Friday, October 14, 2011

Sweet Potato Oranges


With fall in full swing and Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought I'd share this recipe from my mother-in-law that she made for our meal of thanks last year.  She remembered her mother making something similar growing up, so I helped her track down a few recipes to work from and this was the result.  They were delicious and I'd say it will be hard not to make them again myself this year!    



  • 6 oranges 
  • 3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 2 eggs, lightly beatenve
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup butter, softened, divided
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • mini marshmallows, optional for topping


  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  • Prepare oranges by cutting each orange in half. Spoon out the flesh, leaving a shell.

  • In a large bowl combine sweet potatoes, sugar, orange juice, eggs, vanilla extract, 1/2 cup butter and grated orange peel. Spoon mixture into orange shells. Place in a deep casserole dish.

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, flour and pecans. Cook until sugar dissolves in melted butter. Spoon over oranges. Fill casserole dish with water about 1/4 inch deep.

  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.  If you want to add the marshmallows on top, sprinkle a few on each orange at the very end and broil quickly.  They will cook fast and burn quickly if you're not careful, so keep an eye on them.

1 comment:

  1. Angela, I'm going to make these for Christmas - can't wait to try them! Thanks for the idea.

    You know, you're right - they've been around a while. I just read Appetite for Life, the biography of Julia Child, and she made these in the 40's or 50's.

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