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
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the middle for even cooking.
- Select a large baking dish and layer the sweet potato slices in an overlapping, uniform arrangement to promote consistent caramelization.
- 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.
- Drizzle the aromatic syrup evenly across the sweet potato layers, ensuring each slice gets thoroughly coated for maximum flavor absorption.
- Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil, which helps trap moisture and allows the potatoes to steam and soften during the initial baking phase.
- Bake covered for approximately 1 hour, then carefully remove the foil and gently redistribute the potatoes to encourage even caramelization.
- 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.
- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle vanilla extract over the potatoes, gently folding to distribute the rich, aromatic flavor throughout the dish.
- 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