Name: Candied Sweet Potatoes: 7 Amazing Steps to Pure Joy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 4-5 medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick; ½ teaspoon Salt; ½ cup unsalted Butter; ¾ cup packed Brown Sugar; ½ cup White Sugar; 1 teaspoon Cinnamon; ½ teaspoon Nutmeg (optional); 2 tablespoons Orange Juice (lemon juice can substitute)

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Candied Sweet Potatoes have always held a special place in my heart, reminding me of cozy holiday gatherings at my grandma’s house. I can still vividly recall the sweet, warm aroma of cinnamon and brown sugar wafting from her kitchen as these beautiful orange slices baked to perfection. It wasn’t just a side dish; it was a centerpiece, glistening with that irresistible glaze, making everyone’s eyes light up. This easy ground turkey dinner brings back all those cherished memories. Now, I love recreating that magic in my own home, and I’ve discovered the best candied sweet potato recipe that truly captures that nostalgic flavor. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love These Candied Sweet Potatoes

I promise you, these Candied Sweet Potatoes will become a staple in your home, especially during the holidays. They offer so much more than just a delicious taste:

They’re incredibly flavorful, boasting a perfect balance of sweet and warm spices that everyone adores.
The prep time is surprisingly quick, making them an ideal choice for busy cooks who want to know How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes without fuss.
Sweet potatoes themselves are packed with vitamins, offering a touch of healthy goodness to your meal.
This recipe is budget-friendly, using common ingredients you likely already have or can easily find.
It’s a family-friendly dish that even the pickiest eaters tend to love, thanks to its irresistible sweetness.
Learning How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes from scratch means you control the ingredients, ensuring quality and taste.

Ingredients for Classic Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

To create these incredible Candied Sweet Potatoes with a delicious brown sugar glaze, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. I always make sure I have these on hand, especially around the holidays, because they transform humble sweet potatoes into something truly special.

4-5 medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick – look for firm, unblemished potatoes for the best results.
½ teaspoon Salt – just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
½ cup unsalted Butter – this forms the rich base of our delightful glaze.
¾ cup packed Brown Sugar – essential for that deep, caramel-like flavor in our Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar Glaze.
½ cup White Sugar – adds extra sweetness and helps create the perfect syrupy texture.
1 teaspoon Cinnamon – a classic spice that pairs beautifully with sweet potatoes.
½ teaspoon Nutmeg (optional) – I love the warm, earthy hint it adds, but it’s totally up to your preference.
2 tablespoons Orange Juice (lemon juice can substitute) – this brightens the flavor and adds a touch of acidity to cut through the richness.

How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes

Making these delightful Candied Sweet Potatoes is simpler than you might think, and I promise the effort is well worth the incredible result. Follow these steps for what I consider the Best Candied Sweet Potato Recipe you’ll ever try.

Step 1: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your sweet potatoes start cooking immediately once they’re in, leading to perfectly tender results. While the oven warms, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and grease it generously; this prevents any sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
Step 2: Next, prepare your sweet potatoes. Peel them carefully, then slice them into even 1/2-inch rounds. Consistency is key here for even cooking, so try to make them all roughly the same thickness. I find that using a sharp knife makes this task a breeze.
Step 3: Now, let’s create that irresistible glaze that makes these Candied Sweet Potatoes so special. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Watch it closely until it’s golden and bubbly—this adds a lovely depth of flavor. Stir in both the brown and white sugar until they’ve completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth and syrupy.
Step 4: Remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in the cinnamon and optional nutmeg. The aroma at this stage is absolutely divine! Finally, gently mix in the orange juice. This brightens the glaze and cuts through the sweetness beautifully, creating a balanced flavor profile for your Best Candied Sweet Potato Recipe.
Step 5: Arrange your sliced sweet potatoes in a single layer in the greased baking dish. Try not to overcrowd them, as this helps them cook evenly. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the sweet potato slices; this tiny touch elevates all the other flavors.
Step 6: Drizzle the warm, fragrant sauce generously over the sweet potatoes, making sure every slice is coated in that glistening, sweet goodness. I like to use a spoon to ensure even distribution.
Step 7: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps the steam, allowing the sweet potatoes to become incredibly tender and soak up all that delicious glaze. Bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a fork easily pierces the thickest part of a sweet potato slice.
Step 8: Once baked to perfection, remove the dish from the oven. Let the Candied Sweet Potatoes cool briefly before serving. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, creating that perfect, luscious coating.

Pro Tips for the Best Candied Sweet Potatoes

I’ve made these Candied Sweet Potatoes countless times, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way that guarantee perfection every time. These expert tips will elevate your dish from good to absolutely unforgettable.

Always slice your sweet potatoes uniformly. This is crucial for even cooking, ensuring every piece is tender and not over or undercooked.
Don’t skip the orange juice! It adds a bright, zesty note that cuts through the richness of the sugar, creating a more balanced and nuanced flavor for your Candied Sweet Potatoes.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking. This allows the glorious glaze to set slightly and the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.

