Description
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes elevate comfort cuisine with rich caramelized flavors and buttery warmth. Creamy potato slices glazed in brown sugar and cinnamon create a delightful side dish perfect for holiday gatherings and family meals you’ll savor with pure southern charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes:
- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
Sugars:
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) packed brown sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Other Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water
Instructions
- Warm a generously sized skillet over medium heat to prepare for caramelizing the sweet potatoes.
- Gently melt butter, then incorporate sugars, water, aromatic spices, and salt into a glossy, fragrant syrup.
- Carefully introduce sliced sweet potatoes into the syrup, ensuring each piece receives an even, luxurious coating.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the sweet potatoes to simmer for 35-45 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and promote even caramelization.
- Monitor the potatoes until they transform into tender, golden-brown morsels with a rich, sticky glaze.
- Once the sweet potatoes reach a perfect soft-yet-slightly-firm texture and develop a deep caramel color, remove from heat.
- Let the candied sweet potatoes rest for a few minutes to allow the syrup to slightly thicken and intensify in flavor.
- Transfer to a serving dish, showcasing the glistening, spice-infused potatoes as an irresistible Southern-style accompaniment.
Notes
- Choose firm, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes for the best caramelization and texture.
- Cut sweet potatoes into uniform slices to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for deeper flavor development and more even heat distribution.
- Avoid stirring too frequently to allow natural caramelization and prevent breaking delicate potato slices.
- For a healthier version, substitute part of the butter with coconut oil and use coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index.
- Enhance the dish’s nutrition by sprinkling chopped pecans or toasted walnuts on top before serving.
- Create a vegan alternative by replacing butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven to maintain their caramelized coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 39 g
- Sodium: 43 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 84 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg