Iam out of control in the grocery store the week preceding a big holiday. The specials are irresistible. Doesn’t matter if nobody is coming to my house for dinner. Who can resist a turkey for 33 cents a pound or sweet potatoes for 25 cents a pound?
After Thanksgiving, I found myself with an overabundance of sweet potatoes. One of my best friends in the whole world, Debbie L., came to my rescue with her recipe for Sweet Potato Balls. I revised the recipe using fresh sweet potatoes along with a variation on the crust and a few other changes.
Admittedly, it’s a little trouble. Luckily, you can do most of the work ahead of time.
Streusel-Crusted Sweet Potato Balls
Ingredients:
2-2 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, baked, peeled and mashed
3/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows, halved
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon water
3/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Directions:
First: Bake 3-4 sweet potatoes at 400 degrees until soft. Allow to cool and refrigerate. Best if baked a day or two ahead of time. When ready to prepare, peel and mash potatoes with a fork, masher or food processor.
Second: Season with salt and pepper. Add butter and marshmallows. Refrigerate if mixture is not already cold.
Third: Mix egg whites and water with a fork. Combine pecans, oatmeal and brown sugar and spread on wax paper or a large plate.
Fourth: Make balls approximately 1/4 to 1/3 cup size. I don surgical gloves for this part. (Since I live in latex gloves all day, it’s only natural to keep a box in my kitchen drawer. They are quite useful in cooking.) Roll balls in egg whites and then the pecan-oatmeal mixture mixture.
Fifth: Spritz balls with “spray butter.” (If you don’t have this, you could pour melted butter over balls but be careful–High calorie alert!) Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until slightly brown and heated through.
Easier to serve if allowed to cool for about 30 minutes while you finish dinner.
Thanks Debbie for a memorable holiday idea.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I love sweet potatoes. These just look extremely gorgeous and delicious. They would be so good for parties. I love them. Thanks for sharing.
Those look delicious! I love sweet potatoes, but, unfortunately, I am the only one in my family who does, so I don’t get them very often.
On another note, I buy my hazelnuts in 1/2 cup packages. They are already shelled and somewhat chopped. I seldom use hazelnuts (I use more almonds and pecans) so buying them ready to use makes more sense to me. Thanks for dropping by my blog!
Thanks for adapting the recipe. Think I will try your version next time. Had not planned to make these for Christmas but yours look so good, may have to try your version.
These sweet potato balls look great and so appealing. I am not sure I have the time right now to make them but I will be putting this on my list of must do’s.
Looks very yummy, Paula (aka “Pioneer Woman II”)!!!!!!!. Can’t wait to try them.
This sounds and looks great – I am going to the store this afternoon and am getting everything to make these as part of our Christmas meal! Thanks for sharing – Debbie and Paula
Those look SO good. I love all things sweet potato! Will have to try this one for sure!
Our son-in-law is the only one in our family who likes sweet potatoes as much I do. Actually, he likes them better since he orders sweet potato fries instead of french fries (are they only in Louisiana?) Anyway, he will be surprised when I make these!
Oh my gosh, this looks amazing! I tell you your site always makes me so hungry when I’m done visiting it. Anyway, I’m making these ASAP.