Syrup Sweet Potato Side Dish Holidays Fall Vegetables Easy

Save (205)

Rate

6 servings Easy

Total: 30 mins, plus 45 mins baking time Active: 20 mins

2 Ratings

Ingredients (9)

1 cup walnut halves, finely chopped (about 3 ounces)
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), plus more for coating the dish
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon packed, finely grated orange zest (from about half of a large orange)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

Try Amazon Fresh

Nutritional Information

Calories355
Fat17.0g
Saturated fat5.76g
Trans fat0.31g
Carbs48.97g
Fiber5.57g
Sugar22.59g
Protein4.64g
Cholesterol20.35mg
Sodium247.77mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (6 servings) Powered by

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

In the classic French repertoire, pommes Anna are regular potatoes, peeled, sliced thin, and cooked in a buttered pan on the stovetop until tender and crisply crusted. That’s essentially how this holiday twist begins—as a mass of peeled and thinly sliced sweet potatoes. Only here, the butter’s mixed with maple syrup, orange zest, and a little cinnamon, and it bakes like a casserole, packed in a dish with a layer of walnuts and brown sugar in the center, and another on top. You top with foil and bake in a hot oven, then uncover to brown and crisp the surface.

Special equipment: It’s not absolutely necessary, but a mandoline slicer ensures thin, even sweet potato slices.

For more inspiration, check out our Baked Ginger Sweet Potatoes, Baked Sweet Potato with Molasses-Clove Butter, and Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

by Jill Santopietro

Tips for Christmas

Tip

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

1 of 3

Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Tip

What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.

2 of 3

Next: How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Tip

How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.

3 of 3

Next: Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

Instructions

1Heat the oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with butter; set aside. Place the walnuts and brown sugar in a small bowl and stir until combined; set aside. Peel the sweet potatoes. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, slice into even 1/8-inch-thick rounds; set aside.
2Place the remaining ingredients in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the butter has melted and the mixture is combined. Remove from heat, add the sweet potato slices, and stir until evenly coated. Taste a sweet potato and add more salt and pepper as needed.
3Place half of the potato slices in an even layer in the prepared dish, overlapping as needed. Sprinkle with half of the walnut–brown sugar mixture. Place the remaining sweet potato slices in the dish, along with any remaining juices from the saucepan. Sprinkle with the remaining walnut–brown sugar mixture.
4Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, rotate the dish, and cook until the top is browned and the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes more.

Load Comments

Recommended from Chowhound

How to Make the Easiest and Best Cottage Pie

(07:47)

Video from CHOW-TO

In this episode of Chow-to, Guillermo visits a Greenwich Village institution for all things English, Tea and Sympathy. He meets with Nicky Perry (owner and founder) to learn her family’s easy recipe for beef shepherd’s pie (which technically in modern British English is a cottage pie). No matter what you call it, this quarantine-friendly comfort dish uses some ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and will make you feel cozy all year round. This is an excellent way to make something delicious and inexpensive (you only need ground meat, potatoes, carrots and frozen peas!) that will last for a couple of days, making it perfect for cooking during lockdown.