Homemade Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes: A Soul Food Classic

Prepare to elevate your Sunday dinners and holiday feasts with this authentic homemade Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe. Baked to perfection in the oven and then drenched in a rich, thick caramelized syrup, this dish is a true celebration of Southern culinary tradition. It’s not just a side; it’s a comforting classic that brings warmth and flavor to any gathering.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.

For generations, “candied yams” – often affectionately referred to as “Black folks’ sweet potatoes” – have held a cherished place at countless Southern tables. From soul food Sunday dinners to every major holiday spread, this dish is synonymous with comfort, family, and tradition. Having enjoyed countless variations over the years, I’ve come to appreciate a perfectly balanced rendition. While some recipes err on the side of excessive sweetness, my goal is to create a delightful harmony, saving some sugar for dessert while still delivering that unmistakable candied potato goodness.

This recipe focuses on achieving that ideal balance of sweet and savory, with tender sweet potatoes bathed in a fragrant, spiced syrup. It’s a dish that evokes memories and creates new ones, proving that simple, wholesome ingredients can produce truly unforgettable flavors.

What’s the Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?

This is a common point of confusion, especially in Southern cooking! In most American grocery stores, what are labeled “yams” are actually a specific type of sweet potato. The orange-fleshed, moist sweet potatoes that are ubiquitous in the South are often mislabeled as yams.

True yams are an entirely different botanical species. They are starchy, drier, and have a rough, bark-like brown skin. Originating from Africa and Asia, true yams are staples in Caribbean and West African cuisines but are incredibly difficult to find in the United States, usually only available in international markets. So, when Southerners refer to “candied yams,” they are almost always talking about the sweet, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes we all know and love. This tradition of calling them yams dates back centuries, particularly in regions like Louisiana, where African culinary influences are strong. For this recipe, rest assured, we are using the familiar sweet potato.

For a deeper dive, you can read more about The Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes here.

Baking vs. Stovetop: The Great Sweet Potato Debate

The method of cooking candied sweet potatoes is a passionately debated topic in many Southern kitchens. While some prefer the quicker stovetop approach, I firmly believe that baking them in the oven yields a superior texture and a more deeply caramelized flavor, much like the perfect baked mac and cheese. Oven baking allows the sweet potatoes to slowly tenderize and absorb the rich glaze, resulting in a beautifully soft interior with slightly browned, flavorful edges.

The stovetop method can be faster, but it sometimes results in a softer, almost mushy texture if not carefully managed. It can also be harder to achieve that deep, roasted flavor. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and both methods can produce delicious results. However, for a truly authentic and satisfying Southern candied sweet potato experience, I wholeheartedly recommend the oven-baked approach outlined in this recipe. The slightly longer cook time is well worth the incredible depth of flavor and texture you’ll achieve.

Preparing Your Sweet Potatoes for Perfection

Proper preparation of your sweet potatoes is key to this dish’s success. Always start by thoroughly scrubbing the potatoes under cool running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Peeling them is essential for that smooth, tender candied texture. After peeling, the way you slice your sweet potatoes can influence both cooking time and presentation. Here are a few popular methods:

• Rounds: This is my preferred method. Slicing the sweet potatoes into uniform rounds, about half an inch to one inch thick, ensures even cooking and a beautiful presentation. They hold their shape well and are perfect for soaking up the glaze.
• Bite-Sized Chunks: If you prefer a more rustic look or smaller portions, cutting them into one-inch thick chunks works wonderfully. This can sometimes speed up cooking slightly.
• Large Ovals: For larger, more substantial pieces, you can slice them lengthwise into thick ovals. This method is great for a hearty side.

No matter your chosen shape, consistency in thickness is crucial for ensuring all pieces cook evenly. A sharp knife or a mandoline slicer (use with caution!) can help achieve uniform slices.

Crafting the Perfect Caramelized Glaze

The rich, buttery, and perfectly spiced glaze is what truly transforms ordinary sweet potatoes into an extraordinary candied dish. My recipe calls for a harmonious blend of sweeteners and aromatic spices that create a deep, complex flavor profile without being overwhelmingly sweet. While traditional recipes often use standard table sugar, I sometimes opt for monk fruit sweeteners to lighten the dish, and you can easily substitute them with the same measurements if you wish. The key is the combination of ingredients that create a sticky, luscious syrup:

• Brown Sugar or Sweetener: Adds a deep molasses flavor and moisture, contributing to the caramelized richness.
• White Sugar or Sweetener: Provides pure sweetness and helps achieve the desired glaze consistency.
• Cinnamon: A quintessential warm spice that pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes.
• Nutmeg: Offers a warm, slightly nutty undertone that complements cinnamon beautifully.
• Ground Cloves: A small touch of cloves adds a pungent, aromatic depth that rounds out the spice blend.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Essential for adding a comforting, classic aroma and flavor that ties all the other elements together.

This carefully selected blend of spices and sugars ensures a glaze that is both sweet and wonderfully aromatic. Some recipes include marshmallows, but with this robust flavor combination, I find them unnecessary as the dish is already perfectly sweet and rich. However, if marshmallows are a must-have for your tradition, feel free to add them towards the end of the baking process for a gooey topping.

How to Make Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Creating this beloved soul food side dish is simpler than you might think, yielding impressive results with minimal effort. The full, detailed recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions is available at the bottom of this post, but here’s a quick overview of the process:

1. Prepare the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it’s ready for baking.
2. Arrange Sweet Potatoes: Place your peeled and sliced sweet potatoes evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish. This size is ideal for a standard batch, allowing for good surface area and even cooking.
3. Craft the Glaze: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted and shimmering, add your blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, white sugar, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir consistently until the sugars dissolve and the mixture thickens into a saucy glaze.
4. Infuse with Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the pure vanilla extract. The vanilla’s aroma and flavor will deepen as it combines with the warm spices and sugars.
5. Combine and Bake: Pour this luscious candied mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Ensure every piece is coated. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for the initial cooking period.
6. Stir and Continue Baking: After the initial bake, remove the foil, gently stir and baste the sweet potatoes, ensuring they are thoroughly coated in the developing glaze. Re-cover with foil and continue baking until fork-tender.
7. Rest and Serve: Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after baking. This crucial step allows the glaze to thicken further, creating that perfect caramelized coating.

Following these steps will result in tender, sweet, and perfectly spiced candied sweet potatoes that will be the star of your meal.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One of the best features of Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes is their ability to be prepared ahead of time, making them a fantastic option for busy holiday cooking or meal prep. This dish reheats beautifully, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen and meld.

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the entire dish, bake it, and allow it to cool completely before storing. If you plan to serve it several days later, you might undercook it slightly during the initial bake, then finish it in the oven just before serving. Alternatively, you can peel and slice the sweet potatoes and prepare the glaze a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake on the day of your event.
• Storage: To store leftovers, transfer the candied sweet potatoes to an airtight container. They will last for 3-4 days when properly covered and refrigerated. Ensure the glaze is thick enough before storing, as it will continue to firm up in the cold.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat in the oven at 300-325°F (150-160°C) until warmed through, usually about 20-30 minutes. You can add a splash of water or a small pat of butter if the glaze appears too thick or dry. Microwaving is also an option for individual servings, though it may not retain the same caramelized texture.

Soul Food Main Dish Pairings

Candied sweet potatoes are an indispensable side dish, perfectly complementing a wide array of hearty Southern main courses. Here are some incredible main dishes that pair wonderfully with this sweet and savory treat:

• Baked Turkey Wings
• Southern Baked Ham With Pineapple
• Cajun Roasted Turkey
• Air Fryer Turkey Breast
• Air Fryer Baked Ham
• Traeger Smoked Turkey
• Instant Pot Brisket
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken
• Lobster Mac and Cheese

Complementary Southern Side Dishes

Beyond the main course, candied sweet potatoes shine alongside other classic Southern sides. Create a complete and satisfying meal with these delicious additions:

• Homemade Southern Cornbread
• Air Fryer Cornbread
• Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
• Sweet Potato Biscuits
• Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
• Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce
• Cornbread Muffins
• Homemade Blueberry Cornbread
• Sweet Potato Cornbread
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar

Hearty Southern Vegetable Dishes

A true Southern spread isn’t complete without a variety of flavorful vegetable sides. These dishes bring balance and richness to any meal, perfectly accompanying your candied sweet potatoes:

• Southern Green Beans
• Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
• Southern Collard Greens
• Homemade Creamed Corn
• Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin
• Southern Coleslaw Recipe
• Southern Potato Salad
• Southern Mustard Greens
• Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
• Instant Pot Collard Greens
• Instant Pot Cabbage
• Fried Cabbage
• Okra and Tomatoes
• Southern Black Eyed Peas
• Squash Dressing

For a complete listing of Southern Style Soul Food Recipes, click here. You will also love our Candied Sweet Potatoes (Yams) with Marshmallows, Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes, and Sweet Potato Casserole Without Marshmallows recipes for more sweet potato inspiration.

