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If you’re searching for that perfect balance of sweet, warm spices, and rich buttery goodness, then you absolutely must try this Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe. It’s a comforting dish that wraps tender slices of sweet potato in a luscious, caramelized glaze bursting with cinnamon, nutmeg, and just the right hint of maple syrup. This recipe is a wonderful way to elevate your side dishes, especially when you want to impress family or friends with something both classic and decadently flavorful. Whether it’s for a holiday feast or a cozy weeknight meal, these candied sweet potatoes bring joy with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind the Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each component plays an essential role in building layers of flavor, texture, and that beautiful golden hue that makes this dish so inviting.
- Sweet potatoes: The star of the dish, their natural sweetness and creamy texture melt perfectly under the glaze.
- Salt: Just a touch to enhance the natural flavors and balance sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps develop the glaze’s smooth texture.
- Water: Used to help the glaze sauce reach the perfect consistency.
- Pure maple syrup: Imparts a deep, natural sweetness with those beloved maple notes.
- Brown sugar (light or dark): Provides caramel richness and a slight molasses undertone for complexity.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and that classic spice signature.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty spice that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
- Ground ginger: Introduces a delicate zing to brighten the flavor profile.
- Pure vanilla extract: Rounds out the sweetness with a smooth, fragrant touch.
- Optional orange zest: Adds a fresh citrus lift that elevates the glaze to new heights.
- Optional chopped fresh or dried rosemary and flaky sea salt: Perfect for garnishing and introducing an herbal contrast and subtle crunch.
How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Start by peeling your sweet potatoes and slicing them into half-inch thick rounds. This thickness ensures they cook evenly while still holding their shape under the glaze. Place the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and sprinkle evenly with the salt to elevate all those natural flavors. Toss gently so each piece gets a light seasoning coating.
Step 2: Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (191°C). This temperature is just right for gently cooking the sweet potatoes while allowing the glaze to thicken and caramelize beautifully without burning.
Step 3: Whip Up the Maple Brown Sugar Glaze
Cut your butter in half to let it melt evenly in a saucepan over medium heat. Combine the butter, water, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Stir until fully melted, then stop stirring and bring the mixture to a gentle boil to help it thicken slightly. After two minutes of boiling, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and optional orange zest for an extra fragrant kick. This glaze is what turns your sweet potatoes into a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece.
Step 4: Coat and Bake the Sweet Potatoes
Pour the warm glaze over the sweet potatoes, tossing carefully to coat each slice. Slide the baking dish into the oven and bake for one hour, stirring every 20 minutes for even cooking and glaze distribution. After the first 20 minutes, cover your dish with foil to ensure the potatoes soften just right without drying out. This baking process creates those irresistible golden edges and a sticky glaze that clings lovingly to each piece.
Step 5: Finish and Cool
Once baked, take the dish out and sprinkle with chopped rosemary and flaky sea salt if you’re going for a savory-herbal contrast that sings alongside the sweet glaze. Let the sweet potatoes cool uncovered for about 10 minutes. During this time, the glaze thickens to that perfect syrupy consistency you’ll adore. Now, you’re ready to dig in!
How to Serve Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh rosemary or a light dusting of flaky sea salt adds an unexpected but delightful savory touch. Toasted pecans or chopped walnuts also bring incredible crunch and nuttiness that pairs beautifully with the sweet glaze.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted meats like ham or turkey, making it an ideal companion for holiday tables. For a vegetarian meal, serve alongside a hearty grain salad or steamed green beans to balance the sweetness with some fresh, crisp textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering these glazed sweet potatoes in a casserole topped with a sprinkle of pecans or mini marshmallows for a playful presentation. You can also portion them individually in ramekins for an elegant single-serving side. The shiny glaze and vibrant orange slices are simply stunning on any plate!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftover candied sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the dish even more delicious the next day.
Freezing
If you want to save time on busy days, freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To enjoy your leftovers, warm them gently in the microwave or oven. The glaze will loosen up beautifully, restoring that glossy, saucy texture that makes this dish so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use fresh orange zest in the glaze?
Absolutely! Fresh orange zest brightens the flavor profile nicely, adding a zesty contrast to the sweetness of the glaze. It’s optional but highly recommended if you love a hint of citrus.
What type of sweet potatoes work best?
Medium to large orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are ideal for this recipe, offering the perfect balance of sweetness and firmness for baking. Avoid overly soft or very small varieties to ensure even cooking.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can substitute the unsalted butter with a vegan butter or coconut oil. Make sure the brown sugar is certified vegan to keep everything plant-based.
Is it possible to prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can assemble the dish and prepare the glaze a few hours ahead, then cover and refrigerate. When ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if the dish is cold from the fridge.
How can I make this recipe less sweet?
To tone down the sweetness, reduce the brown sugar slightly and consider adding a pinch more salt or sprinkling the finished dish with a little extra flaky sea salt for balance.
Final Thoughts
This Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s simple enough for an everyday meal yet special enough for celebrations. Once you try these tender, spiced, and syrupy-sweet potatoes, you’ll understand why they become an instant favorite. I can’t wait for you to make this recipe your own and share it with the people you love!
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Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Candied Sweet Potatoes feature tender slices of sweet potatoes baked in a luscious, spiced maple-brown sugar sauce that caramelizes to perfection. This classic side dish combines warm autumnal flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger with the natural sweetness of maple syrup and brown sugar, finished with a hint of vanilla. Perfect for holiday dinners or comforting family meals, these sweet potatoes are garnished optionally with rosemary and flaky sea salt for an added aromatic touch.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 5–6 medium sweet potatoes (3–4 lbs)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sauce
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon (15ml) water
- 1/4 cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- optional: 2 teaspoons orange zest
Garnish (Optional)
- chopped fresh or dried rosemary
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Place the slices in a greased 9×13-inch or similar 3-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss to evenly coat. Grease the dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (191°C) and allow it to fully preheat while you make the sauce.
- Make the Sauce: Cut the stick of butter in half to help it melt faster. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, water, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Stir continuously until the butter fully melts. Then stop stirring and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Allow it to boil without stirring for 2 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest if using.
- Coat Sweet Potatoes: Pour the warm spiced sauce over the sliced sweet potatoes and toss gently to coat all pieces evenly with the sauce.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, cover the dish with aluminum foil to ensure even baking and continue to bake for an additional 40 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure all pieces are coated well.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven after one hour of baking. If desired, sprinkle chopped rosemary and flaky sea salt on top for added flavor. Let the sweet potatoes cool uncovered for 10 minutes; the sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Store Leftovers: Cover and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 1 week. The sauce will thicken in the fridge but can be thinned by reheating in the microwave before serving.
Notes
- Cutting the butter in half helps it melt more quickly and evenly during sauce preparation.
- Covering the dish with foil after 20 minutes of baking helps prevent the sweet potatoes from drying out and allows them to bake evenly.
- Optional orange zest adds a bright citrus note that complements the warm spices.
- Garnishing with chopped rosemary and flaky sea salt adds an aromatic and flavorful contrast to the sweetness.
- Stirring every 20 minutes during baking keeps the sweet potatoes evenly coated and prevents burning.
- Leftover candied sweet potatoes reheat well in the microwave, though the sauce may thicken when chilled.
