If you are craving a comforting, nostalgic side dish that warms your heart and tickles your taste buds, this Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe is exactly what you need. Packed with rich buttery sweetness, a touch of warm spices, and the natural earthiness of sweet potatoes, this recipe brings a classic to your table in the most delightful way. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a cozy family dinner, these tender, caramelized sweet potatoes will quickly become your favorite go-to dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The charm of this Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to create a perfect balance between sweet, buttery, and warmly spiced flavors that complement the natural richness of the sweet potatoes.
- Sweet potatoes, 3 pounds: Peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch rounds; the star of the dish offering natural sweetness and a velvety texture when cooked.
- Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup: Provides a luscious, creamy richness that carries the flavors beautifully.
- Light brown sugar, 1 cup: Packed for sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor for depth.
- Water, 1/4 cup: Helps dissolve the sugar and thins the syrup just enough for even coating.
- Maple syrup, 1/4 cup: Adds an extra layer of sweetness and a subtle maple flavor that harmonizes wonderfully.
- Ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon: Brings warm, comforting spice notes that elevate the dish.
- Ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon: Provides a hint of aromatic earthiness with a touch of nutty warmth.
- Salt, 1/4 teaspoon: Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
- Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon: Adds fragrant floral undertones that brighten the syrup.
How to Make Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Peel your sweet potatoes and slice them into uniform 1/2 inch rounds—this ensures even cooking and a lovely presentation.
Step 2: Arrange the Sweet Potatoes
Place the sweet potato slices evenly in the prepared dish. This helps them cook uniformly and allows each piece to soak in plenty of that luscious syrup.
Step 3: Make the Candied Syrup
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter fully, then stir in the brown sugar, water, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Cook this mixture for about 3 to 4 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely and the syrup thickens slightly. This rich sauce is key to turning simple sweet potatoes into a luxurious treat.
Step 4: Coat the Sweet Potatoes
Pour the syrup evenly over the sweet potatoes, then toss gently to make sure every slice is coated with that buttery sweet mixture. Coating well is important for that signature sticky glaze and balanced sweetness.
Step 5: Bake Covered and Uncovered
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. The cover traps steam and helps the potatoes become tender. Then remove the foil, baste the potatoes with the syrup from the pan, and bake uncovered for another 20 to 25 minutes. This step caramelizes the syrup, creating a glossy, sticky finish and accentuating the flavor.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Allow the sweet potatoes to cool for about 10 minutes before serving; this lets the syrup thicken slightly. Spoon the syrup from the pan over the potatoes to add an irresistible shiny glaze and extra richness with every bite.
How to Serve Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted pecans or chopped walnuts adds wonderful crunch and visual appeal without overpowering the dish. A tiny dusting of ground cinnamon on top can also enhance the aroma and bring out the warm spice notes beautifully.
Side Dishes
This Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe pairs perfectly with roasted turkey, baked ham, or even a simple pork roast. For a vegetarian meal, serve alongside a hearty quinoa salad or sautéed greens to balance the sweetness with some earthy freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the candied sweet potatoes in individual ramekins for an elegant presentation or spread them on a festive platter surrounded by fresh herbs. You can also layer them with marshmallows and broil briefly for a gooey twist that kids especially love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover candied sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers just as delightful as fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze the sweet potatoes after baking in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a microwave or covered in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until warmed through. If the syrup feels too thick, add a splash of water or syrup and stir to revive the glaze.
FAQs
Can I use regular white sugar instead of brown sugar?
While you can substitute white sugar, brown sugar adds a richer molasses flavor and moisture that is essential to the classic taste and sticky texture of this Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe.
Are there any alternatives to maple syrup?
If you don’t have maple syrup, honey or corn syrup work as substitutes, though maple syrup offers a unique depth of flavor that complements the spices and sweetness perfectly.
How do I make this recipe vegan?
Simply replace the unsalted butter with a plant-based vegan butter or coconut oil. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the syrup and sweet potatoes a few hours in advance, refrigerate separately, and then assemble and bake just before serving for best results.
What texture should the sweet potatoes have when done?
The sweet potatoes should be tender enough to easily pierce with a fork but still hold their shape. The syrup should be thick and glossy, enveloping each slice.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope you give this Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe a try—it’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug from the inside. Whether it becomes your holiday staple or a comforting weeknight side, it promises simple ingredients transformed into something incredibly special. Invite your loved ones to the table and watch as these candied sweet potatoes bring smiles all around.
Print
Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes are a classic, comforting side dish perfect for holiday meals or anytime you want a sweet and savory vegetable option. Sliced sweet potatoes are baked in a rich buttery syrup spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, resulting in tender, caramelized slices with a glossy, flavorful glaze.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
Syrup
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Arrange sweet potatoes: Place the peeled and sliced sweet potato rounds evenly in the prepared baking dish, ensuring a uniform layer.
- Make the syrup: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, water, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens slightly.
- Coat sweet potatoes: Pour the prepared syrup evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Gently toss or shake the dish to coat all slices thoroughly with the syrup.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the potatoes to start cooking and absorb flavors.
- Uncover and finish baking: Remove the foil, baste the sweet potatoes with the syrup accumulating in the dish, and bake uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the top is caramelized and glossy.
- Cool and serve: Let the candied sweet potatoes cool for 10 minutes before serving. Spoon extra syrup from the dish over the potatoes to enhance their flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For best texture, slice sweet potatoes uniformly about 1/2 inch thick.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce brown sugar to 3/4 cup.
- Maple syrup adds depth of flavor but can be substituted with honey if unavailable.
- Covering the dish during the first part of baking traps moisture and helps cook the potatoes evenly.
- This dish can be made a day ahead and gently reheated before serving.
