Try to find sweet potatoes that are uniform in size so they will bake evenly.
If you prick the potatoes with a fork before baking, bake them in a foil or parchment paper-lined baking pan.
What You'll Need
4 medium sweet potatoes, even in size
vegetable oil
butter
salt, freshly ground black pepper, and paprika or cinnamon sugar*
How to Make It
Heat the oven to 425° F (220° C/Gas 7).
Scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly and rub vegetable oil over each potato.
Arrange the potatoes on oven rack and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until tender. Remove at once and prick with a fork to let steam out.
Cut a 1 1/2-inch cross in the center of each baked sweet potato. Hold a potato with pot holder and press upwards until filling "bursts" up through the cuts.
Top with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper or paprika or a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
*Cinnamon Sugar - In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Blend well.
Tips and Variations
Top the finished sweet potatoes with shredded Swiss cheese and cooked crumbled bacon. Put them on a foil-lined baking sheet and place them under the broiler just until the cheese has melted.
Sprinkle the sweet potatoes with cinnamon sugar and put a few miniature marshmallows on each one. Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet and place them under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the marshmallows.
Cinnamon Maple or Honey Sweet Potatoes - After sprinkling each buttered sweet potato lightly with cinnamon sugar, drizzle with a teaspoon or two of maple syrup or honey.
