The Best Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe to Savor

Sweet potato lovers absolutely adore this southern candied sweet potatoes recipe that melts in your mouth.

southern kitchens have perfected comfort food through generations of culinary magic.

Creamy, caramelized potatoes shimmer with a golden-brown glaze that promises pure deliciousness.

Buttery brown sugar creates an irresistible coating that makes everyone smile.

Grandmothers across alabama and georgia have passed down this treasured dish through whispered secrets.

Crisp edges and tender centers combine into a side dish that feels like a warm hug.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this sweet southern classic that screams home-cooked comfort.

What Makes Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes So Special

• Create Sweet Southern Comfort: A mouthwatering dish that captures the essence of traditional Southern cooking with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Crowd-Pleasing Side Dish: Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and family dinners where everyone craves a deliciously sweet and hearty accompaniment.
• Transform Humble Ingredients: Magically turns simple sweet potatoes into a luxurious, caramelized treat that elevates a basic vegetable to a crave-worthy delicacy.
• Bake and Forget Convenience: Requires minimal hands-on preparation, allowing you to focus on other meal components while this spectacular side dish bakes to golden perfection.

Ingredients For Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes: Large, orange sweet potatoes provide the hearty foundation for this classic Southern side dish.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: These ingredients create a rich, sweet caramel coating that transforms the sweet potatoes into a decadent treat.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Salt, Vanilla Extract: These warm spices and extract enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes and add depth to the caramel sauce.

How To Make Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to create the perfect cozy baking environment at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Prepare Sweet Potato Rounds

Carefully peel and slice sweet potatoes into generous, thick rounds.

Arrange these golden beauties in a welcoming baking dish, creating a delicious canvas for flavor.

Step 3: Whip Up the Magical Caramel Sauce

In a saucepan, transform butter into a silky base.

• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Vanilla extract

Stir the mixture with love until it becomes a smooth, irresistible caramel sauce.

Step 4: Drench Sweet Potatoes in Liquid Gold

Pour the luscious caramel sauce over the sweet potato rounds, ensuring every slice gets a luxurious coating of sweetness.

Step 5: Bake and Bubble

Cover the baking dish with foil, creating a cozy flavor-trapping environment. Slide into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes.

Every so often, lovingly baste the potatoes with the bubbling sauce.

Step 6: Crisp and Caramelize

Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven.

Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, allowing the edges to turn golden and crispy while the centers become meltingly tender.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let the sweet potato masterpiece rest for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to settle and intensify.

Serve warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Tips For Perfect Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Select firm, bright orange sweet potatoes for the best texture and flavor. Avoid using overly soft or bruised potatoes that might become mushy during baking. When slicing, aim for uniform rounds around 1/2-inch thick to ensure even cooking and consistent caramelization. Control the sweetness by adjusting sugar quantities – reduce brown sugar for a less intense caramel profile or add more for extra richness. Elevate the dish with optional mix-ins like chopped pecans or a sprinkle of sea salt before serving to add depth and crunch to the classic Southern recipe.

Different Takes On Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Vegan Sweet Potato Bliss: Replace butter with coconut oil and use maple syrup instead of granulated sugar for a plant-based, dairy-free version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and use alternative spices like cardamom or ginger for added depth.
• Lighter Wellness Option: Substitute brown sugar with honey or agave nectar, and reduce butter quantity to create a lower-calorie rendition.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before final baking for extra texture and rich, toasted flavor.

What To Serve With Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Southern Comfort Feast: Pair these candied sweet potatoes with classic roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham for a traditional holiday spread that feels like a warm Southern hug.
• Breakfast Twist: Transform leftovers into a decadent morning treat by topping with a dollop of Greek yogurt, chopped pecans, and a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet breakfast surprise.
• Dessert Upgrade: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or crumble graham crackers on top to create a rustic, homestyle dessert that celebrates Southern culinary charm with rich, caramelized flavors.
• Potluck Star: Bring this dish to community gatherings or family reunions, where its golden-brown caramelized edges and sweet aroma will make you the most popular guest at the table.

How To Store Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

• Store leftover candied sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Transfer the dish to a freezer-safe container and freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat refrigerated leftovers by placing them in an oven-safe dish, covering with foil, and warming at 350F for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Thaw frozen sweet potatoes overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently in the oven, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain the original caramel sauce's moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of sweet potatoes?

Yes, you can use any variety like orange, white, or purple sweet potatoes. Each type will bring a slightly different flavor and texture to the dish.

• Is this recipe suitable for diabetics or people watching sugar intake?

This recipe is high in sugar, so people with diabetes or sugar restrictions should consume it in moderation or consider using alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the sweet potatoes and sauce a day in advance, store them separately in the refrigerator, and assemble and bake just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Perfect Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Southern candied sweet potatoes celebrate rich culinary traditions with caramelized brown sugar and warm spices. Buttery slices melt in your mouth, offering comfort and nostalgia that connect you to generations of Southern cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water or orange juice (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a baking dish and set oven temperature to 350F (175C) for optimal caramelization.
2. Carefully remove sweet potato skins and slice into substantial, uniform rounds, arranging them neatly in the selected baking dish.
3. Create a rich caramel sauce by gently melting butter in a saucepan, then incorporating brown sugar, granulated sugar, aromatic cinnamon, warm nutmeg, delicate salt, and fragrant vanilla extract, whisking until smoothly integrated.
4. Generously drizzle the luxurious caramel mixture over the sweet potato layers, ensuring complete and even coating.
5. Shield the dish with aluminum foil, allowing potatoes to steam and absorb flavors during initial 45-50 minute baking period.
6. Periodically baste the potatoes with accumulated sauce to enhance moisture and caramelization.
7. Uncover the dish for final 15-20 minutes, allowing edges to crisp and surface to develop a deep, golden-brown glaze.
8. Remove from oven and permit a brief resting period, enabling flavors to settle and sauce to slightly thicken before serving.

Notes

• Slice sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and caramelization throughout the dish.
• Adjust sugar levels for a less sweet version by reducing brown and granulated sugar quantities to suit different taste preferences.
• Choose firm, fresh sweet potatoes without soft spots for the best texture and flavor absorption during baking.
• Experiment with spice variations like adding a pinch of ginger or cardamom for a unique flavor profile that complements the traditional cinnamon and nutmeg.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg