Camotes Enmielados

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure your oven is at the correct temperature when you are ready to bake the sweet potatoes.
2. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch thick slices. Try to make the slices as even as possible for consistent cooking.
3. In a medium saucepan, combine honey, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted.
4. Reduce the heat to low and add vanilla extract, salt, and ground nutmeg. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until fragrant. This infuses the sauce with the rich spice flavors.
5. Remove sauce from heat and strain out the cinnamon stick and cloves using a fine mesh strainer or slotted spoon.
6. Place the sweet potato slices in a single layer in a baking dish. Pour the warm honey sauce over the sweet potatoes, ensuring that each slice is coated.
7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This traps the steam and helps cook the sweet potatoes evenly.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. This initial cooking stage softens the sweet potatoes.
9. Remove the foil, stir the sweet potatoes gently, then continue baking uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until tender and caramelized. Be careful not to burn them.
10. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm for the best texture.