If you’ve been searching for the perfect fall side dish to wow your family and friends, then this Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe will not disappoint. Imagine tender, sweet potatoes glazed in a rich, buttery caramel-like sauce infused with warm spices that create layers of cozy flavor in every bite. It’s one of those dishes that instantly feels like a celebration, combining simple ingredients into something truly special. Whether it’s a holiday dinner or a comforting weeknight meal, this recipe delivers a vibrant, sweet, and warmly spiced experience that’s sure to become a beloved classic in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role: sweet potatoes provide natural sweetness and creamy texture, butter brings richness, and the sugars deliver that signature candied glaze. The spices add warmth and depth, turning simple ingredients into a soul-satisfying dish bursting with flavor and color.
- Sweet potatoes: Four large, peeled and sliced to ensure even cooking and the perfect tender bite.
- Unsalted butter: Half a cup melts into a smooth, luscious glaze that coats every slice.
- Light brown sugar: Three-quarters of a cup adds deep, molasses-like sweetness essential to the candied effect.
- Granulated sugar: A quarter cup balances sweetness and aids in caramelization.
- Water: A quarter cup to help dissolve sugars and create the glossy sauce.
- Ground cinnamon: One and a half teaspoons, bringing warm, familiar spice that pairs beautifully with sweet potatoes.
- Ground nutmeg: A quarter teaspoon adds subtle, nutty undertones that enhance the overall flavor.
- Salt: Half a teaspoon brightens and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Pure vanilla extract: A tablespoon to infuse aromatic sweetness that lifts this dish to the next level.
- Pinch of ground cloves or ginger (optional): These spices add an extra hint of warmth and intrigue, perfect for those who love a little spice complexity.
How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s fully heated before the sweet potatoes go in. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish so the candied goodness doesn’t stick, making cleanup a breeze and your dish look irresistible when it comes out of the oven.
Step 2: Slice the Sweet Potatoes
Peeling and slicing your sweet potatoes into 1/4 to 1/2 inch rounds is key. Keeping the slices evenly thick means they’ll soften completely and cook through in perfect harmony. Layer them neatly in your prepared baking dish to maximize the surface area for that luscious glaze.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter until it’s golden and fragrant. Stir in light brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and your optional pinch of cloves or ginger. Keep stirring until the mixture bubbles gently, signaling that all those sugars have started to meld into a sticky, sweet syrup.
Step 4: Add Vanilla Extract
Remove your saucepan from heat and stir in the tablespoon of pure vanilla extract right away. Adding it off-heat preserves its delicate aroma and flavor, infusing the glaze with a subtle but unforgettable sweetness that defines this Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe.
Step 5: Glaze the Sweet Potatoes
Carefully pour the warm glaze over the sweet potato slices, ensuring each piece gets coated with the luscious syrup. The mixture’s sticky texture will cling beautifully, promising that iconic candied finish that makes this dish so irresistible.
Step 6: Bake Covered
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and pop it into your preheated oven. Baking covered allows the potatoes to steam gently and absorb the glaze’s flavors while becoming tender over 45 minutes. This slow, cozy cooking step is essential to tenderize the sweet potatoes perfectly.
Step 7: Bake Uncovered and Caramelize
After removing the foil, bake the sweet potatoes uncovered for another 20 to 30 minutes. During this time, baste them once or twice with the pan juices to deepen the glaze’s caramelization. You’ll notice the glossy, sticky surface thicken and bubble to a luscious, rich coating that screams comfort food at its best.
Step 8: Let Rest Before Serving
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This rest period allows the glaze to set slightly, making the sweet potatoes even more satisfying to serve and ensuring every bite is coated with that sticky, sweet finish you’re dreaming of.
How to Serve Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or toasted pecans adds a delightful contrast in texture and a pop of color against the rich, glossy sweet potatoes. A small dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of maple syrup can also amplify the cozy sweetness and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
This Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe pairs beautifully with savory mains like roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even a simple herb-roasted chicken. The sweet, spiced potatoes provide balance to hearty proteins and fresh green vegetables, rounding out a festive and flavorful meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving candied sweet potatoes in individual ramekins for an elegant presentation or layering them in a casserole dish topped with marshmallows for a nostalgic twist. You can even mash them slightly after baking and swirl in extra glaze for a creamy consistency with all the original flavors intact.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow leftover candied sweet potatoes to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, where the flavors will continue to meld and taste even better the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked candied sweet potatoes by placing them in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months—just be sure to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain their creamy texture.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers gently in a 350°F oven, covered with foil to keep moisture in, for about 15 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally to warm evenly without drying out the glaze or potatoes.
FAQs
Can I use fresh or canned sweet potatoes?
For the best texture and flavor, fresh sweet potatoes are preferred in this Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe. Canned sweet potatoes can be used in a pinch but may not hold their shape as well when baked with the glaze.
Is it okay to make this recipe vegan-friendly?
Absolutely! You can substitute the unsalted butter with a plant-based butter or coconut oil to keep the recipe vegan while maintaining that rich, glossy glaze that makes the dish so delightful.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare everything up to baking, cover well, and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
What spices work best besides cinnamon and nutmeg?
A pinch of cloves or ground ginger adds a warm, spicy note that beautifully complements the sweetness. Feel free to experiment with allspice or cardamom for a unique twist, but keep the quantities small to avoid overpowering the dish.
How sweet is this dish? Can I adjust the sugar?
This recipe balances sweetness and spice nicely, but you can reduce the sugars slightly if you prefer a less sweet side. Keep in mind the sugars are essential for creating that irresistible candied glaze, so don’t cut too much.
Final Thoughts
This Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe is pure heartwarming joy in every bite. It takes simple ingredients and transforms them through love, patience, and a touch of spice into a side dish you’ll look forward to making again and again. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become a cherished part of your mealtime traditions, bringing yummy smiles and cozy comfort to the table each time.
Print
Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Candied Sweet Potatoes is a comforting, sweet side dish featuring tender slices of sweet potatoes baked to perfection in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This recipe balances sweetness and spice, resulting in a luscious, caramelized topping that complements the natural earthiness of the sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4 to 1/2 inch rounds
Glaze
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of ground cloves or ginger (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into consistent rounds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Arrange the slices evenly in the prepared baking dish to maximize surface area for caramelization.
- Make the Glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and optional ground cloves or ginger. Continue stirring until the mixture begins to bubble and the sugars dissolve.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the pure vanilla extract, blending it thoroughly into the glaze for enhanced flavor depth.
- Coat Sweet Potatoes: Pour the warm glaze evenly over the arranged sweet potatoes, ensuring all slices are coated with the sugary mixture.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. This step softens the sweet potatoes and allows the flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered and Caramelize: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. Baste the potatoes once or twice with the glaze to thicken and caramelize the topping to a glossy finish.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the candied sweet potatoes to rest for about 10 minutes after baking. This lets the glaze set slightly, making serving easier and enhancing the flavor.
Notes
- Ensure sweet potato slices are of even thickness to promote uniform cooking.
- Optional spices like ground cloves or ginger add a warm, aromatic note but can be omitted if preferred.
- Use a foil cover during the initial baking to prevent the sweet potatoes from drying out.
- Basting during the final bake enhances caramelization and glaze thickness.
- Letting the dish rest after baking helps the glaze thicken and flavors to settle.
