Sweet potato butter makes great homemade holiday gifts and is perfect for slathering over biscuits, toast, your favorite bread, or even apple slices.
Sweet potato butter spread is a smooth creamy mixture of sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and fall spices that sends bread over the top. Serve this great recipe on your Thanksgiving table and you're sure to wow your guests!
You'll find it to be similar to pumpkin butter or apple butter, but with that distinctive sweet potato flavor that we love so much. It is pure perfection when spread over a hot fluffy biscuit!
If your favorite part of Thanksgiving is the sweet potato casserole or sweet potato pie, you're going to go crazy for this sweet potato butter recipe!
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Ingredient notes
- Sweet potatoes - you'll start with cooked and mashed sweet potatoes. If you can find them at the grocery stores, it's great to use the ones that are already cooked and mashed. Just be sure not to sure the type that have been seasoned and sweetened. The easiest way to make your own is to bake them whole on a baking sheet, and then scoop out the flesh and mash with a potato masher or fork in a small bowl.
- Unsweetened apple juice - if all you have is sweetened just be sure to cut back on the brown sugar a bit.
- Dark brown sugar - it creates the richest flavor, but you could certainly use light brown sugar if you prefer. You could also use maple syrup for even more fall flair.
- Spices - We developed this recipe using cinnamon, cloves and ginger. If you like something different, ground nutmeg for example, you should feel free to experiment with the spices of your choice.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
How to make it
- Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan over medium high heat. Reduce the heat as soon as it is thoroughly heated and then simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- If any lumps remain you can process in a food processor (or use an immersion blender) to get it totally smooth.
- Store in an airtight container (or several smaller ones) refrigerated, for up to one week.
While you're mind is on all things fall and Thanksgiving you'll want to check out Fried Turkey Breast. It's perfect for when you need just a little more turkey, or need to add a few more servings to what you already have planned.
Homemade food gifts are so appreciated
Sweet potato butter is also a perfect homemade Christmas present or hostess gift! We all know that the best gifts come from the heart!
You can whip up enough for everyone on your gift list in less than 30 minutes. Find more great gift ideas here!
More uses for sweet potato butter
- Serve this creamy spread with homemade biscuits! This is the most popular biscuit recipe here - Easy Buttermilk Biscuits.
- Add a big spoonful to pancake batter for extra fall flavor - Banana Pancakes are the perfect choice!
- Serve it with your morning toast, English muffins or any bread along with other spread choices like Pineapple Preserves.
- How about a spoonful in a fall flavored soup like Red Pepper & Butternut Squash soup.
- Pour it over softened cream cheese for an easy fall appetizer.
For a fun look at this recipe, check out the web story!
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A few items you may need:
- Top rated, but affordable blender
- A food processor you are going to love
- Adorable mason jars with labels
- a more contemporary gift jar style
FAQ's
Sweet potatoes have lots of nutrients and are a good source of dietary fiber, but it is a calorie heavy food, so you want to eat in moderation.
Absolutely yes! Put it in a small jar and tie a ribbon or string around the top. It's an ideal Thanksgiving hostess gift.
The official answer is 1 week. However, we have keep ours for up to 10-11 days with no diminishing quality or taste. As always, use common sense as your judge. If it's discolored or has an odd odor, discard it.
More sweet potato recipes
- Sweet potato biscuits
- Sweet potato muffins
- Sweet potato cornbread
- Sweet potatoes - Gullah style
- Sweet potato praline pie
- Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes
📖 Recipe
Sweet Potato Butter
Ingredients
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- 1-½ cup unsweetened apple juice
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium high heat. Simmer, stirring frequently, until liquid is mostly absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- If lumps remain, blend in a food processor until smooth. Be sure to vent so steam can escape!
- Store in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to one week, or divide between 4-8 oz. sterilized jars and can to give as gifts.
Notes
- Bake and then mash sweet potatoes or buy pre-cooked and mashed if available.
- Light brown sugar can be substituted for dark brown.
- Sweetened apple juice can be used, but if so, reduce the amount of brown sugar in half.
Nutrition
If you make any of our recipes we'd love for you to leave us a comment and star rating. If you're into sharing your creations, snap a photo and tag us when you post it to Facebook or Instagram.
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Luci says
I've never made sweet potato butter, but after seeing your recipe I'm definitely giving it a try! I looks so creamy and delicious! Makes for the perfect Thanksgiving spread! How long do you recommend for storing the spread? Thanks!
Sara says
Hey there! I would recommend using it within a week if you store it in the fridge, but you can also freeze it for several months.
Kelly says
I have JUST made this and I am IN LOVE! I have purchased sweet potato butter from a local farm but I have never made it! Can you tell me the best way to freeze it? I can not let one drop of this go to waste! Alternatively, if I were to can it, would the 10 min water bath method be sufficient? That's the only one I've done with my fig preserves.
Zainab says
I've had pumpkin butter, but never sweet potato butter! This looks divine and I can't wait to try it soon!
Pam says
Hope you enjoy, Zainab!
Angela says
This is a fun gift to give. I have never had anything like it. Yum!
Pam says
We think it will be a unique gift too!
Soniya says
Sweet potato butter sounds so delicious . My family loves apple butter Can't wait to make this recipe...Thanks !
Roger says
Can I process it like apple butter in a water bath
Sunrita says
I have never heard of sweet potato butter! So easy to make and I am sure it will taste great too! What a good idea.
Pam says
Thanks so much, Sunrita!
Maria says
WOW! Never tried this as butter! This is awesome <3 and looks so yummy too
Pam says
Thanks so much Maria.
Diane says
This sounds great! Can this be processed for long time storage?
Pam says
I feel sure that it could Diane. Canning/processing has never been our thing, so we haven't test it.
Jessica Stroup says
What a fantastic idea! Absolutely love this recipe!
Emily Flint says
This sweet potato butter was so delicious! I'm so glad I found something unique to give as a gift this year.
Pam says
Hope everyone loves it!
Jenn says
This is amazing! I put it on everything from biscuits to toast, and I even made a few jars to give away. Great recipe!
Pam says
Thanks for letting us know!
Natalie says
This sounds delicious. What a great idea! I have sweet potatoes in my pantry. I will make the spread this weekend. Can't wait.
Myra says
Can’t wait to make this . I have a Question . Will Sweet potato butter spread last longer if you do a water bath
Pam says
I would think so, Myra. Preserving is the purpose of water bath canning, right? However, we have literally no experience at all, so we are not experts on the matter.
Carrie says
Okay I want to make this but when you three times it the apple juice is a weird amount what is 3 1.5 cups ?should be four and a half cups total ?
Pam says
Yes, 3 x 1.5 = 4.5 Sorry, if the calculator made it sound odd.
David P says
I've bought this before with chopped pecans in it. What would be the best time to add them to the sweet potato butter?
Pam says
Hi David, If you want your pecans in fairly large pieces I would add them after the food processor step, but if you want them more fine add them part of the way through the food processing.
Lucy says
FYI, this would be unsafe to can due to the density. Freeze or refrigerate.
Pam says
Thank you for your comment, Lucy. Our instructions and notes do say to store in the refrigerator.