Candied sweet potatoes, a classic dish often enjoyed during Thanksgiving, offer a rich and indulgent taste experience. They feature a soft, buttery texture with caramelized edges, and a flavor profile that includes vanilla, brown sugar, maple, cinnamon, and ginger. For an extra flavor boost, you can add orange zest, rosemary, and sea salt.
Recipe Highlights:
- Ingredients: This recipe uses medium sweet potatoes, unsalted butter, water, pure maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla extract. You can optionally add orange zest and rosemary for garnish.
- Preparation Steps: Start by peeling and slicing the sweet potatoes into half-inch slices. Place them in a greased baking dish. Then, make a sauce with butter, water, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla extract, and pour it over the potatoes.
- Cooking Method: Bake the dish for an hour at 375°F (191°C), stirring every 20 minutes to ensure the potatoes caramelize evenly.
- Serving Suggestions: Finish the dish with optional rosemary and sea salt, and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Key Points:
- Rich Flavor: The sweet potatoes combined with the buttery brown sugar maple sauce create a delightful taste.
- Convenience: You can prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time, which is great for busy holiday cooking.
- Versatility: This dish suits various occasions, not just Thanksgiving, making it a versatile choice for any celebration.
Essential Ingredients for Candied Sweetness
For making candied sweet potatoes, a dish celebrated for its rich sweetness and tender texture, certain key ingredients are essential. These ingredients work together to create the unique flavor and texture that make this dish a favorite, especially during holiday seasons like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Essential Ingredients:
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the dish, sweet potatoes should be firm and fresh. Choose ones with a reddish or copper skin, which are typically sweeter and softer when cooked.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred as it adds richness and helps in caramelizing the sweet potatoes, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: This adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness, complementing the natural sugars of the sweet potatoes.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup contributes a distinct, rich flavor. It’s advisable to use real maple syrup instead of artificial flavored ones for the best taste.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are commonly used. These spices add warmth and depth to the dish, elevating its flavor profile.
- Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla extract can enhance the overall flavor, adding a subtle aromatic sweetness.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial to balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
Optional Enhancements:
- Orange Zest: For a hint of citrusy freshness.
- Rosemary: Fresh or dried, it adds a savory note that contrasts nicely with the sweetness.
- Sea Salt: A sprinkle on top can enhance the sweet and savory balance of the dish.
These ingredients, when combined, create a delightful harmony of flavors and textures, making candied sweet potatoes a memorable and much-loved dish.
Preparing Your Sweet Potatoes
Preparing sweet potatoes for a dish like candied sweet potatoes involves a few simple but crucial steps. Proper preparation ensures that the sweet potatoes cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients effectively. Here’s how to do it:
Steps for Preparing Sweet Potatoes:
- Selecting the Right Potatoes: Choose sweet potatoes that are firm, with no soft spots or signs of sprouting. Look for ones with smooth, reddish-copper skin, as these are often sweeter and softer when cooked.
- Washing: Rinse the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water. Use a vegetable brush if available to scrub off any dirt or debris from the skin.
- Peeling: Although sweet potato skin is edible, for candied sweet potatoes, it’s common to peel them to ensure a smooth texture. Use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to peel the skin off.
- Slicing: Cut the sweet potatoes into even slices or chunks, depending on your recipe. Consistent size is key for even cooking. For candied sweet potatoes, slices about half an inch thick are ideal.
- Soaking (Optional): Some people prefer to soak the sliced sweet potatoes in water for about an hour to remove excess starch. This step is optional and depends on your texture preference.
- Drying: If you’ve soaked the potatoes, dry them thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This helps in achieving a better caramelization during cooking.
- Seasoning and Tossing: Before cooking, you might want to toss the sweet potato slices with a bit of salt or other seasonings as per your recipe. This helps to start building the flavor layers.
Tips:
- Avoid Browning: Sweet potatoes can brown quickly once cut. If you’re not cooking them immediately, keep them submerged in water to prevent discoloration.
- Uniformity is Key: Try to cut the sweet potatoes into as uniform pieces as possible for even cooking.
- Storage: If you’re prepping ahead of time, store the peeled and cut sweet potatoes in the refrigerator in an airtight container or a bowl of water.
