Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I Love How Simple And Cozy This Recipe Is. It Uses Just A Handful Of Pantry Staples But Delivers Bold, Sweet, And Spiced Flavors That Make The Sweet Potatoes Taste Like Dessert. The Soft Texture, Combined With A Bubbling Buttery Glaze, Turns These Humble Roots Into A Star Side Dish. Plus, It’s Easy To Prep Ahead, And It Always Reminds Me Of Comforting Southern Traditions.

Ingredients

(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)

4 Medium Sweet Potatoes, Peeled And Sliced Into Rounds
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Butter, Melted
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 Cup Water

Directions

Preheat The Oven To 350°F (175°C) And Grease A Baking Dish With Butter Or Cooking Spray.
Peel And Slice The Sweet Potatoes Into 1/4-Inch Thick Rounds.
In A Bowl, Mix Together The Melted Butter, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Salt, Nutmeg, And Ginger. Stir In The Water Until Combined.
Layer The Sweet Potato Slices In The Baking Dish, Drizzling Each Layer With The Candied Sauce. Continue Layering Until All The Potatoes And Sauce Are Used, Finishing With Sauce On Top.
Cover The Dish With Foil And Bake For 45 Minutes. Then, Remove The Foil And Bake For Another 15–20 Minutes Until The Sweet Potatoes Are Tender And The Sauce Is Bubbling.
Serve Hot And Enjoy The Rich, Spiced Sweetness In Every Bite.

Servings And Timing

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 15 Minutes
Cooking Time: 1 Hour
Total Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Calories: About 200 Kcal Per Serving

Variations

I Like To Play Around With This Recipe Depending On The Occasion. Sometimes, I Add A Splash Of Vanilla Extract To The Sauce For Extra Depth. For A Nutty Crunch, I Sprinkle Chopped Pecans Over The Top Before Baking. If I Want It More Dessert-Like, I Might Even Top It With Mini Marshmallows During The Last 10 Minutes Of Baking. This Recipe Is Flexible And Easy To Customize.

Storage/Reheating

To Store Leftovers, I Place Them In An Airtight Container In The Fridge For Up To 4 Days. When I Reheat Them, I Use The Oven At 350°F For About 15–20 Minutes Or Microwave Individual Portions For 1–2 Minutes Until Warmed Through. The Flavors Tend To Deepen The Next Day, Making Leftovers Even Tastier.

FAQs

What Kind Of Sweet Potatoes Work Best For This Recipe?

I Use Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes Like Garnet Or Jewel. They’re Naturally Sweet And Soften Beautifully While Baking.

Can I Make This Dish Ahead Of Time?

Yes, I Often Prepare It A Day In Advance, Cover It Tightly, And Refrigerate It. Then I Reheat It In The Oven Before Serving.

Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?

Yes, All The Ingredients Are Naturally Gluten-Free. Just Make Sure Your Butter And Spices Don’t Contain Additives If I’m Sensitive.

Can I Use Maple Syrup Instead Of Brown Sugar?

I’ve Tried It With Maple Syrup, And While It Changes The Flavor Slightly, It Still Tastes Great. It Gives The Dish A Richer, Deeper Sweetness.

How Do I Know When The Sweet Potatoes Are Done?

I Check By Poking A Slice With A Fork. If It Slides In Easily And The Sauce Is Thick And Bubbly, They’re Ready.

Conclusion

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Are A Timeless Side Dish That Brings Cozy, Sweet Flavor To Any Meal. I Love How Easy It Is To Make, And How The Familiar Spices And Buttery Glaze Turn A Simple Vegetable Into A Comforting Treat. Whether It’s A Holiday Favorite Or A Weeknight Surprise, This Recipe Is One I Keep Coming Back To.