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Candied sweet potatoes are a classic holiday side dish. They combine tender sweet potatoes with a rich, caramelized glaze, bringing a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth to any holiday table, making them an irresistible side everyone loves.
Candied sweet potatoes are a holiday staple in our family — a dish that connects generations. They’ve graced our Thanksgiving table since before I could walk, and became a Christmas tradition long before I ever heard of Santa. In fact, this recipe has been in our family for more than five generations, dating back to before the American Civil War. Aside from a small tweak to simplify the glaze, it’s the same recipe that’s been passed from one cook to the next — lovingly, faithfully, and without fail every holiday season.
Despite their gourmet appearance, these candied sweet potatoes remain one of the simplest and most rewarding dishes you’ll make this time of year. Buttery, caramelized, and kissed with warm spice — they’re the kind of side that reminds you why family traditions matter, one spoonful at a time.
Why I Love this Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Classic holiday side dish—this dish has a comforting familiarity that never fails to bring back cherished memories, making it a must-have on any holiday table. Plus, it pairs beautifully with the other traditional favorites like turkey and stuffing, rounding out the meal with its irresistible sweetness.
- Simply delicious—this holiday side dish perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. The caramelized sugar gives the sweet potatoes a rich, buttery glaze, while the warm spices add a festive touch that feels like the holidays in every bite.
- Easy to prepare—it’s an easy recipe to prepare, which is perfect for the busy holiday season when you’re juggling multiple dishes. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a dish that looks and tastes impressive without the stress. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is straightforward and requires only a quick peel, slice, and bake. The oven does most of the work, giving you time to focus on other dishes or enjoy the holiday festivities while it cooks to perfection.
First-Things-First: Mise en Place
Before you start with the recipe, let me share some kitchen wisdom that’s made cooking much easier over the years. It’s called Mise en Place—a French phrase that means “everything in its place.” It might sound fancy, but it’s just about setting yourself up for success: read the recipe all the way through, gather your tools, then prep and measure everything before you turn on the heat.
This simple habit takes the guesswork out of cooking and keeps surprises to a minimum. Whether you’re new to the kitchen or have been cooking for decades, Mise en Place is a process that makes a big difference.
Curious to learn more? I recommend Everything in Its Place: The Power of Mise-En-Place to Organize Your Life, Work, and Mind—it’s a great read that goes way beyond the kitchen.
Ingredients for Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the dish, naturally sweet with a tender texture that caramelizes beautifully when baked.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create the smooth, buttery glaze.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses the dish with a warm, aromatic sweetness that deepens the flavor of the candied glaze.
- Ground Nutmeg: Enhances the sweetness of the potatoes with its earthy, slightly nutty flavor.
- Allspice: Adds depth and holiday warmth to the dish.
- Cayenne Pepper: A subtle kick of heat that adds complexity to each bite.
- Kosher Salt: Helps to enhance all the flavors, keeping the sweetness in check while rounding out the overall taste.
- Fresh Ground Pepper: Balances the sweet and savory elements.
How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Rinse and peel the potatoes.
- Then cut the potatoes into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Boil the potatoes to pre-cook.
- Mix the glaze.
- Bake and Serve.
Variations
- When done baking, top the sweet potatoes with marshmallows and toast under the broiler for 5 minutes until brown.
- Add a splash of bourbon to the glaze mixture before cooking. The alcohol will bake off, leaving a subtle hint of the bourbon that balances the sweetness.
- Add a tablespoon or two of Maple syrup to the glaze mixture to bring another layer of flavor.
- Sprinkle pecans or walnuts over the sweet potatoes before baking for additional texture and flavor.
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerator – Up to 3 days
If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer – Up to 3 months
You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheat
When you’re ready to eat the leftover sweet potatoes, place them onto a plate and heat for 30 seconds at a time until they reach the desired temperature.
PrintCandied Sweet Potatoes
Rich, buttery, and caramelized to perfection — these Candied Sweet Potatoes bring warm holiday comfort to every table. A simple brown-sugar glaze transforms tender sweet potatoes into a Thanksgiving classic everyone loves.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Oven Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Sides, Holiday
- Method: Stovetop, Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
- 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into roughly 1½-inch bite-sized chunks. Place in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until fork-tender, about 12–15 minutes, checking after 10 minutes to avoid overcooking. Drain well and transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Make the glaze: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the brown sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, allspice, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir continuously over low heat until the sugar is fully melted and the glaze is smooth and glossy.
- Combine and bake: Pour the warm glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes, tossing gently to coat. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned around the edges. Spoon some of the sauce from the bottom of the dish over the top before serving.
