Delightful Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Delightful Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are tender slices of bright orange sweet potatoes simmered and baked in a buttery, cinnamon-spiced syrup until glossy, caramelized, and irresistibly sweet.
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes about 2 lbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional add-ins
- Splash of orange juice or zest
- Sprinkle of allspice or cloves
- Chopped pecans for crunch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into ½-inch rounds, arranging them in a single layer (soak in cold water if too firm).
- Melt ½ cup butter in a saucepan, add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ¼ cup water, stirring until dissolved.
- Simmer the mixture for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and add cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Pour the hot syrup over the sweet potatoes, gently turning them so every slice is coated.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 20–25 minutes more, basting every 10 minutes.
- Let rest for 10 minutes so the syrup thickens into a glossy, candy-like coating.