Description
Classic Candied Sweet Potatoes feature tender, thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This comforting side dish is perfect for holiday dinners or cozy family meals, delivering sweet, caramelized flavors with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
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 ground cloves or ginger (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/4 to 1/2 inch rounds, ensuring thickness is consistent for even cooking. Arrange the slices evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and the optional spices. Continue stirring until the mixture comes to a gentle boil and is well combined.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the glaze with flavor.
- Pour Glaze over Sweet Potatoes: Evenly pour the warm glaze over the arranged sweet potato slices, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. This step allows the sweet potatoes to soften and absorb the glaze.
- Bake Uncovered and Caramelize: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. Baste the sweet potatoes once or twice during this time to thicken and caramelize the glaze until it is bubbly and glossy.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the dish from the oven and let the candied sweet potatoes rest for 10 minutes to set the glaze before serving.
Notes
- For uniform cooking, slice sweet potatoes evenly between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick.
- Covering the dish during the first part of baking helps potatoes cook through without drying out.
- Optional spices like ground cloves or ginger add a warm depth to the glaze.
- Basting the sweet potatoes during the final baking stage enhances caramelization and flavor.
- Letting the dish rest helps the glaze thicken and improves presentation.
