Description
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are sweet, buttery, and tender—perfect for family dinners and holidays. This simple, traditional recipe is made with just a few ingredients and can be cooked on the stovetop or baked in the oven. A true Southern classic that’s easy to prepare and always a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
6 medium sweet potatoes
8 tablespoons butter
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional:
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
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Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into round slices about ¼ inch thick.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and then add the sweet potato slices.
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Pour the sugar and water over the sweet potato slices; stir gently to coat.
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Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and cook until the sweet potatoes are fork‑tender (about 1 hour).
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Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract. Spoon the glaze over the sweet potatoes; as it cools the glaze will thicken slightly.
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Oven variation (if you prefer baking): Preheat the oven to 425 °F. Melt the butter in a 9×13 baking dish in the oven, swirl to coat, then add sugar, water, vanilla extract (and optional seasonings). Place the sliced sweet potatoes into the dish and gently mix until they’re evenly coated. Bake about 1 hour, spooning the glaze over the potatoes halfway through. Cover the dish with foil for the last 30 minutes of baking.
Notes
Glaze will thicken as it cools.
Optional spices add warmth and holiday flavor.
Store in fridge for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Reheat in oven or microwave until warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Side Dish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 372
- Sugar: 46g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Protein: 2g