Ingredients

• 4  medium sweet potatoes or yams (about 2 pounds) or two 18-ounce cans sweet potatoes, drained
• 1/4  cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4  cup butter, melted
• 1/2  cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted if desired, or 3/4 cup tiny marshmallows

Directions

1. Peel fresh sweet potatoes; cut into 1-1/2-inch chunks. Cook fresh sweet potatoes, covered, in enough boiling water to cover, for 10 to 12 minutes or just until tender; drain. (Or, cut up canned sweet potatoes.)

2. Transfer potatoes to a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Add maple syrup and melted butter; stir gently to combine.

3. Bake, uncovered, in a 375 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until potatoes are glazed, stirring gently twice. Sprinkle with nuts; let stand 5 minutes before serving.

4. Makes 6 servings

5. Make-ahead directions: Prepare steps 1 and 2 as above. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Bake, uncovered, in a 375 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until potatoes are glazed, stirring gently twice. Continue as above.

6. Candied Sweet Potatoes with Apples: Prepare as above for step 1, except reduce sweet potatoes to 1-1/2 pounds (3 medium). In a 2-quart rectangular baking dish combine sweet potatoes and 1 1/2 cups sliced apple. Add the maple syrup, the melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; stir gently to combine. Bake, uncovered, in a 375 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until potatoes and apples are glazed, stirring gently twice. Sprinkle with nuts; let stand 5 minutes before serving.