Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are a classic dish that is popular in the Southern United States. This delicious and sweet side dish is often served during holidays or special occasions. The recipe calls for sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and spices, which are cooked together to create a rich and caramelized glaze. The combination of the natural sweetness of the potatoes with the buttery caramel sauce makes for a truly indulgent and satisfying dish. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are perfect for serving alongside roasted meats or as a sweet and comforting treat on their own.
To make Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes, you will need to peel and slice the sweet potatoes into thick rounds. The potatoes are then placed in a baking dish and coated with a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. The dish is baked in the oven until the potatoes are tender and the glaze has thickened and becomes caramelized. The result is a beautifully glazed and caramelized sweet potato dish that is both visually appealing and incredibly delicious.
Ingredients
These Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are made with just a few simple ingredients that come together to create a sweet and flavorful dish. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 3 large sweet potatoes
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
The star ingredient of this dish is, of course, the sweet potatoes. They provide a delicious and hearty base for the candied coating. The brown sugar adds a rich sweetness, while the butter helps to create a thick and gooey caramel-like sauce. The cinnamon and nutmeg bring warm and cozy flavors to the dish, and a pinch of salt helps to balance out the sweetness.
These ingredients work together to create a delectable side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. The sweet potatoes become tender and caramelized, with a sweet and buttery coating that is hard to resist.
Recipe Steps: Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Preparing Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes involves a few simple steps:
- Peel and slice the sweet potatoes: Start by peeling the sweet potatoes and cutting them into thin, even slices. It is important to cut them evenly so that they cook uniformly.
- Pre-cook the sweet potatoes: In a large pot, add water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the sweet potato slices and cook them for about 5 minutes. This will soften them slightly before adding the sweet glaze.
- Make the sweet glaze: In a separate saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture begins to bubble slightly. Stir continuously to avoid burning.
Once the sweet glaze is ready and the sweet potatoes are pre-cooked, they can be combined for the final steps of the recipe.
Tips from Professional Chefs on Making Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
When it comes to making the perfect Southern candied sweet potatoes, professional chefs recommend the following tips to ensure a delicious and flavorful dish:
- Choose the right sweet potatoes: Look for sweet potatoes that are firm, with smooth skin and no blemishes. The best sweet potatoes for candying have a deep orange color and are not too large, as larger ones can be starchy.
- Slice the sweet potatoes evenly: To ensure even cooking, slice the sweet potatoes into rounds or half-inch thick cubes. This will help them cook evenly and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Use the right combination of spices: To enhance the flavor of the sweet potatoes, use a combination of warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. These spices complement the natural sweetness of the potatoes and add depth to the dish.
- Don’t skimp on the butter and sugar: Southern candied sweet potatoes are all about the indulgence. Use a generous amount of butter and brown sugar to create a rich and sticky glaze that coats the potatoes. The butter helps to caramelize the sugar and create a deliciously sweet and buttery sauce.
- Slow cook for optimum flavor: To achieve tender and flavorful sweet potatoes, cook them slowly over low heat. This allows the flavors to meld together and for the sweet potatoes to absorb the flavors of the spices and glaze. Cooking them slowly also helps to create a thick and syrupy sauce that coats the potatoes.
Following these tips from professional chefs will help you create a mouthwatering dish of Southern candied sweet potatoes that will be the star of any meal.
Reviews
The Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes were an absolute delight to make and even more enjoyable to taste. As someone who loves experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, I was thrilled to stumble upon this one. The recipe was easy to follow and required minimal ingredients, which is always a plus.
The sweet potatoes turned out tender and rich, with a delicious caramelized glaze that added the perfect touch of sweetness. The combination of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon created a heavenly aroma that filled my kitchen as they baked. The dish was a great addition to my holiday feast and received rave reviews from my family and friends.
What I loved most about these Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes was the balance of flavors. The natural sweetness of the potatoes was enhanced by the caramelization process, creating a satisfying contrast with the slight tanginess of the butter. The cinnamon added a warm and comforting taste that made this dish a true Southern classic.
I highly recommend trying out this recipe if you’re looking for a delicious and simple way to elevate your sweet potato game. Whether it’s for a holiday gathering or a cozy family dinner, these Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are sure to impress. Plus, they’re a healthier alternative to traditional sweet potato casseroles, making them a guilt-free indulgence!
I recently tried the Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe and I must say, it was a revelation! As someone who loves cooking and exploring new flavors, I was excited to give this recipe a try. I was not disappointed. The combination of sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and spices created a delectable dish that was bursting with flavor.
The preparation of the dish was simple and straightforward. I peeled and sliced the sweet potatoes into rounds, and then cooked them in a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The aroma that filled my kitchen was heavenly. As the sweet potatoes cooked, they became tender and caramelized, resulting in a dish that was both sweet and savory.
The end result was a plateful of perfectly candied sweet potatoes that were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The texture was soft and velvety, with just the right amount of sweetness. Each bite was a delightful combination of flavors, with the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes complemented by the rich, buttery caramel. It was a wonderful addition to our Thanksgiving feast and received rave reviews from my family.
I highly recommend trying the Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this recipe is a winner. The flavors are incredibly satisfying and the dish is sure to impress. I will definitely be making this recipe again and again for special occasions and gatherings with loved ones.
I recently tried the recipe for Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes and I must say, they turned out absolutely delicious! The combination of sweet and savory flavors was just perfect. The potatoes were cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful.
The addition of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon created a caramel-like glaze that coated the sweet potatoes beautifully. It added a rich and indulgent taste to each bite. The sweet potatoes were perfectly balanced, not overly sweet but with just the right amount of natural sweetness.
I also loved how easy the recipe was to follow. The instructions were clear and concise, and the ingredients were readily available. It took just a few simple steps to create this mouthwatering dish.
All in all, I highly recommend trying out the recipe for Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes. It’s a delightful dish that will surely impress your family and friends. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a cozy family dinner, these sweet potatoes are a must-try!
