Candied Sweet Potatoes

Name: Candied Sweet Potatoes
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 10 to 12 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 3 pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed; 1/2 cup/1 stick butter; 1 cup confectioners’ sugar; Pinch of salt

Recipe from George H. Foster and Peter C. Weiglin

Adapted by Melissa Clark

Updated Sept. 17, 2020

Candied Sweet Potatoes — Melina Hammer for The New York Times

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Rating: 5(1,436)
Comments: Read comments

When Fred Harvey opened his first Harvey House restaurant in 1876 on the railway line in Topeka, Kan., his idea was radical for the time: Railroad passengers would be fed good food in a pleasant environment. His concept was so successful that it spawned 84 restaurants, a Hollywood movie and an official cookbook. And it was in “The Harvey House Cookbook” that we found this excellent recipe for sweet potatoes candied with confectioners’ sugar and butter. It is best served warm rather than piping hot, which makes it convenient for big meals like Thanksgiving. Bake it before you roast your turkey, then reheat it briefly just before serving. —Melissa Clark

Featured in: The United States of Thanksgiving

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Ingredients

Yield:10 to 12 servings

3pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed
½cup/1 stick butter
1cup confectioners’ sugar
Pinch of salt

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
In a large pot, boil sweet potatoes in their jackets in water to cover until fork-tender, 20 to 45 minutes depending upon their size. Drain and cool.
Step 2
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Peel potatoes and slice into ½-inch-thick rounds. Place in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or 2-quart gratin dish, overlapping slices to fit in one layer.
Step 3
In a small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in sugar and salt until smooth. Pour evenly over the potatoes. Bake until potatoes look shiny and glazed, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot or warm.

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Ratings

5 out of 5

1,436 user ratings

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Comments

Patrick8 years ago

Every list of sweet potato recipes that include these old fashioned dishes that use sugar or god forbid, marshmallows I know I will soon be reading a series of comments filled with all kinds of foodie judgement. Maybe people like them. Maybe they eat them roasted with olive oil and thyme the rest of the year but they like them candied on Thanksgiving because it brings back memories of childhood. People acting like their likes and styles are superior to other people's. Now that is to laugh.

Zoe8 years ago

I used half brown sugar, half confectioner's sugar, then added a splash of vanilla. Really nice flavor and so easy!

Steve8 years ago

Because they enjoy eating it?

Dr. H Foodie1 day ago

I was looking for a quick, old-fashioned recipe for candied sweet potatoes, and came across this one. It was very easy and absolutely delicious. A great dish for the novice to the seasoned cook in the kitchen!

Carol3 days ago

I was using Japanese sweet potatoes-very white so I thought they needed a little more intervention. I used 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, some cinnamon and a few tablespoons of rum. I never had so many compliments!

Anonymous6 days ago

I don’t think many Brits celebrate with ham- The sweetness tends to compliment the salty. Don’t tell be sausage rolls and Yorkshire puddings are healthy!! 😂

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