Sweet Potatoes & Cinnamon Honey Butter for Two

Name: Sweet Potatoes & Cinnamon Honey Butter for Two
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 2 Small/Medium sweet potatoes (scrubbed and pricked all over with a knife); 4 Tbsp. Butter (salted (if using unsalted, add ¼ Tsp. of salt) room temperature); 1 Tbsp. Honey; 1 Tsp. Cinnamon; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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This is a simple and easy preparation for a sweet potato. My Sweet Potatoes and Cinnamon Honey Butter for Two is perfect for the holidays (or anytime) when I’m just serving two. I love sweet potatoes and eat them plain with just salt and pepper most of the time. We all love the kid friendly option with marshmallows, but for a cozy adult dinner for two, I’ll just add a little “love” to the butter and use that to top my baked potato. It is soooo good. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I love sweet potatoes prepared in a lot of ways so, if they are on your favorite food list too, try my Gremolata Stacked Sweet Potatoes and Nut and Seed Crusted Sweet Potato Rounds for really unique preparations. Hey, it should be fun in the kitchen!

Testimonial

“This is the best recipe. Sweet potatoes are healthy and have fiber. Using honey you will get a lower glycemic index dessert than a lot of other things especially if you boil the sweet potatoes. Yummy. Thanks for sharing your recipe.” ~ Rhonda R.

I serve these as a side dish with my Thanksgiving Menu for Two. There is so much food on Thanksgiving, sometimes just keeping preparation simple is best. Since you can make the Cinnamon Honey butter ahead of time, this makes a fast and easy dish for the holiday. The butter recipe is easily doubled or tripled. So be sure to use it at bigger events too. It can also be served with biscuits and rolls.

PRO TIP FOR KEEPING IT LIGHTER

A tip for those watching the waistline this holiday season: just use a teaspoon or two on your potato. A little portion control won’t rob you of the deliciousness but will save a ton of calories. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and delicious, so feel free to omit the butter completely and still have a great side dish. You are in charge!

If you want to lighten the recipe up, use a light butter like Land ‘o Lakes Light Butter with Canola Oil That will save you calories and cut some of the saturated fat

How to make the Cinnamon Honey Butter

In a small bowl whip the butter, honey, cinnamon and salt if using with a hand mixer until well incorporated and fluffy.

If using the pastry bag to create little swirls of butter, just place the bag in a tall glass and fold down the bag over the sides of the glass. This will make filling the piping bag easier. Spoon your whipped butter into the bag and push down towards the tip. Twist the bag and squeeze out little mounds of the butter using the tip of your choice. I use a star tip for a pretty presentation.

You can pipe these right on top of the potatoes or, like I do, pipe them onto a small plate and freeze them for at least 30 minutes. You an then put these right in a covered container and keep in the freezer until ready to use. This makes this a great thing to do well in advance.

Remember, this is totally optional. You can scoop the butter into a small ramekin and serve on the side or scoop up the butter and top the potatoes before serving for a rustic, unfussy look. You decide.

How to make sweet potatoes & Cinnamon Honey Butter for two

To get started, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Wash your potatoes well and prick them all over with a knife. This will allow the steam to escape while roasting and will keep the potatoes from exploding in your oven.
Place the potatoes right on an oven rack or on a baking sheet in the middle the oven. Note: Sugar will escape through the little knife cuts and can drip in the oven, so putting them on a foil lined baking sheet will make cleanup much easier.
Bake for one hour to one hour 15 minutes until soft and completely cooked through.

Remove the potatoes from the oven and slice down the middle. Gently squeeze open creating a cavity and top with the honey cinnamon butter you made earlier. Serve and enjoy.

Frequently asked questions and answers for making baked sweet potatoes with cinnamon & honey butter

1. What temperature should I bake sweet potatoes at?

Bake sweet potatoes at 425 degrees F for the best results. This temperature creates a caramelized exterior while keeping the interior fluffy and moist. Lower temperatures like 375 degrees F take longer and can result in drier potatoes, while higher temperatures may burn the outside before the inside is fully cooked.

2. How long does it take to bake a sweet potato?

Medium sweet potatoes (6-8 oz) take 35-45 minutes at 425 degree F. Large sweet potatoes (10-12 oz) need 50-60 minutes. Small sweet potatoes (4-6 oz) are done in 25-35 minutes. The potato is ready when it yields to gentle pressure and feels soft throughout.

3. Should I wrap sweet potatoes in foil when baking?

No, don’t wrap sweet potatoes in foil. Foil creates steam, which makes the skin soggy and prevents proper caramelization. Baking directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet allows the skin to crisp up while the inside becomes perfectly tender.

4. How do I know when a baked sweet potato is done?

A baked sweet potato is done when it gives slightly to gentle pressure and a knife or fork easily pierces through the center with no resistance. The skin may also start to pucker slightly, and natural sugars may begin to caramelize and bubble out.

5. Do I need to poke holes in sweet potatoes before baking?

Yes, poke 8-10 holes around the sweet potato with a fork or the tip of a paring knife before baking. This prevents the potato from bursting in the oven due to steam buildup. The holes should be about 1/4 inch deep and evenly spaced around the potato.

6. How long does cinnamon honey butter last?

Cinnamon honey butter lasts up to 1 week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. For best quality, bring it to room temperature before serving to restore its creamy texture.

7. Can I make cinnamon honey butter ahead of time?

Yes, cinnamon honey butter can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Store it covered in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. The flavors actually improve after sitting for a few hours as the cinnamon fully incorporates.

8. What’s the ratio of butter to honey in cinnamon honey butter?

For two servings, use 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) softened butter, 1-2 tablespoons honey, and 1/2 – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. This creates a balanced sweetness that complements the sweet potato without being overpowering.

9. Why does my cinnamon honey butter separate or become grainy?

Separation happens when the butter is too cold or the honey is too thick. Make sure your butter is at room temperature and soft before mixing. If your honey is crystallized, warm it slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Mix ingredients slowly to prevent breaking the emulsion.

10. Can I use salted or unsalted butter for cinnamon honey butter?

Use unsalted butter for the best flavor control. Salted butter can make the mixture too salty and compete with the honey’s sweetness. If you only have salted butter, reduce any additional salt in your recipe and taste as you go.

11. What type of cinnamon works best – Ceylon or Cassia?

Ceylon cinnamon provides a more delicate, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with honey, while Cassia cinnamon offers a stronger, more traditional “cinnamon roll” taste. For this recipe, Ceylon cinnamon creates a more refined flavor, but regular grocery store cinnamon (usually Cassia) works perfectly well.

12. How do I make cinnamon honey butter fluffy without powdered sugar?

Whip the softened butter for 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer before adding honey and cinnamon. This incorporates air and creates a light, fluffy texture. You can also add a splash of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor and help with the fluffy consistency. You might want to try maple extract too – yum! I don’t add extra sugar into my butter. I find the honey does the job and provides the right amount of sweetness.

13. Can I use something other than honey to sweeten the butter?

Absolutely! Try maple syrup, agave or powdered sugar. For a sugar free option, use a sugar-free powdered sugar like Lakanto monk fruit sugar substitute.

Did you like this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and rating. I’d love to hear from you. If you like sweet potatoes, be sure to try some of my other favorite sweet potato recipes.

Sweet Potato Souffle with Crunchy Streusel Topping

Whipped Roasted Garlic Sweet Potatoes

Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup with Brittle