Camotes Enmielados (Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes)

Camotes Enmielados … You’re going to LOVE this Mexican dessert!

Most people know this recipe as a dessert, but my mom liked to give it to us for breakfast.

She’d serve it in a big bowl with milk. Each spoonful was a big treat. Sweet and absolutely delicious.

More Mexican Dessert Recipes:

Mexican Fried Bananas
Conchas
Pineapple Empanadas
Abuelita Chocolate Frosting

How to Make It

• Slice or dice the sweet potato.
• Peeling the skin optional.

To Peel or Not To Peel?
Peeling the skin off of a sweet potato can be challenging.

Luckily, for this recipe, it does not matter if you peel the skin or not. This recipe is very forgiving.

Leaving the skin on will give it a nice texture, but it’s really up to you and your personal preference.

Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling?
Scrub and rinse the sweet potatoes with water before cooking. Cooking them with their skin will give you more nutrients. It’s best to peel them if you are making a soup or a stew.

• Place the sweet potatoes in the large pot.
• Add water.

Be sure to use a pot that is big enough to fit everything. This also depends on the size of the sweet potatoes.

Here, 2 large sweet potatoes and an 8-qt stock pot were used.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?
They are not the same thing. Yams look like tree bark. Sweet potatoes are more reddish-brown with a tough skin.

• Add the piloncillo, cinnamon stick, allspice, and cloves.
• Cover and bring to simmer.

“Enmielado” translated means “sweetened” or “candied.” This is created by the piloncillo (or Mexican brown sugar).

Piloncillo is shaped like a cone. You might also see it in smaller sizes, but always in a cone form.

Use 4 small cones = 1 large cone.

Can’t find piloncillo? No problemo!

Use 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons molasses.

Other Substitutions:

1 cup sugar OR 1 cup honey OR 1 cup maple syrup.

FYI: Once everything is cooked, the cinnamon stick, allspice, and cloves will be removed. You can also use the powdered version of these spices for easier cooking.

More Piloncillo Recipes:

Piloncillo Chipotle Ham
Ponche Navideno
Capirotada
Cafe de la Olla

• Simmer for 20 minutes.
• For a thicker sauce, simmer for an additional 5 minutes uncovered.

It’s ready when you can put a knife or a fork completely through the sweet potato.

Great Idea! Add chopped up nuts – peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, or whatever you like! Nuts will add texture.

For Mexicans, this is a dessert that’s eaten all year long not just in the fall. It can very well be made as a side dish for the Holidays or a special dinner.

How Long Does It Last?

Camotes Enmielados lasts up to 5 days in the fridge and up to 6 months in an airtight, sealable plastic bag.

Before Serving:

Remove the cinnamon stick, cloves, and allspice.

Talk about AMAZING! Camotes Enmielados (or Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes) is a super easy and delicious dessert. Drizzle with the syrup sauce and enjoy.

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