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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Gently bring the liquid to a soft boil, continuously stirring until the sugar completely dissolves into a silky, glossy syrup.
- Carefully peel sweet potatoes and slice them into uniform, delicate rounds approximately 1/4-inch thick.
- Select a generously buttered baking dish and strategically layer the sweet potato slices, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Pour the luxurious spiced syrup directly over the potato rounds, meticulously coating each slice with the rich, glistening mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
- Enhance the dish’s depth by stirring in fragrant vanilla extract, infusing a subtle warmth throughout the sweet potato layers.
- Optional: Sprinkle mini marshmallows across the surface and return to the oven for a final 5 minutes, creating a golden, puffy topping.
- 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