By following these steps, your sweet potatoes will be perfectly prepped and ready to be transformed into a delicious, candied dish.
Oven-Baked Candied Sweet Potatoes
Oven-baked candied sweet potatoes are a delightful dish, combining the natural sweetness of the potatoes with a rich, caramelized glaze. This method of preparation enhances the flavors and creates a wonderful texture. Here’s a simple guide to making oven-baked candied sweet potatoes.
Ingredients:
- Sweet potatoes (about 3-4 large ones)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: orange zest, chopped rosemary, or sea salt for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Wash, peel, and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Arrange them in a single layer in a large baking dish.
- Make the Glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture is well combined and begins to bubble. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Coat the Potatoes: Pour the glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour. Every 20 minutes, gently stir the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with the glaze.
- Check for Doneness: The sweet potatoes are done when they are tender and the glaze has caramelized.
- Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish with orange zest, chopped rosemary, or a sprinkle of sea salt. Serve warm as a delightful side dish.
Tips:
- Even Slices: Ensure the sweet potatoes are sliced evenly for uniform cooking.
- Basting: Regularly basting the sweet potatoes with the glaze during baking will enhance the flavor and create a nice caramelization.
- Adjusting Sweetness: You can adjust the amount of sugar and maple syrup based on your preference for sweetness.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Enjoy your oven-baked candied sweet potatoes as a special treat during holidays or as a delicious side dish for your family meals!
Creative Serving Ideas
Serving candied sweet potatoes in creative ways can transform this classic dish into an even more delightful and visually appealing experience. Here are some innovative ideas to serve candied sweet potatoes:
1. Sweet Potato Stacks:
- How-To: Use a muffin tin to create individual sweet potato stacks. Layer thin slices of the candied sweet potatoes in each muffin cup, pouring a bit of the glaze between layers.
- Presentation: Serve these stacks as a unique, portion-controlled side that’s both elegant and easy to serve.
2. Twice-Baked Candied Sweet Potatoes:
- How-To: After baking the sweet potatoes, scoop out the insides and mix with the candied mixture. Refill the skins and bake again until the tops are slightly crispy.
- Presentation: Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.
3. Sweet Potato Parfait:
- How-To: Layer mashed candied sweet potatoes with cream cheese or Greek yogurt in a clear glass.
- Presentation: Top with granola or crushed gingersnap cookies for a dessert-like treat.
4. Candied Sweet Potato Bites:
- How-To: Cut the candied sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes after baking. Skewer them with toothpicks.
- Presentation: Serve as appetizers or a part of a holiday platter, perhaps with a dip like a spiced honey or yogurt sauce.
5. Sweet Potato Mash with Candied Pecans:
- How-To: Mash the baked candied sweet potatoes and top with candied pecans for added crunch.
- Presentation: Serve in a rustic bowl, garnished with a sprig of rosemary for a touch of elegance.
6. Sweet Potato Casserole Cups:
- How-To: Use mini ramekins to bake individual servings of candied sweet potatoes, topped with marshmallows or a crumble topping.
- Presentation: This gives a personal touch to each serving, ideal for dinner parties.
7. Candied Sweet Potato Tart:
- How-To: Fill a pre-baked tart shell with mashed candied sweet potatoes and bake until set.
- Presentation: Serve slices garnished with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
8. Sweet Potato Waffle Topping:
- How-To: Serve mashed candied sweet potatoes as a topping for waffles or pancakes.
- Presentation: Add a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of maple syrup for a breakfast or brunch treat.
9. Grilled Sweet Potato Slices:
- How-To: After initial baking, slice the sweet potatoes and give them a quick grill for a smoky flavor.
- Presentation: Serve with a sprinkle of sea salt and a side of apple-cranberry chutney.
10. Sweet Potato Boat:
- How-To: Hollow out halved baked sweet potatoes and fill them with a mixture of candied sweet potatoes and other ingredients like nuts or dried fruit.
- Presentation: Garnish with a sprinkle of brown sugar and broil for a few minutes for a caramelized top.
These creative serving ideas can elevate the humble candied sweet potato to a new level of culinary delight, making it a versatile dish that can fit into any meal, from a casual family dinner to a sophisticated holiday feast.
For detailed instructions andmore tips, check out the original recipe on Sally’s Baking Addiction.