Tender sweet potatoes slowly cook in a rich buttery mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until they become beautifully glazed and caramelized. A touch of vanilla added at the end brings all the warm flavors together for a classic Southern-inspired side dish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 6 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
2. Start the Sweet Potatoes: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes and gently stir them until they are thoroughly coated with the melted butter.
3. Add the Spiced Sugar: Sprinkle the prepared sugar mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes. Stir carefully so the sugar mixture coats the potato slices.
4. Cook Slowly: Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Allow the sweet potatoes to cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally as they simmer in the buttery sugar mixture.
5. Check for Doneness: Continue cooking until the sauce has become dark and richly glazed and the sweet potatoes are thoroughly candied. The potatoes should be tender while retaining a slightly firm texture around their edges.
6. Add the Vanilla: Stir the vanilla extract into the finished sweet potatoes, making sure it is distributed throughout the glaze.
7. Serve: Serve the candied sweet potatoes warm as a rich, sweet side dish.