Traditional Glazed Sweet Potatoes

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Traditional Glazed Sweet Potatoes are a comforting side dish that's perfect for any holiday table or cozy family dinner. With just the right amount of sweetness and spice, these glazed delights will turn any meal into a special occasion.

Ingredients for Traditional Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes are the star of this dish, providing a natural sweetness and creamy texture once baked. Brown Sugar enhances the natural sugars in the sweet potatoes, creating a caramel-like glaze. Unsalted Butter adds richness and helps the glaze adhere perfectly to the sweet potato slices. Water is used to dissolve the sugar and balance the glaze. Cinnamon and Nutmeg provide warm, spicy notes that complement the sweetness beautifully. Salt is essential to balance out the flavors, while Vanilla Extract adds a subtle aromatic finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • Cut your sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking.
  • Use a glass or ceramic baking dish for even heat distribution.
  • Check for doneness by piercing a slice with a fork; it should go through easily.

Serving Suggestions

These glazed sweet potatoes pair beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken. For a vegetarian spread, serve alongside a hearty green salad or roasted vegetables. They also add a sweet contrast to savory dishes like stuffing or green bean casserole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can slice the sweet potatoes and prepare the glaze a day in advance. Store them separately and assemble just before baking.
Can I use a sugar substitute?
Absolutely, a similar volume of maple syrup or honey can be used, though it may alter the texture slightly.
How can I make this vegan?
Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter.

Traditional Glazed Sweet Potatoes Recipe Walkthrough

Let's get started by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures your oven is ready to go as soon as you finish prepping the sweet potatoes. Next, you'll want to peel and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch rounds. The uniform slices help them cook evenly. Once your sweet potatoes are ready, grab a saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and water, allowing them to dissolve into a smooth glaze.

Now, sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, stirring until everything is well combined. The kitchen should be smelling fantastic by now! Arrange your sweet potato slices in a single layer in a baking dish. Pour the glaze evenly over the top, making sure all slices are coated. Cover the dish with foil to keep the moisture in and pop it in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. This will allow the glaze to thicken and the edges of the potatoes to caramelize.

Finally, once the sweet potatoes are out of the oven, drizzle them with vanilla extract before serving. This last touch adds a wonderful aroma and enhances the overall flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
  • The perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
  • A crowd-pleaser at any gathering or holiday meal.
  • Minimal prep time with maximum flavor impact.

Ingredients

2 lbs sweet potatoes
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Peel and slice sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch rounds.
3. In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in brown sugar and water until dissolved.
4. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the mixture.
5. Arrange sweet potato slices in a baking dish and pour the glaze over them evenly.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until tender.
8. Drizzle with vanilla extract before serving.

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