Description
A classic and comforting side dish featuring tender sweet potatoes cooked in a rich, buttery, and spiced candied sauce. This recipe delivers perfectly soft sweet potatoes coated in a luscious blend of brown and granulated sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, making it an ideal accompaniment for holiday meals or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes and Spices
- 6 large sweet potatoes
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
Sugar and Flavorings
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Fat
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Melt the butter: Begin by melting the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat until fully melted and slightly bubbling.
- Add sweet potatoes and sugars: Stir in the prepared sweet potatoes, then add both the brown sugar and granulated sugar along with the cinnamon and nutmeg. Gently stir to combine all ingredients evenly without breaking the potatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer covered: Cover the skillet with a lid and cook the sweet potatoes for approximately 40 minutes, or until they are fork tender. During cooking, carefully stir the mixture two to three times to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking, being gentle to keep the potato pieces intact.
- Finish with salt and vanilla: Once the sweet potatoes are tender, add the pinch of salt and the vanilla extract. Gently stir one final time to combine all the flavors. Serve warm and enjoy this sweet and flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Use firm sweet potatoes to prevent them from breaking apart during cooking.
- Stir gently to keep the sweet potato chunks intact.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, you can cook uncovered for the last 5-10 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or holiday turkey.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato side dish, holiday side dish, cinnamon sweet potatoes, brown sugar sweet potatoes
