Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about menu plans. Last year’s turkey made with Coke and Sprite seems to work pretty well, so it’s on to reliable side dishes. Often, Thanksgiving cooks need to strike the right balance between something new and something nostalgic. These Coca-Cola Candied Sweet Potatoes fit the bill.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into ¾” pieces
• 2 cups Coke (not Diet Coke or Coke Zero)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• dash of vanilla extract
• 3 whole cloves
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

Equipment

• large oven-safe pot with lid (cast iron dutch oven works well)

Directions to Make the Coca-Cola Candied Sweet Potatoes

Preheat the oven to 400º.

As the oven heats, combine the Coke, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves in a large oven-safe pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. 

Lower the heat to medium. Add the butter. Stir until the butter is melted. 

Add the sweet potatoes. Stir to combine.

Bring the potatoes and liquid back to a boil.

Once boiling, remove from heat and cover. Place the covered pot in the pre-heated oven. Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the lid and continue baking for another 8-10 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Test tenderness by poking the largest sweet potato piece with a knife. If the potato gives easily, they’re done.

Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.