Ingredients
- ½ cup mashed sweet potato (roasted or microwaved)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional toppings and mix-ins: ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, ½ cup dark or white chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare sweet potato by roasting until tender or microwave until soft; mash smooth and let cool.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy and pale.
- Add the mashed sweet potato, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture; mix well until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep cookies soft.
- Using a rounded tablespoon, scoop dough onto the prepared baking trays, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- If desired, press a pecan half on top of each cookie or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or fold in chocolate chips or nuts into the dough before scooping.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set and golden but centers remain soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to finish setting, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
For gluten-free cookies, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, no other changes needed., Chill dough for up to 2 days before baking to enhance texture and flavor., Cookies continue to cook on the hot baking sheet after removal from oven; remove when edges are set but centers are still soft to avoid overbaking., To make a vegan version, use vegan butter and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, chilled 5–10 minutes)., Browned butter can be used for a nutty caramel flavor; brown butter, let cool, then chill before creaming with sugars., Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, refrigerate up to a week, or freeze up to 2 months., Freeze dough balls on tray until solid, then transfer to bag and bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time., Reheat cookies in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes or microwave for 10–12 seconds to refresh softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: American Favorites, Holiday Cuisine
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Approximately 120 calories per cookie (estimate, varies by ingredient brands)
- Fat: 5g per cookie (estimate)
- Carbohydrates: 18g per cookie (estimate)
- Protein: 2g per cookie (estimate)