This classic recipe creates buttery soft Candied Sweet Potatoes. It’s the prefect side dish for Thanksgiving and the holidays. You can even prep them ahead of time!
Sweet potatoes are one of my go-to sides. They taste great with almost everything and can be prepared sweet or savory.
These old fashioned candied sweet potatoes are a classic southern recipe. They are simple yet sweet thanks to the candied glaze. When baked in the oven, the glaze creates a nice caramelized texture.
These sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish to serve at dinner parties, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner and even Easter. It’s a delicious alternative to sweet potato casserole that is sure to impress your guests.
If you’re looking for more sweet potato recipes try Sautéed Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Souffle or Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The sweet sticky glaze creates delicious potatoes.
- Roasting the potatoes in the oven creates a caramelized texture.
- This easy recipe is the perfect addition to your holiday meal.
- It’s the perfect make-ahead dish.
Ingredients You Need
You will need sweet potatoes and a few simple ingredients for the sauce. All of the ingredients are found at your local grocery store if you don’t already have them in your kitchen.
- Sweet Potatoes: When choosing sweet potatoes, look for ones that are small to medium in size. The larger ones are more starchy and tougher. Use firm, fresh sweet potatoes.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar is fine. Dark brown sugar will have a deeper flavor. You can also substitute with conventional white sugar.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred, but salted is fine if that’s all you have. You can use vegan butter.
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup. You can substitute the maple syrup for honey, if desired.
- Spices: You will need a combination of ground cinnamon, ground ginger and nutmeg. You can also substitute the spices for pumpkin pie spice.
- Bourbon or Rum (Optional): Try adding one tablespoon of bourbon or rum to elevate the flavor.
How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes
These southern candied sweet potatoes come together in a few simple steps. You will slice the sweet potatoes and then prepare the glaze before baking everything together in the oven. The end result is tender sweet potatoes.
- Prepare the oven for baking: Preheat the oven to 400° F. Grease a 9×13 casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Slice the sweet potatoes: Use a vegetable peeler to peel the potatoes. Slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch thick slices and place them in a large bowl. Season with salt and toss to coat.
- Prepare the brown sugar glaze: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, without stirring, until the sugar is melted and the sauce has thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the bourbon or water.
- Pour the sauce over the potatoes: Allow the brown sugar mixture to cool slightly, then pour it over the sliced potatoes. Toss everything to coat and transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish.
- Bake: Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Stir, then cover the dish with aluminum foil. Continue baking in the oven for another 35 to 40 minutes, gently stirring every 20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender and lightly golden brown. Use a spatula or shallow spoon to carefully stir the potatoes.
When you’re slicing the potatoes, be sure to slice them into 1/2 inch thick pieces. If they are too thin, they will burn. If they are too thick, they will not cook evenly.
Recipe Tips
- Add more flavor. You can elevate the flavor these sweet potatoes by adding orange zest or vanilla extract to the sauce. Or If you’re looking for more savory flavor, add fresh or dried rosemary after baking. Top the sweet potatoes with chopped pecans or shredded coconut for more texture and flavor.
- Use a spatula or shallow serving spoon to serve. The sweet potatoes will be soft and may break apart if you’re not careful.
- Make Ahead. This is the perfect make ahead dish. You can bake the entire dish in advance and then reheat just prior to serving. Or you can prepare without baking and bake the day of serving. The extra day lets the potatoes soak into the brown sugar glaze.
Storage
Store leftover sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the sweet potatoes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. Place the potatoes in a baking dish covered with tin foil. Cook them for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are heated through.
To freeze leftovers, place them in an airtight freezer safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then warm in the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you should peel the sweet potatoes before cooking them in this recipe. This will ensure you have the best results. It also helps them absorb the flavor of the glaze.
They will last for up to 3 days when stored properly in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Yes. Prepare the entire dish in advance except don’t bake them. Store the prepared potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, pour them into a baking dish and give them a stir to ensure they are coated in the buttery syrup. Bake according to the recipe instructions. They may require a few additional minutes of baking if they go into the oven straight from the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can bake in advance, store in the refrigerator and reheat prior to serving.
Yes, candied sweet potatoes are also known as candied yams. While there might be “yam” in the name, classic candied yams are made with sweet potatoes, since sweet potatoes are much easier to find in the United States.
More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
This recipe is the perfect holiday side dish. Serve the candied potatoes with any of your favorite Thanksgiving recipes. You can also serve them with a main dish for Sunday dinner or a special occasion.
- Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Fresh Green Bean Casserole
- Sautéed Carrots
- Apple Cranberry Sauce
Did you try these Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes? Leave a recipe rating and review below.
Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3.5 pounds sweet potatoes, (about 5 medium-sized)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon bourbon or rum, (optional – use water otherwise)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick slices and place them in a large bowl. Season with salt and toss to coat.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Whisk in the maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and bring the mixture to a low boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, without stirring, until the sugar is melted and the sauce has thickened. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the bourbon.
- Allow the sauce to cool slightly, then pour it over the sliced potatoes; toss to coat. Transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Stir, then cover the dish with aluminum foil. Continue baking for another 35 to 40 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes, until the potatoes are soft.
- Cool uncovered for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
Made these for Friendsgiving yesterday and everyone loved them! Thanks for the recipe.
OMG YUM! These are perfect for a Thanksgiving side!