Description
This Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe transforms tender, thinly sliced sweet potatoes into a rich, sweet side dish enhanced with buttery caramelized sugar, fragrant vanilla, and warm nutmeg. Perfectly suited for holiday dinners or comfort food cravings, these candied sweet potatoes provide a delicious balance of creamy and crispy textures with a luscious glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced vertically (⅛–¼ inch thickness)
Candied Sauce
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1 3/4 – 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them vertically into very thin slices, about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. Thin slices help the potatoes cook evenly and absorb the candied sauce.
- Make the Candied Sauce: In a large skillet or frying pan, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Once melted, gradually add the granulated sugar while stirring constantly to combine. Continue stirring until the mixture becomes bubbly and syrupy, ensuring the sugar does not burn.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the pure vanilla extract and ground nutmeg into the bubbling sugar-butter mixture to infuse it with warm, aromatic flavors.
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Add the thin sweet potato slices into the pan, gently mixing to coat each slice with the candied sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the sweet potatoes, stirring occasionally or gently flipping slices to ensure even coating and cooking. Cook until the potatoes are tender and the sauce thickens and caramelizes, usually about 15-20 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Once the sweet potatoes are tender and thoroughly coated with the thickened candied sauce, remove the pan from heat. Serve while warm as a decadent side dish.
Notes
- Slice the sweet potatoes uniformly for even cooking.
- Adjust the sugar amount according to your preferred sweetness level.
- Use a nonstick skillet to prevent sticking during caramelization.
- Stir gently to avoid breaking the thin potato slices.
- For added texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or marshmallows on top before serving.
Keywords: Candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato side dish, holiday sweet potatoes, caramelized sweet potatoes, buttered sweet potatoes