Description
A classic and sweet side dish of tender sweet potatoes cooked with a rich, buttery, and spiced brown sugar glaze, perfect for holiday dinners or comforting family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 large sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds total), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
Candied Sauce
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep Sweet Potatoes: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 350ºF. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
- Simmer Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes in a large saucepan or pot and cover with water by about 1 inch. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat and simmer until just fork-pierceable but not fully cooked, about 10 minutes. Avoid overcooking.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sweet potatoes to an 8×8-inch baking dish in an even layer, reserving the cooking water.
- Prepare the Glaze: Measure 3/4 cup of the warm reserved cooking water into a bowl or measuring cup. Stir in the dark brown sugar until dissolved, then add vanilla extract and stir to combine. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg evenly over the sweet potatoes.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the brown sugar and water mixture over the sweet potatoes, scatter cubed butter over the top, and bake for 5 minutes.
- Toss and Continue Baking: Remove the baking dish carefully from the oven and gently toss the sweet potatoes to coat them evenly with the sauce. Return to the oven and bake until fork-tender, about 10 minutes more.
- Final Touches and Serve: Once done, spoon the thickened candied sauce evenly over the yams. Let cool about 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further. Serve warm.
Notes
- Make ahead: Cook up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate along with 3/4 cup reserved cooking water.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days. Butter may solidify but will melt upon reheating; stir before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe (approx. 150 grams)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