What’s the secret to perfectly glazed sweet potatoes?

The real secret to a perfectly glistening, thick glaze for this Glazed Sweet Potatoes Recipe lies in the butter and sugar ratio, combined with the gentle heat. Melting the butter and sugars slowly until smooth creates a rich, cohesive base that clings beautifully to each sweet potato slice as it bakes.

Can I make Candied Sweet Potatoes ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the sweet potatoes and the glaze up to a day in advance. Store the sliced sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge, and the glaze separately. Combine and bake on the day you plan to serve, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if starting with cold ingredients.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Homemade Candied Yams?

To avoid common pitfalls with your Homemade Candied Yams, ensure you don’t overcook them initially, which can lead to mushy potatoes. Also, make sure your baking dish is covered for most of the cooking time to steam them tender before uncovering to allow the glaze to caramelize slightly.

Best Ways to Serve Candied Sweet Potatoes

These glorious Candied Sweet Potatoes are incredibly versatile and can grace your table for various occasions. I find they shine brightest as a festive side dish, but don’t limit yourself!

For a classic holiday spread, pair them with roasted turkey or ham, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. These Holiday Candied Sweet Potatoes truly complete the meal, offering a sweet counterpoint to savory dishes.
They also make a fantastic addition to a Sunday dinner, alongside a juicy roast chicken and some steamed greens. The rich, sweet glaze complements almost any protein.
Don’t be afraid to serve them as a light dessert! Their natural sweetness and tender texture are satisfying on their own, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted pecans.

Nutrition Facts for Candied Sweet Potatoes

I know many of you are curious about the nutritional breakdown of these delicious Candied Sweet Potatoes, especially when planning holiday meals. Here’s an estimate per serving, based on the ingredients used in this recipe:

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 270 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg

Please remember that these nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific brands and types of ingredients you choose for your Candied Sweet Potatoes.

How to Store and Reheat Candied Sweet Potatoes

Once you’ve enjoyed your delicious Candied Sweet Potatoes, you’ll want to make sure any leftovers are properly stored to maintain their freshness and flavor. I always have some extra because they’re just that good!

First, allow your Candied Sweet Potatoes to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container. They will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Place the cooled sweet potatoes in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll stay good for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheating is a breeze. For the best results with this Simple Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe, I recommend reheating them gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for a quicker option, though the oven helps maintain that lovely texture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Candied Sweet Potatoes

What are Candied Sweet Potatoes exactly?

Candied Sweet Potatoes are a classic side dish, especially popular in Southern cuisine and during holidays. They typically feature tender sweet potato slices, cooked in a rich, sweet syrup made from ingredients like butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes orange juice. The result is a glistening, caramelized dish that’s both savory and sweet, often mistaken for a dessert.

Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this recipe?

While fresh sweet potatoes are always my preference for the best flavor and texture, you can use canned sweet potatoes in a pinch. If you opt for canned, make sure they are packed in water, not syrup, and drain them very well. Reduce the cooking time significantly, as they are already pre-cooked. This shortcut can make for quick Candied Sweet Potatoes when time is short.

How do I prevent my candied sweet potatoes from getting mushy?

To avoid mushy Candied Sweet Potatoes, the key is not to overcook them. Slice your sweet potatoes to a uniform 1/2-inch thickness, and keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time. Covering the dish with foil for most of the cooking helps them steam tenderly without breaking down too quickly. Also, gentle mixing during preparation helps maintain their structure.

What’s the difference between candied sweet potatoes and candied yams?

Often, the terms are used interchangeably, but botanically, sweet potatoes and yams are different. What we commonly find in US grocery stores labeled as “yams” are actually a type of sweet potato, usually with a darker skin and moister, orange flesh. So, when you see a recipe for “candied yams,” it’s almost always referring to a dish made with these orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, just like our delicious Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe.

Variations of Candied Sweet Potatoes You Can Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic Candied Sweet Potatoes, you might be looking for ways to mix things up! I love experimenting with different flavors and textures to keep things exciting. Here are a few delightful variations you can try:

Marshmallow Topping: For a truly decadent treat, turn your Candied Sweet Potatoes into a dessert-like side by adding a layer of mini marshmallows during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This creates a gooey, toasted topping, similar to a classic Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows.
Spiced Pecan Crunch: Add some texture and nutty flavor by sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts over the sweet potatoes before baking. You can even toast the nuts lightly first for an enhanced aroma and crunch.
Citrus Zest Boost: Elevate the bright notes by adding the zest of an orange or lemon to your glaze. This brings an extra layer of fresh, aromatic flavor that beautifully complements the sweetness of the Candied Sweet Potatoes.
Maple Syrup Swap: For a slightly different sweetness profile, replace half of the brown sugar in the glaze with pure maple syrup. This imparts a rich, earthy sweetness that’s simply divine and perfect for a cozy holiday dish.