Description
Delightfully sweet and buttery, these candied sweet potatoes are a perfect side dish for holiday meals or any comforting dinner. Tender sweet potato rounds are baked in a rich sauce made from butter, dark brown sugar, apple cider, bourbon (optional), and a touch of cinnamon, resulting in a caramelized glaze that enhances their natural sweetness.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sweet Potatoes:
- 3 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rounds
Syrup and Seasoning:
- 6 Tbsp. butter, plus more room temperature for baking dish
- 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 3 Tbsp. bourbon (optional)
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush a medium-sized baking dish generously with room temperature butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Make the Syrup: In a small saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the dark brown sugar, apple cider, bourbon if using, and ground cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and simmer until the syrup thickens slightly—this should take about 2 minutes.
- Assemble Sweet Potatoes: Arrange the sweet potato rounds in layers inside the prepared baking dish, seasoning each layer lightly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the warm syrup evenly over the top of the potatoes to coat them thoroughly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This steaming step begins softening the sweet potatoes.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil, give the potatoes a gentle stir to coat them again with the syrup, then continue baking uncovered for about 40 minutes more. The sweet potatoes should become tender and develop a luscious, caramelized coating.
Notes
- You can omit the bourbon to keep the recipe family-friendly without sacrificing much flavor.
- Make sure to cut the sweet potatoes into uniform ½-inch rounds for even cooking.
- Use kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to season; adjust to your taste preferences.
- For a deeper caramel flavor, you can brown the butter slightly before whisking in the sugar and other ingredients, but be careful not to burn it.
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats or as part of a holiday feast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
