Discover how to make the best homemade Sonker, a beloved dessert from North Carolina! This sweet and juicy cobbler-style treat is packed with fruit and topped With golden, buttery crust—perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in. Easy, authentic, and irresistibly comforting!
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 4-5 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for a slightly clearer sauce)
- 1/4 cup water
For the Crust (Biscuit-style):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes)
Optional “Dip” or “Slop”:
- 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Pastry blender or fork
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Peeler
- Knife
- Cutting board
Instructions with Step-by-Step Pictures:
1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
- Peel the sweet potatoes.
- Slice the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
2. Make the Sweet Potato Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla extract. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour (or cornstarch) and water until smooth. This will help thicken the sauce.
- Pour the flour/water mixture over the sweet potatoes and toss again to combine.
- Pour the sweet potato mixture into the 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Make the Biscuit Crust:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Some small pea-sized pieces of butter are okay and contribute to flakiness.
- Add the buttermilk (or milk mixture) and stir until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough will be slightly shaggy.
4. Assemble and Bake the Sonker:
- Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the sweet potato filling. You don’t need to cover it completely; some filling peeking through is part of the charm of a sonker.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. The filling should be bubbling.
- Let the sonker cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly.
5. Prepare the Optional “Dip” or “Slop” (While the sonker cools):
- In a small saucepan, combine the milk or half-and-half and granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is just simmering around the edges. Do not boil.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of nutmeg.
6. Serve:
- Serve the warm sweet potato sonker in bowls.
- Generously spoon the warm “dip” or “slop” over each serving.
Tips and Variations:
- Other Fillings: Feel free to substitute the sweet potatoes with other fruits like blackberries, peaches, apples, or a mix. Adjust sugar and spices to complement the fruit.
- Crust Variations: Some sonker recipes use a thinner, more pastry-like crust. You can adapt your favorite pie crust recipe if preferred.
- Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling or sprinkle on top of the crust before baking for added texture and flavor.
- Sweetness Adjustment: Adjust the amount of sugar in the filling and dip according to your preference and the sweetness of your sweet potatoes.
- Don’t Overmix the Crust: Overmixing the biscuit dough will result in a tough crust. Mix just until combined.
- Serving: Sonker is traditionally served warm with the “dip,” but it’s also delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy your homemade sweet potato sonker! It’s a comforting and rustic dessert perfect for any occasion.
