The Best Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe: Pure Comfort Joy

Southern candied sweet potatoes bring comfort straight to your plate with a delectable blend of sugary warmth.

Generations of cooks have perfected this classic side dish through careful technique and love.

Caramelized edges and soft, creamy centers make these potatoes irresistible at any gathering.

Butter and brown sugar create a rich glaze that transforms simple root vegetables into something magical.

Crisp autumn evenings or festive holiday tables become more inviting with this traditional southern treat.

Families across the southern United States have passed down this recipe through cherished cookbooks and whispered kitchen secrets.

You’ll want to savor every single delicious bite of this timeless comfort food.

The Secret Behind Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Bake with Minimal Fuss: This recipe requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Southern candied sweet potatoes deliver rich, sweet flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, transforming a basic side dish into a memorable treat.
• Celebrate Family Traditions: These sweet potatoes bring warmth and nostalgia to holiday gatherings, connecting generations through a classic Southern recipe that feels like a culinary hug.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Beyond holiday meals, this dish shines at potlucks, Sunday dinners, and special occasions, offering a delectable alternative to standard vegetable sides.

Ingredients That Define Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes: A classic Southern vegetable that provides a rich, sweet base for this traditional candied dish.
• Butter: Creates a smooth, rich foundation for the sweet syrup and helps caramelize the potatoes.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Combine to create a deep, rich sweetness and help form the signature caramel-like coating.

• Water: Helps dissolve the sugars and create a smooth, consistent syrup.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Add warm, aromatic flavors that complement the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the dish.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides a subtle, deep flavor that rounds out the sweetness of the candied sweet potatoes.

Preparing Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes with Flair

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C), getting ready for some sweet potato magic.

Step 2: Slice and Spread the Sweet Potatoes

Lay out your sweet potato slices in a welcoming baking dish, creating a delicious canvas.

Step 3: Craft the Magical Syrup

• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Water
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Stir the mixture until it transforms into a smooth, glistening syrup that promises deliciousness.

Step 4: Drench the Sweet Potatoes

Pour the liquid gold evenly over the sweet potato slices, ensuring every slice gets a loving coating.

Step 5: First Baking Stage

Cover the baking dish with foil and let the oven work its wonder for one hour, allowing the flavors to mingle and merge.

Step 6: Caramelize and Crisp

Remove the foil, give the potatoes a gentle stir, and return to the oven. Bake uncovered for another 20-30 minutes until the edges turn beautifully golden and the potatoes become tender and caramelized.

Step 7: Final Flavor Boost

Drizzle vanilla extract over the candied sweet potatoes, softly stirring to distribute the rich aroma. Let the dish rest for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to settle and intensify before serving.

Tips to Amplify Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes’ Taste

• Slice sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and caramelization.
• Use fresh, high-quality ground cinnamon and nutmeg for enhanced flavor depth.
• Check sweet potatoes midway through baking to prevent burning and ensure perfect tenderness.
• For a lighter version, reduce sugar quantity or substitute with honey or maple syrup.
• Serve warm for maximum deliciousness, pairing beautifully with roasted meats or holiday meals.

Flavor Variations That Enhance Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Maple Pecan Variation: Replace white sugar with maple syrup and sprinkle chopped pecans on top before baking for a nutty, rich flavor profile.
• Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use coconut sugar instead of white sugar, and add a plant-based marshmallow topping for a dairy-free version.
• Spiced Citrus Remix: Add orange zest and a pinch of ground ginger to the syrup, creating a bright, warming flavor that complements the sweet potatoes' natural sweetness.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener and reduce overall sugar content, serving with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a small drizzle of sugar-free maple syrup for those watching their sugar intake.

Pairings to Enjoy with Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Festive Holiday Side Dish: Serve these candied sweet potatoes as a stunning accompaniment to roasted turkey or ham during Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, bringing warmth and traditional Southern comfort to the table.
• Dessert-Style Presentation: Transform the sweet potatoes into a decadent dessert by topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, creating a delightful sweet and creamy contrast.
• Brunch Accent: Pair these caramelized sweet potatoes with crispy bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs for a luxurious weekend brunch that combines sweet and savory flavors, offering a memorable morning meal.
• Potluck Showstopper: Bring this dish to community gatherings or family reunions in a beautiful serving dish, knowing it will be a crowd-pleasing favorite that highlights classic Southern culinary traditions.

Proper Storage Tips for Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring a tight seal to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
• Freeze candied sweet potatoes in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for maximum 2 months, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheat refrigerated portions in the microwave: place in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.
• Restore oven-baked texture by reheating in a preheated 350F oven: transfer to a baking dish, cover with foil, warm for 15-20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to restore caramelization and crispy edges.

FAQs

• Are sweet potatoes healthy?

Sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense, packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. They support eye health, boost immunity, and provide complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.

• Can I use different types of sweet potatoes?

Yes, you can use orange, white, or purple sweet potatoes. Each variety has a slightly different flavor and texture, but they’ll work well in this candied recipe.

• How do I prevent the syrup from burning?

Keep the dish covered with foil for the first hour of baking. This helps the sweet potatoes cook evenly and prevents the syrup from caramelizing too quickly and burning.

Delicious Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Southern candied sweet potatoes deliver a perfect balance of caramelized sugars and buttery richness from traditional Southern kitchens. Generous servings of this classic side dish will delight family gatherings with sweet, comforting flavors you cannot resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into thick rounds

Sugars:

• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the middle for even cooking.
2. Select a large baking dish and layer the sweet potato slices in an overlapping, uniform arrangement to promote consistent caramelization.
3. Create a rich syrup by combining butter, sugars, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and sugars completely dissolve.
4. Drizzle the aromatic syrup evenly across the sweet potato layers, ensuring each slice gets thoroughly coated for maximum flavor absorption.
5. Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil, which helps trap moisture and allows the potatoes to steam and soften during the initial baking phase.
6. Bake covered for approximately 1 hour, then carefully remove the foil and gently redistribute the potatoes to encourage even caramelization.
7. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and continue baking for 25-30 minutes, watching for a deep golden-brown color and slightly crispy edges.
8. Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle vanilla extract over the potatoes, gently folding to distribute the rich, aromatic flavor throughout the dish.
9. Allow the candied sweet potatoes to rest for 5-7 minutes, which helps the syrup thicken and intensify before serving.

Notes

• Slice sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent caramelization throughout the dish.
• Control sugar levels by using less brown sugar for a less sweet version or substituting with coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
• Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before the final baking stage to add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor dimension.
• Adjust spice intensity by increasing or decreasing cinnamon and nutmeg according to personal taste preferences, creating a customized flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 315
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg