Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are a classic comfort food dish that combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with a rich, buttery glaze. This dish is perfect for holiday gatherings or as a side for a cozy family dinner.
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Baking dish (9x13 inch)
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Measuring cups
- 1 Measuring spoons
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 Aluminum foil (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes About 2 pounds
- 1 cup brown sugar Packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1-inch thick rounds or cubes, ensuring they are of uniform size for even cooking.
- In a large pot, combine the water, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sweet potatoes to the pot and stir to coat them evenly with the glaze.
- Transfer the sweet potatoes and the glaze into a greased baking dish, arranging the sweet potatoes in a single layer if possible.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the sweet potatoes from drying out.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the foil and gently stir the sweet potatoes.
- After 30 minutes, check the sweet potatoes for tenderness. If necessary, return them to the oven uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes, checking frequently.
- Once done, serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
For added flavor, you can sprinkle in some chopped pecans or marshmallows during the last few minutes of baking.
This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven before serving.
Adjust the amount of sugar if you prefer a less sweet dish.