Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

A traditional Southern side made with sweet potatoes baked in a buttery brown sugar syrup, flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Perfect for holidays or cozy dinners.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

4 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds ½ cup unsalted butter 1 cup granulated sugar ½ cup light brown sugar, packed ¼ cup water 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground nutmeg ½ tsp vanilla extract Pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange evenly sliced sweet potatoes in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Create the Caramel Syrup: In a saucepan, melt butter. Add sugars and water, stir until glossy and thickened.
Step 3: Add the Spices: Remove from heat. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt.
Step 4: Bake the Potatoes: Pour syrup over potatoes, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
Step 5: Finish and Glaze: Uncover and bake 20–25 minutes more, basting with syrup until glossy and caramelized.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy: Let cool slightly before serving for the perfect syrupy texture.

Notes

Use firm, smooth sweet potatoes for best texture. Substitute dark brown sugar for deeper flavor. Add chopped pecans before baking for crunch. Leftovers store well for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 310
Fat: 12g
Saturated fat: 7g
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 120mg
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 4g