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Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple and Pecans Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes baking + 10-12 minutes boiling
  • Total Time: 45-50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This delicious recipe for Candied Sweet Potatoes combines tender boiled sweet potato cubes coated in a luscious maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, then baked to perfection with a crunchy pecan topping. Perfect as a comforting side dish, it offers a sweet and warmly spiced flavor profile that enhances any meal, especially during festive occasions or holiday dinners.


Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potatoes

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes

Syrup and Spice Mixture

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Toppings (Optional)

  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes.
  2. Boil Sweet Potatoes: Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot of boiling water and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just tender but not falling apart. Drain well and set aside.
  3. Make Syrup Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir continuously and cook for 3-5 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened into a syrup.
  4. Combine Sweet Potatoes with Syrup: Add the boiled sweet potatoes to the saucepan and toss gently to coat all the cubes evenly with the syrup mixture.
  5. Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer the coated sweet potatoes to the dish, spreading them out evenly. Pour any remaining syrup over the top to enhance the glaze.
  6. Add Pecans: Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the sweet potatoes, if using, to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
  7. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Stir the sweet potatoes halfway through baking to ensure even glazing and cooking. The syrup will thicken, creating a shiny glaze on the tender sweet potatoes.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the candied sweet potatoes cool slightly before serving. This allows the glaze to set for the best texture and taste.

Notes

  • Boiling the sweet potatoes before baking ensures they are tender and reduces baking time.
  • Chopped pecans add a delicious crunch but can be omitted for a nut-free dish.
  • You can substitute maple syrup with honey if preferred for a different flavor nuance.
  • Stirring halfway through baking helps the glaze evenly coat the sweet potatoes and prevents sticking.
  • For extra richness, consider adding a pinch of ground ginger or clove to the syrup mixture.