Easy Candied Sweet Potatoes
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These Easy Candied Sweet Potatoes are tender slices of sweet potato baked in a buttery maple-brown sugar sauce with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. The sauce coats the potatoes as they bake, creating tender centers, caramelized edges, and a sweet, warmly spiced flavor that makes this a favorite for holiday meals.
Pair these sweet potatoes with Cranberry Relish, Thanksgiving Turkey, and Corn Casserole.
Quick Look: Easy Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian
- Method: Stovetop and oven-baking
- Technique: Slice the sweet potatoes evenly, prepare the butter-based sauce on the stovetop, coat the potatoes, then bake covered while stirring during baking.
- Flavor/Texture: Tender, buttery, sweet, spiced, caramelized
A Family Recipe With My Own Twist
This recipe was inspired by my mother-in-lawโs sweet potato recipe, which has been part of our family for more than 60 years. I didnโt grow up eating this type of sweet potato dish, so when I created my version, I wanted to give it my own signature while keeping the familiar flavors people love. The maple syrup, warm spices, and buttery sauce make these sweet potatoes a special part of our holiday table.
Next time, try my Hassleback Sweet Potatoes and Sweet Potato Casserole!
Made With Amore,
โThis dish shocked me how good and addicting it was. I didnโt grow up with dishes like this, but now it is one of our favorite holiday sides.โ
โ Daniela
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
The key to these candied sweet potatoes is the buttery maple-brown sugar sauce, which coats the sliced sweet potatoes as they bake.
- Sweet Potatoes: Use firm, medium-sized sweet potatoes and cut them into uniform 1/2-inch slices so they cook evenly.
- Butter: Creates the rich base of the sauce and helps coat the sweet potatoes.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: Adds sweetness and a warm flavor that complements the spices.
- Brown Sugar: Provides deep sweetness and helps create the caramelized sauce.
- Warm Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth, while vanilla and optional rosemary round out the sauce.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free option, replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. Coconut oil will add a subtle coconut flavor, which pairs well with the sweetness of the dish. Use room temperature for better melting.
- Fresh Rosemary Substitute: If rosemary isnโt to your taste, try thyme or sage, or omit the herb for a more traditional sweet flavor. If you want a more herby sweet potato side, take a look at my Savory Sweet Potato Casserole.
- Pecan Crumble Topping: For added texture and flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans over the top of the casserole before baking. The nuts will toast in the oven, adding a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor. Try my Candied Pecans!
How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes
Making candied sweet potatoes starts with evenly sliced potatoes and a buttery maple-brown sugar sauce. The sauce coats the potatoes before they bake, and stirring them during baking helps distribute the glaze as the sweet potatoes become tender. Follow the step-by-step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (191ยฐC). Place the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes in a greased 9ร13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the orange juice (or water), maple syrup (or honey), brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional chopped rosemary. Stir the mixture until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly for about 3 minutes, then let it boil for 2 minutes without stirring.
- The sauce will be glossy and thick.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish.
- Gently stir to coat the potatoes evenly.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 60-80 minutes. Stir the sweet potatoes 4 times during baking to ensure they are evenly coated with the sauce.
- After baking, remove the foil and give the sweet potatoes a final stir. Sprinkle with a pinch of flake sea salt for an extra burst of flavor. Serve warm.
Candied Sweet Potatoes FAQs
Yes, you can use canned sweet potatoes, but they are often softer and pre-cooked, so the baking time will be reduced. Drain them well before using, and consider cutting back on the sugar since canned sweet potatoes are usually packed in syrup.
You do not need to par-cook the sweet potatoes for this recipe. But, if youโre looking to reduce the time in the oven (especially during the holidays when you have many dishes going in!) or like to prep the night before, you can par-cook them.
Cut the sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch slices. Keeping the slices a consistent thickness helps them cook evenly and absorb the sauce.
Storage: Allow the sweet potatoes to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, place the sweet potatoes in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Warm in a preheated oven at 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
Make-Ahead: Prepare the sweet potatoes up to the point of baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let them sit at room temperature for 20โ30 minutes before baking as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
Serving Suggestions
These candied sweet potatoes make a naturally sweet side for a Thanksgiving or holiday meal. Serve them alongside mains such as Juicy Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin, Oven Baked Chicken Breast, or Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin. For a holiday table filled with savory and sweet flavors, add sides like Butternut Squash Casserole, Ciabatta Stuffing, and Fresh Green Bean Casserole.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Slice evenly. Cut the sweet potatoes into consistent 1/2-inch slices so they cook at the same rate.
- Coat the potatoes well. Gently stir after adding the sauce so the maple-brown sugar mixture reaches all of the sweet potato slices.
- Stir during baking. Stir the sweet potatoes four times during baking so the sauce continues to coat the slices as they cook.
- Use the maple-brown sugar sauce as the flavor base. The combination of butter, maple syrup or honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla creates the signature flavor of this recipe.
- Plan ahead for the holidays. Assemble the dish up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate, and bake when youโre ready to serve.
More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
๐ MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? ๐ Please leave a โญ๏ธSTAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.
Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Ingredientsย
- 5-6 medium sweet potatoes, 3โ4 lbs, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon orange juice or water
- ยผ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- ยพ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (optional)
- Flake sea salt, for topping
Instructionsย
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (191ยฐC).
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Place the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes in a greased 9ร13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.
- Make the Sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the orange juice (or water), maple syrup (or honey), brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional chopped rosemary. Stir the mixture until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly for about 3 minutes, then let it boil for 2 minutes without stirring. The sauce will be glossy and thick.ย
- Coat the Sweet Potatoes: Pour the sauce evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Gently stir to coat the potatoes evenly.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 60-80 minutes. Stir the sweet potatoes 4 times during baking to ensure they are evenly coated with the sauce.ย
- Finish and Serve: After baking, remove the foil and give the sweet potatoes a final stir. Sprinkle with a pinch of flake sea salt for an extra burst of flavor. Serve warm.
Notes
- Pair these sweet potatoes with Cranberry Relish, Thanksgiving Turkey, and Corn Casserole.
- Slice evenly. Cut the sweet potatoes into consistent 1/2-inch slices so they cook at the same rate.
- Coat the potatoes well. Gently stir after adding the sauce so the maple-brown sugar mixture reaches all of the sweet potato slices.
- Stir during baking. Stir the sweet potatoes four times during baking so the sauce continues to coat the slices as they cook.
- Use the maple-brown sugar sauce as the flavor base. The combination of butter, maple syrup or honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla creates the signature flavor of this recipe.
- Plan ahead for the holidays. Assemble the dish up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate, and bake when youโre ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This dish shocked me how good and addicting it was. I didn’t grow up with dishes like this, but now it is one of our favorite holiday sides.
I didn’t grow up with dishes like this either, so when I created this recipe I wanted to put my signature stamp on it, but still make it taste like home for all those that are used to this dish. I am happy you love it!
This recipe is so easy and delicious. Had a similar recipe but it par-boils the potatoes which made them mushy. This was perfect. The addition of maple syrup was also excellent. Was a big hit at this yearโs Thanksgiving. Only negative- there were no leftovers ๐
Ha! We rarely have leftovers of this one either! So happy everyone loved it!
This recipe changed my mind about any sweet potato-type casserole! Yummmm! A must try.