Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be served in place of regular white ones or made into mash or fries. However, if its holiday season and you want something extra-special, you just can’t go wrong with an authentic Southern sweet potatoes recipe!

This one is delicious not only because the butter makes it extra rich, but also because the warm spices complement the sweet flavor so perfectly. The recipe also calls for sugar and a pinch of salt, along with a splash of vanilla.

Now this might sound more like a dessert than a savory side but what you’re actually getting is the best of both worlds. You could even use this mixture as a pie filling! Southern chefs don’t shy away from butter or sugar but since you’re making this dish, you can reduce the amount of sugar if you want. After all, sweet potatoes are called exactly that for a reason!

Sweet potatoes are versatile enough to be a side dish or dessert. This recipe combines them with sugar, butter and spices to make a side dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other time when only extra-special sides will make the grade!

Why You’ll Love the Recipe:

This is a wonderful choice if you want a side dish for the holidays. There’s nothing boring about this sweet potatoes recipe. Everything from the rich butter to the warm, aromatic spices, the luxurious vanilla, and the tasty potatoes themselves works perfectly in this side dish. Pair it with your favorite meat, perhaps green beans, and don’t forget the stuffing, and you’re sure to come up with fabulous festive fare everyone will love.

How to Serve Them:

This Southern favorite is great served alongside turkey or ham. It might not be the mini marshmallows dotted kind of sweet potato dish you often see at Thanksgiving but it’s every bit as sweet and every bit as good. Since it’s so sweet, you should offer a savory side dish as well, for contrast.

Ingredients:

• Cinnamon
• Sweet potatoes
• Nutmeg
• Butter
• Vanilla
• Sugar
• Salt to taste

How to make Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes:

Step 1. Wash, peel, and chop the potatoes into pieces.

Step 2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat on the stove. 

Step 3. Stir the potatoes into the butter.

Step 4. I mixed the nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, and salt in a small bowl.

Then add them to the skillet, and reduce the heat to medium-low.

Step 5. Cover, and cook for 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender. 

Step 6. Stir in the vanilla once removed from the heat, and serve. 

Can You Make Them Ahead?

You can assemble the dish ahead but don’t bake it or add the vanilla until just before serving.

Storage Instructions:

Leftovers will be fine for a few days if you keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can warm them up in the microwave or in the oven. You could also warm leftovers up on the stove but the potato slices will fall apart if you choose this method, and the same applies if you freeze this dish.

Variations and Substitutions:

Feel free to omit some or even all of the sugar. Southern sweet potatoes are all about the sweetness factor but not everyone wants their sweet potatoes that sweet, so make any adjustments you need. Also, you can leave out the vanilla if you want, or swap one or both of the spices for allspice (or pumpkin pie spice).