Camotes Enmielados (Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes)

Camotes Enmielados (Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes) are tender sweet potatoes simmered in a sweet piloncillo syrup with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. This traditional Mexican dessert is easy to make and delicious served warm with a little milk.

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A white bowl filled with cubed, candied sweet potatoes, or camotes enmielados, and a spoon, sitting on a patterned cloth.

Camotes Enmielados (Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes) 🍠 are tender sweet potatoes simmered in a warm piloncillo syrup with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. The result is an easy, comforting Mexican dessert that’s especially delicious served warm with a little milk.

In my family, we didn’t only eat camotes enmielados for dessert. My mom would sometimes have them for breakfast with milk or sweetened condensed milk.

Also try this popular side dish, Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

Easy to make: Everything simmers together in one pot.
Simple ingredients: Sweet potatoes, piloncillo, cinnamon, and warm spices are all you need.
A traditional Mexican dessert: Camotes enmielados are a classic way to prepare sweet potatoes in Mexico.
Perfect for fall and winter: Make this dish for Día de los Muertos, Thanksgiving, and the holiday season.
Breakfast or dessert: My mom served them for breakfast with milk, but they’re just as good for dessert.

-Maggie

Instructions

🍠 Sweet Potatoes

Slice or dice the Mexican sweet potatoes.
Peeling the skin optional.

Scrub and rinse the sweet potatoes with water before cooking. Peel them if you are making a soup or a stew, but in this recipe, it’s really up to you and your preference.

In Mexico, this dessert is enjoyed all year long, not just in the fall. It can very well be made as the perfect side dish for a special dinner during the holiday season.

Water pouring into a pot filled with diced sweet potatoes.

Place the sweet potatoes in the large pot or large dutch oven.
Add enough water to cover everything.

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.

Other Names

Like many Mexican dishes, camotes enmielados can go by different names. “Dulce de camote” and “camote en dulce” are also commonly used. The singular form is “camote enmielado.”

A collage showing sweet potatoes cooking and a hand holding a piloncillo cone.

Add an 8-ounce piloncillo cone, Mexican cinnamon stick, allspice (optional), star anise, and whole clove. These are the key ingredients!
Give everything a stir with a wooden spoon.
Cover and bring to boil over medium-low heat.

“Enmielado” translated means “sweetened” or “candied.” This is created by the piloncillo (or Mexican brown sugar) commonly used in drinks like Ponche Navideno and Cafe de Olla. Or use it to make desserts like Capirotada.

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 8-ounce piloncillo cone.

Can’t find piloncillo? No problemo!

Use 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons molasses to create the piloncillo syrup.
OR, simply omit and use 1 cup white sugar OR 1 cup honey OR 1 cup maple syrup.
You can also buy piloncillo online.

A pot cooking on the stove filled with sweet potatoes.

Simmer for 20 minutes. The piloncillo dissolves easily.
For a thicker sauce, simmer for an additional 5 minutes uncovered.

Discard cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice before serving. You can also use the powdered version of the warm spices for easier cooking.

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

🙋🏻‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use orange sweet potatoes?

Yes. Orange sweet potatoes work well for camotes enmielados. You can also use white- or yellow-fleshed varieties. The texture and sweetness may vary slightly depending on the variety.

Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling?

Leaving the skin on will give it a nice texture, but it’s really up to you and your personal preference. Luckily, for this recipe, it does not matter if you peel the skin or not. This recipe is very forgiving.

What else can I add to this dish?

Add chopped up nuts – peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, or whatever you like! Nuts will add texture. Raisins or coconut are also great additions.

What does camote enmielado mean?

Camote enmielado means sweet potato cooked in a sweet syrup. Camote means sweet potato, and enmielado refers to something covered or cooked in a honey-like sweet syrup.

🫙 Storing Instructions

Place any leftovers in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Or in a sealable bag, remove as much air as possible, in the freezer for up to 5 months. For reheating, place in a microwaveable container and heat on high for 2-2 ½ minutes.

A white bowl of Camotes Enmielados with a spoon.

🍰 More Mexican Desserts

Camotes Enmielados are an easy Mexican dessert made with tender sweet potatoes and a warm piloncillo syrup. Serve them warm with some of the syrup spooned over the top and a little milk if you like. ¡Buen provecho!