Sizzling Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe For Cozy Meals

Southern life brims with comfort when these candied sweet potatoes arrive at the dinner table, promising warm memories and rich flavors.

Generous amounts of butter melt into golden-brown edges, creating a delectable caramelized surface.

Generations have cherished this classic side dish that speaks directly to southern culinary traditions.

Maple syrup and brown sugar dance together, producing a glossy, irresistible coating.

Cinnamon whispers subtle warmth through each tender bite, connecting you to cherished kitchen moments.

Crisp pecans add delightful crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft potato beneath.

Every forkful carries nostalgia and pure southern hospitality.

Y’all are going to love how simple yet spectacular this recipe can be.

Candied Sweet Potatoes That Bring a Taste of the South

• Elevate Home Cooking: Create a restaurant-worthy side dish that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering experience.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Requires basic kitchen skills with straightforward steps anyone can master, making it perfect for novice and experienced cooks alike.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Delivers nostalgic southern warmth that connects generations, bringing families together around the dinner table with its irresistible sweet and spicy notes.
• Versatile Holiday Showstopper: Works brilliantly as a classic thanksgiving side or special occasion dish that impresses guests while feeling wonderfully homemade and authentic.

Candied Sweet Potatoes (Southern Style) What You’ll Need

• Sweet Potatoes: Fresh, orange roots perfect for creating a classic Southern dessert.

• Butter: Rich base for creating a luxurious sweet coating.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create smooth syrup.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement sweet potato's natural flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the dessert's taste.

• Mini Marshmallows: Adds a golden, fluffy layer for extra indulgence.

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Cooking Steps

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Kickstart your cooking adventure by setting the oven to a cozy 350°F. Get ready for some sweet potato magic!

Step 2: Prep Sweet Potato Slices

Grab your sweet potatoes and transform them into beautiful, uniform rounds. Peel carefully and slice each potato into delicate 1/4-inch circles that will absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 3: Create Magical Syrup

• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Water

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves and creates a rich, glossy syrup.

Step 4: Layer Sweet Potatoes With Syrup

Transfer your potato slices into a greased baking dish. Pour the warm syrup generously over each slice, ensuring every piece gets a luxurious coating.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and let it bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes until the sweet potatoes become tender and the syrup turns wonderfully bubbly.

Step 6: Add Final Touches

Stir in vanilla extract for an extra layer of warmth. If you’re feeling indulgent, sprinkle mini marshmallows on top and return to the oven for 5 minutes until they turn golden and puffy.

Step 7: Serve And Savor

Allow the dish to cool slightly, then serve this Southern comfort classic. Each bite promises a symphony of sweet, caramelized flavors that will transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen!

Sweet Potato Tips That Nail Southern Candied Style

• Select Sweet Potato Perfection: Choose firm, medium-sized sweet potatoes without bruises or soft spots for the best texture and flavor.
• Slice with Precision: Cut sweet potato rounds evenly to ensure uniform cooking and consistent caramelization across all pieces.
• Control Syrup Consistency: Simmer the syrup slowly to create a rich, thick coating that will beautifully glaze the sweet potato slices without becoming watery.
• Marshmallow Magic: For a perfectly golden marshmallow topping, watch carefully during the final broiling stage to prevent burning and achieve a gorgeous caramelized finish.
• Serve at Ideal Temperature: Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking, which helps the syrup set and makes serving easier without losing delicious, gooey texture.

Preserve Candied Sweet Potatoes Just Right

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping them cool and fresh in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, preserving for 2-3 months without losing flavor.
• Warm individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly.
• Place sweet potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, restoring their original delicious texture and keeping marshmallows crisp.

Southern Sweet Potatoes Nostalgic Matches

• Pair with Bourbon Vanilla Cream: Whip heavy cream with a splash of bourbon and vanilla extract to complement the sweet potato's caramelized richness and add a sophisticated adult twist.
• Complement with Spiced Pecan Crunch: Scatter toasted pecans seasoned with cinnamon and brown sugar over the dish to provide a delightful textural contrast and enhance the Southern-style flavor profile.
• Match with Apple Cider Sangria: Create a festive drink blending crisp apple cider, white wine, and cinnamon sticks that mirrors the sweet potato's warm spices and creates a harmonious culinary experience.
• Serve alongside Maple Glazed Ham: The sweet potato's caramelized syrup beautifully balances the savory, smoky notes of maple glazed ham, creating a classic Southern comfort food combination.

Zucchini Boats Savory Combos

• Vegan Sweet Potato Bliss: Replace butter with coconut oil and use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a plant-based version that maintains rich, caramelized flavors.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and swap traditional marshmallows with allergen-friendly alternatives for those with dietary restrictions.
• Low-Sugar Sweet Sensation: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to create a diabetic-friendly recipe that still delivers incredible sweetness and depth.
• Spiced Autumn Remix: Add ground ginger and cardamom to the syrup mixture for a warm, complex flavor profile that enhances the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.

FAQs

• What makes Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes different from regular sweet potato dishes?

These potatoes are cooked in a rich, caramelized syrup that creates a deeply sweet and sticky coating, transforming a simple vegetable into a decadent Southern dessert-like side dish.

• Are these sweet potatoes healthy despite being sugary?

While they contain sugar, sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients like vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, making them a more nutritious dessert option compared to many traditional sweets.

• Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

No, regular potatoes won’t work. Sweet potatoes have a natural sweetness and softer texture that’s crucial for this recipe, and they absorb the caramel syrup much better than white potatoes.

• How do I know when the sweet potatoes are perfectly cooked?

The sweet potatoes are done when they’re tender when pierced with a fork and have a golden, slightly caramelized edge, with the syrup bubbling around the edges of the baking dish.

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sweet, buttery Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes elevate comfort food with caramelized richness and nostalgic Southern charm. Warm spices and golden brown sugar create an irresistible side dish that brings family gatherings to life with one delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds (about 907 grams)

Sweeteners:

• 1 cup brown sugar (200 grams)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Additional Liquid:

• 1 cup water (237 milliliters)

Optional Topping:

• Mini marshmallows

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Instructions

1. Prepare the sugary caramel liquid by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then incorporate brown sugar, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a splash of water.
2. Gently bring the liquid to a soft boil, continuously stirring until the sugar completely dissolves into a silky, glossy syrup.
3. Carefully peel sweet potatoes and slice them into uniform, delicate rounds approximately 1/4-inch thick.
4. Select a generously buttered baking dish and strategically layer the sweet potato slices, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
5. Pour the luxurious spiced syrup directly over the potato rounds, meticulously coating each slice with the rich, glistening mixture.
6. Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil and transfer to a preheated oven at 350°F, allowing the potatoes to simmer and absorb the flavors for 30 minutes.
7. Remove the foil and continue roasting, letting the edges caramelize and the syrup transform into a thick, sticky glaze for an additional 15-20 minutes.
8. Enhance the dish’s depth by stirring in fragrant vanilla extract, infusing a subtle warmth throughout the sweet potato layers.
9. Optional: Sprinkle mini marshmallows across the surface and return to the oven for a final 5 minutes, creating a golden, puffy topping.
10. Allow the candied sweet potatoes to rest briefly before serving, letting the intense flavors meld and intensify.

Notes

• Slice sweet potatoes evenly to ensure uniform cooking and consistent caramelization across all pieces.
• Use fresh, firm sweet potatoes with smooth skin for the best texture and sweetness in the final dish.
• Opt for dark brown sugar to enhance deeper, richer caramel notes and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Adjust baking time based on potato thickness and desired level of caramelization, checking tenderness with a fork during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern (American)

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 45g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 59g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg