Baked Sweet Potatoes in Brown Sugar Syrup is a classic holiday side dish made with tender sweet potatoes coated in a rich, buttery brown sugar and cinnamon syrup. It’s simple, sweet, and always a favorite at the table.
This is one of those recipes my mother made every holiday when I was growing up. While we enjoy sweet potatoes year-round with just a little butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar, this version is reserved for special occasions.
The first time my son-in-law tried this dish at Christmas, he realized he actually did like sweet potatoes—and now it’s one he looks forward to every year.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED SWEET POTATOES IN BROWN SUGAR SYRUP:
Ingredients
(Full list of ingredients and instructions in printable recipe card.)
- Sweet potatoes (orange)
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
Instructions
Start by peeling and washing your sweet potatoes. Cut into different shapes. Place in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and cook until slightly tender. Drain water.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the potatoes and fold into the syrup. You may also place the potatoes into the baking dish and pour the syrup over potatoes if you prefer. If you are making a large amount of sweet potatoes, the pan with potatoes and syrup may be heavy.
Place sweet potatoes into a baking dish that has been
sprayed with no stick cooking spray.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake another 30 minutes until potatoes are tender.
I like to use disposable aluminum pans when taking these to a covered dish dinner, so excuse the baking dish.
A pan of these sweet potatoes are always served with a ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, HOMESTYLE CHICKEN AND NOODLES,
OLD FASHIONED SCALLOPED POTATOES,
DEVILED EGGS and a pan of SAMS HOMEMADE HOT ROLLS.
Why You’ll Love Baked Sweet Potatoes
- They are so easy to make and only require 4 ingredients.
- This recipe is always a big hit when served at a holiday meal or taken to a covered dish event.
- Baked in the brown sugar and cinnamon give them such a delicious, caramelized flavor.
- These baked sweet potatoes can be prepared a day ahead of time, covered tightly with foil, and baked on the day you need to serve them.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Cut evenly – Helps the potatoes cook at the same rate
- Don’t overboil – Just slightly tender is perfect before baking
- Add pecans (optional) – About ½ cup adds great texture and flavor. Skip nuts for gatherings – A good idea for allergy concerns
How to Store Baked Sweet Potatoes
To Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Leftovers can be reheated in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave. I frequently add them to a plate of holiday leftovers and warm in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do the potatoes need to be boiled before baking?
No, they do not need to be, but it does cut down on your baking time. I have done it both ways and prefer to boil them prior, just until slightly tender. - Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?
No, they are different vegetables. Sweet potatoes are sweeter and softer, while true yams are starchier and less sweet. For this recipe, use orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
This recipe was shared on Sweet Little Bluebird Weekend Potluck.
BAKED SWEET POTATOES IN BROWN SUGAR SYRUP
Ingredients
- 6 medium-large sweet potatoes
- 1 stick butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel and wash potatoes. Cut into variety of shapes, but the same size. Place in large saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook until potatoes just become tender. Remove from stove and drain water.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook over a medium-low heat until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from stove.
- Fold potatoes into the syrup to coat, place in baking dish. May also place potatoes in baking dish and pour syrup over them.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Notes
- They are so easy to make and only require 4 ingredients.
- This recipe is always a big hit when served at a holiday meal or taken to a covered dish event.
- Baked in the brown sugar and cinnamon give them such a delicious, caramelized flavor.
- These baked sweet potatoes can be prepared a day ahead of time, covered tightly with foil, and baked on the day you need to serve them.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into equal sizes for more even baking.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
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