Brown-Sugar Sweet Potatoes

This homey, old-fashioned sweet potato dish is a testament to how simple flavorful can be—and how flavorful simple can be.

When I was growing up, brown-sugar sweet potatoes were a common site on holiday dinner tables, but they’re so easy and quick, why wait for a special occasion? These tender, buttery, caramelized treats are a welcome site on the table any day of the year.

(If you can’t find small sweet potatoes, choose a couple larger ones and cut them in half crosswise before cutting them in half lengthwise.)

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

• 3 small sweet potatoes (about 1 1/4 lbs total)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Small Sweet Potatoes

Preparation

1. Peel and halve potatoes lengthwise.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter and oil, swirling to coat and combine.
3. Add the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the sugar and cinnamon and cook, covered, turning several times, until the potatoes are very soft and browned in places and the liquid is syrupy, 25-30 minutes.

Sweet Potatoes Ready to Cook 

Potatoes Beginning to Cook 

Sugar and Cinnamon Added

Serve with any pan syrup spooned on top.

Brown-Sugar Sweet Potatoes