Maple Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes with Warm Spices
These tender sweet potato slices are bathed in a glossy maple-butter glaze infused with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Fresh rosemary adds an herbal note that perfectly complements the natural sweetness. The result is a comforting side dish that's elegant enough for holiday tables yet simple enough for weeknight dinners. The sauce thickens beautifully as it bakes, creating a gorgeous caramelized coating.
Ingredients
- 6 sweet potatoes (4 lbs)butternut squash1:1noneadds dairy
Cut into similar-sized pieces, may need slightly longer cooking time
Full guide → - ½ cup butter (1 stick or 113g)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- fresh rosemary
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and butter a baking dish
- 2
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into slices, then arrange in baking dish
- 3
Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally
- 4
Add maple syrup, rosemary, spices, and salt to melted butter
- 5
Bring mixture to a boil and simmer, then remove from heat
- 6
Pour mixture over sweet potatoes and stir to coat
- 7
Cover with aluminum foil and bake
- 8
Remove foil and continue baking uncovered
- 9
Remove rosemary stems and let sit to allow sauce to thicken
- 10
Serve topped with chopped rosemary and sea salt
Tips
Cut sweet potatoes uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
Let the dish rest after baking to allow the maple glaze to thicken and coat the potatoes perfectly.
Remove rosemary stems before serving but save some fresh sprigs for garnish and extra aroma.
Good to Know
Covered in refrigerator for up to one week
Can be assembled and refrigerated before baking, add 10-15 minutes to cooking time if baking from cold
Best served warm as a side dish, garnished with fresh rosemary and sea salt
Common Mistakes
Don't skip the resting time to avoid thin, runny sauce that won't coat properly
Remove rosemary stems before serving to avoid bitter woody flavors
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
Cut into similar-sized pieces, may need slightly longer cooking time
Full guide →FAQ
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish and refrigerate before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
How long do leftovers keep?
Covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. The sauce will thin when reheated but thickens again as it cools.
Can I use regular potatoes instead?
Sweet potatoes work best for this recipe due to their natural sweetness and texture, but butternut squash makes a good substitute.