Ingredients Preparation
- Start with clean sweet potatoes. Wash them in a sink filled with warm soapy water and a bit of apple cider vinegar, letting them soak for 20 minutes. Then, scrub them with a vegetable brush.
- Peel the sweet potatoes, removing the outer skin to reveal the orange flesh.
- Slice the sweet potatoes on a cutting board, aiming for pieces about 1/4 inch thick. Avoid slicing too thick (which prolongs cooking time) or too thin (which can be messy to serve).
Assembling the Dish
- Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes in a 9×13 inch baking pan. You can stack them or arrange them in an accordion style for easier monitoring during cooking.
Making the Candied Mixture
- Melt 8 tablespoons of vegan butter in a small pot over medium heat.
- Add all spices, sugars (both organic cane and brown), and vanilla extract to the melted butter. Stir and cook for about 6-7 minutes.
- If you prefer a healthier or low-sugar version, consider substituting the sugars with alternatives like Stevia or Coconut Sugar.
- Once the mixture is ready, pour it evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Use a spoon to ensure even coverage, especially for any mixture that settles at the bottom.
Baking Process
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, remove the dish, baste the sweet potatoes with the mixture, cover again, and continue baking for another 30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
Adding Vegan Marshmallows (Optional)
- If desired, add vegan marshmallows over the sweet potatoes and bake for a few more minutes without the foil until lightly browned.
- You can also use the broil setting for quicker browning, but watch closely to avoid burning.
These steps will help you create delicious Vegan Candied Yams, perfect for a sweet and savory treat!