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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare a baking dish and set oven temperature to 350F (175C) for optimal caramelization.
- Carefully remove sweet potato skins and slice into substantial, uniform rounds, arranging them neatly in the selected baking dish.
- 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.
- Generously drizzle the luxurious caramel mixture over the sweet potato layers, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil, allowing potatoes to steam and absorb flavors during initial 45-50 minute baking period.
- Periodically baste the potatoes with accumulated sauce to enhance moisture and caramelization.
- Uncover the dish for final 15-20 minutes, allowing edges to crisp and surface to develop a deep, golden-brown glaze.
- 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