Planning a holiday feast? Explore our extensive collection of Soul Food Thanksgiving Recipes and the Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes. If you’re looking to switch up your holiday centerpiece, don’t miss our Thanksgiving Chicken recipe.

Easy Southern Soul Food Candied Sweet Potatoes

Brandi Crawford

This Easy Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe is homemade from scratch and baked in the oven. From there, you drizzle the dish in a thick caramelized syrup. Your Sunday dinners and soul food holiday events just got much better!

5 from 19 votes

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Rate this recipe
Leave a review!

Prep Time
15 mins

Cook Time
1 hr

Total Time
1 hr 15 mins

Course
Side Dish

Cuisine
American, Southern

Servings
5 servings

Calories
209 kcal

Want to save this recipe for later?

I’ll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.

Equipment Needed

• 9×13 Baking Dish
• Foil

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes Washed and peeled. This was 2 large sweet potatoes for me. Weigh for accuracy.
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup dark brown sugar or sweetener
• ¾ cup white sugar or sweetener
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract I use pure vanilla, not imitation.
• ¼ cup water Optional, for glaze consistency.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
2. Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into rounds about ½ to 1 inch thick. I love to use this swivel peeler from Amazon. It peels fast.
   2 pounds sweet potatoes
3. Add the sliced sweet potatoes to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading them evenly.
4. Heat a saucepan on medium-high heat and add the butter. Allow it to melt completely.
   ½ cup unsalted butter
5. Once the butter is melted, add the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, white sugar, brown sugar, and salt to the saucepan. Stir continuously until the sugars melt down and the mixture forms a thick, somewhat saucy glaze. Do not overcook the glaze. If the mixture is too thick, add about ¼ cup of water; avoid adding too much, or the glaze will be too thin. Taste the glaze and adjust sugar or spices to your preference.
   ½ teaspoon salt,
   ½ cup dark brown sugar or sweetener,
   ¾ cup white sugar or sweetener,
   1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
   ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg,
   ¼ teaspoon ground cloves,
   2 teaspoons vanilla extract,
   ¼ cup water
6. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the prepared candied glaze mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish.
7. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Carefully remove the foil, stir the sweet potatoes, and baste them generously with the glaze. Ensure all sweet potatoes are well coated. I like to move the sweet potatoes from the bottom to the top to ensure they all cook evenly and are coated in the delicious glaze.
9. Cover the pan with foil again and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. The total baking time will vary by oven; mine typically takes the full 20 minutes for this stage. Test the sweet potatoes by piercing them with a fork—they should be soft and tender.
10. Allow the sweet potatoes to sit for 15 minutes after baking before stirring and serving. This resting period is crucial as it allows the candied glaze to thicken beautifully, creating that perfect caramelized texture.

Video Demonstration

Watch the full recipe video on our YouTube channel for a visual guide to making these delicious candied sweet potatoes!

Watch on YouTube

Notes

• If this is your first time making candied sweet potatoes, I recommend starting with half of the recommended sugar/sweetener amounts in the glaze. Taste and gradually add more until you reach your desired level of sweetness.
• Feel free to omit or adjust any of the spices to suit your personal taste preferences. You can also add a pinch of ginger or allspice for more complexity.
• Keep a close eye on your sweet potatoes while baking. Oven temperatures can vary, so the cooking time may be slightly more or less than specified. The goal is fork-tender potatoes.
• It’s essential to allow the sweet potatoes to sit and rest for 15 minutes after baking. This step is crucial for the glaze to properly thicken. If you serve them immediately, the glaze might be too runny.
• Don’t worry if you notice some sugar grains in your glaze after pouring it over the sweet potatoes. These will dissolve and cook down beautifully as the sweet potatoes bake, especially after you baste them at the 30-minute mark.
• The macros provided in the nutrition section assume monk fruit organic sweetener is used. If you opt for standard sugar, the approximate macros are: Calories: 397, Carbohydrates: 58g, Fat: 19g, Protein: 1g.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving


Calories: 209kcal


Carbohydrates: 9g


Protein: 1g


Fat: 19g

Nutrition Data

Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information for a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

Tried this recipe? Mention @Stay_Snatched or tag #StaySnatched!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Check out our videos!

Tried this recipe? Let us know how it was!