Roasting Is The Key To Perfectly Rich Sweet Potato Brownies

Sweet potatoes are a versatile and delicious vegetable, used in a variety of dishes and easy to meal prep. But sweet potatoes often get relegated to savory lunch and dinner preparations. So instead of relegating your leftover roasted sweet potatoes to tomorrow's lunch, why not incorporate them into a dessert? Add them to your brownie batter to make perfectly rich sweet potato brownies that won't disappoint. 

Sweet potatoes are naturally buttery and sweet, and they can replace some sugar and butter content in your next batch of brownies. However, roasting them first is the key. When sweet potatoes are roasted, the high heat brings out their natural sugars, creating a caramelized sweetness that pairs remarkably well with the decadent flavor of cocoa and chocolate. Thanks to the softness and creaminess of cooked sweet potato, each bite of your roasted sweet potato brownies will be soft and gooey. The roasted sweet potatoes also contribute essential nutrients to your brownies, boosting fiber and vitamin content.

If you've got uncooked sweet potatoes on hand, start by roasting them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until caramelized, the skin is easily peelable, and the inside is soft and tender. Depending on the size of your sweet potatoes, this can take about 45 minutes to an hour. Another way to tell they're done is when the skin naturally starts coming off of the flesh. Once the sweet potatoes are fully cooked, allow them to cool slightly before peeling the skin off and mashing them until you have a smooth puree. You can now incorporate them into your brownie batter — the overall baking process remains as straightforward as your typical and favorite brownie recipe.

From social media chefs to home bakers, many have experimented and praised the addition of sweet potato in their brownie batter. But why stop at brownies? Inventive food enthusiasts blend sweet potatoes into frostings and other sweet toppings. The next time you bake, experiment and add roasted sweet potato puree to your cookie dough or cake batters.