If you’re craving a dish that combines rich warmth, comforting sweetness, and a touch of spice, this Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe is going to win your heart. Imagine tender slices of sweet potatoes swimming in a luscious buttery sauce, enhanced by vanilla and a beautiful blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. It’s the kind of recipe that turns any mealtime into a cozy celebration and makes your kitchen smell absolutely irresistible. Trust me, once you try this Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe, it will become a beloved staple on your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Each one plays a vital role, from the buttery richness to the warm spices that give the dish its signature flavor and inviting aroma.
- Sweet potatoes (4 pounds): The star of the dish, providing natural sweetness and a hearty, tender texture.
- Butter (1/2 cup, melted): Adds richness and helps create that glossy, flavorful glaze.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Gives classic sweetness and helps caramelize the potatoes beautifully.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Introduces a deeper, molasses-like note to balance the flavors.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings a lovely fragrant warmth that elevates the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds a comforting spice that feels like a hug in every bite.
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Offers subtle earthiness to enhance the overall complexity.
- Ground ginger (1/4 teaspoon): A gentle zing that brightens and lifts the sweetness perfectly.
How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Sweet Potatoes
Start by setting your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s nice and ready when your dish is prepared. Peel the sweet potatoes carefully, then slice them evenly into half-inch thick rounds. This thickness ensures each slice becomes tender without falling apart during baking. Arrange these slices neatly in a 9×13-inch baking dish to make sure they cook evenly.
Step 2: Make the Candied Sauce
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. This mixture is where the magic starts—it combines creaminess, sweetness, and warm spices that will coat the sweet potatoes beautifully. Once it’s mixed well, generously spoon this sauce all over the sweet potatoes, making sure every slice is kissed with that luscious glaze.
Step 3: Bake Covered for Moist, Tender Potatoes
Cover your baking dish tightly with foil and pop it into the oven for 30 minutes. Covering traps steam, which helps soften the sweet potatoes while infusing them with the sugary spiced sauce. This step ensures that the potatoes get wonderfully tender and soak up every bit of the rich flavor.
Step 4: Uncover and Baste for Caramelized Goodness
After the initial bake, carefully remove the foil—watch out for the steam! Spoon the sauce that has collected on the bottom of the dish back over the sweet potatoes. This basting helps develop a beautiful, caramelized coating once they finish baking. Then, return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for another 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce is deliciously sticky.
Step 5: Let the Flavors Rest Before Serving
After baking, take the dish out and let the sweet potatoes sit for about 10 minutes. Resting allows the glaze to thicken slightly and the flavors to settle, making every bite a perfect balance of sweet, buttery warmth and spice.
How to Serve Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped pecans or toasted walnuts adds a lovely crunch and nutty contrast to the tender sweetness. For a fresh pop of color and flavor, a scattering of fresh chopped parsley or a few dried cranberries can be delightful. These garnishes transform the dish from simple to stunning in seconds.
Side Dishes
This Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or baked chicken for a comforting, hearty meal. For a vegetarian option, serve alongside a green salad or roasted Brussels sprouts to balance the sweet richness with fresh, earthy flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try scooping the candied sweet potatoes onto individual plates and drizzle any remaining sauce on top for a restaurant-style presentation. For a festive twist, you can layer the potatoes in a casserole dish and top with mini marshmallows, then broil briefly for a melting, golden-crisp finish that’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover candied sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making the leftovers even more delightful.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover candied sweet potatoes in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Be sure to cool completely before freezing and leave some room at the top to allow for expansion.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. This helps the potatoes retain their texture and the sauce to re-caramelize beautifully. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the best taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh or canned sweet potatoes for this recipe?
Fresh sweet potatoes are best since they hold their texture better and soak up the candied sauce more effectively. Canned sweet potatoes tend to be softer and might become mushy during baking.
Is it possible to make this dish vegan?
Absolutely! Substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and replace brown sugar with a vegan brand. The spices and sweetness will still shine beautifully.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of a holiday meal?
Yes, you can assemble everything and keep it covered in the refrigerator before baking on the day of the meal. Bake as usual and add an extra few minutes if the dish is cold from the fridge.
What can I do if I don’t have all the spices on hand?
Ground cinnamon alone can carry the flavor well if you’re missing nutmeg or ginger. However, the combination of all spices creates the signature warmth that makes this recipe special, so try to include them whenever possible.
How do I know when the sweet potatoes are done?
They should be fork-tender but not falling apart. When a fork slides easily into the slices and the edges are starting to caramelize, you know they’re perfectly cooked.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe enough if you want to bring something truly comforting and satisfying to your table. Its blend of simple ingredients creates magic that warms the soul and delights the palate every single time. So go ahead, give it a try—you’ll soon find it impossible to go without this cozy, sweet dish in your recipe collection.
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Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic recipe for Candied Sweet Potatoes delivers tender, sweet, and warmly spiced slices of sweet potatoes baked to perfection with a buttery, sugar-spiced glaze. Enhanced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, these sweet potatoes make a comforting and flavorful side dish perfect for holidays or any cozy meal.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes
Glaze
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel the sweet potatoes carefully, then slice them into 1/2-inch thick rounds for even cooking and an appealing presentation. Arrange the slices evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the Glaze: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger until fully combined to create a rich and aromatic glaze.
- Coat the Potatoes: Spoon the glaze mixture all over the sweet potato slices in the baking dish, ensuring each slice is nicely covered for maximum flavor absorption during baking.
- Initial Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This allows the potatoes to start softening and absorb the sweet spices.
- Uncover and Glaze: Carefully remove the dish from the oven, take off the foil, and spoon the melted glaze from the bottom of the dish back over the sweet potatoes to enhance the coating and caramelization.
- Final Bake Uncovered: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let the candied sweet potatoes rest for 10 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the glaze to thicken and flavors to meld perfectly.
Notes
- You can use fresh or thawed frozen sweet potatoes based on availability.
- For a deeper caramel flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.
- Adjust the spices to preference; adding a pinch of clove or allspice can add complexity.
- This dish pairs excellently with roasted meats or as part of a holiday feast.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days and reheated gently.
