Camotes Poblanos (Sweet Potatoes Simmered in Spiced Syrup)
Why this recipe works
- Warm, layered syrup: Cinnamon, clove and orange zest infuse the brown sugar syrup as it simmers, giving the sweet potatoes depth without a long ingredient list.
- Simple ingredients: A short pantry-based ingredient list keeps the recipe straightforward while still producing a fragrant, full-flavoured dessert.
- Improves as it rests: Cooling the sweet potatoes in the syrup allows them to absorb more of the spiced sweetness before gentle reheating.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Pueblan-style sweet potatoes: The dish reflects the Mexican tradition of cooking sweet potatoes in a spiced piloncillo-style syrup; dark brown sugar gives a similar deep, molasses-like note.
- Served simply: Camotes poblanos are typically presented with plenty of syrup rather than a heavy sauce or garnish, letting the sweet potato and spices carry the dish.
Ingredient notes
- Choose firm sweet potatoes: Firm, unblemished sweet potatoes are less likely to break apart during simmering and hold their shape better in the syrup.
- Use dark brown sugar if possible: Dark brown sugar gives the syrup a deeper caramel flavour and a richer colour than lighter sugar.
- Orange zest options: Dried orange zest adds a concentrated citrus aroma; wide strips of fresh orange peel can be used for a brighter note and removed before serving.
Texture tips
- Cut larger pieces: Thick rounds or large chunks help the sweet potatoes stay intact as they soften in the syrup.
- Keep the simmer gentle: A hard boil can make the edges break down before the centres are tender, so lower the heat if the syrup starts bubbling too vigorously.
Make-ahead tips
- Good made ahead: The flavour deepens after resting in the syrup, making this a useful dessert to prepare in advance.
- Reheat gently: Warm the sweet potatoes slowly in a saucepan over low heat, adding a little water if the syrup has thickened too much in the fridge.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potatoes, then cut into thick rounds or large chunks so they hold their shape as they cook.
- Put the water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and dried orange zest into a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the sweet potatoes and return to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, turning the pieces once or twice, until tender all the way through and the syrup lightly thickens.
- Remove from the heat and let stand for 2 minutes so the syrup settles. Serve warm with plenty of the spiced syrup spooned over, avoiding the cloves as you portion.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the simmer gentle so the sweet potatoes stay intact; if it starts to boil hard, lower the heat and stir carefully.
- For a deeper flavour, let the sweet potatoes cool in the syrup, then rewarm gently before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Brown sugar with Coconut sugar for a slightly more caramel-like syrup.
- Replace Dried orange zest with Orange for a fresher citrus note; peel wide strips and remove them before serving.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in the syrup in a covered container. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the syrup has thickened too much.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 50min (12min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Mexican
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Modern Light Flan
Light vanilla flan baked over caramel and chilled until set
Arroz Con Leche (Latin American Rice Pudding)
Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon, citrus and vanilla
Vegan Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Vegan chocolate mousse blended with avocado, cocoa and maple syrup
Holiday Flan (Festive Caramel Custard)
Silky baked flan with caramel, vanilla, and sweet milks.
Latin Passion Fruit Dessert Cups
Passion fruit curd cups topped with whipped double cream
Rabri (Thickened Milk Dessert with Saffron)
Slow-reduced milk dessert with cardamom, saffron, pistachios and almonds
Rava Kesari (South Indian Semolina and Saffron Pudding)
South Indian semolina pudding with saffron, cardamom, cashews and raisins
Budino di Riso (Tuscan Rice Pudding Tart)
Tuscan rice pudding tart baked in shortcrust pastry
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Air fryer peanut butter cookies with tender centres and set edges.
Basundi (Thickened Sweetened Milk with Cardamom and Saffron)
Thickened sweetened milk dessert with cardamom, saffron and pistachios
Rijstepap met Kaneel (Dutch Rice Pudding with Cinnamon)
Creamy Dutch rice pudding served warm with cinnamon
Gorditas de Azúcar (Sweet Fried Masa Cakes)
Sweet fried masa cakes coated in cinnamon sugar
Spiced Winter Beer (Belgian Style)
Warm spiced beer with orange, clove and cinnamon
Glögg (Nordic Mulled Wine)
Nordic mulled wine with spices, raisins and blanched almonds
Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding with Piloncillo Syrup)
Mexican bread pudding with piloncillo syrup
Jägertee (Spiced Rum and Black Tea)
Hot black tea with dark rum and warming spices
Glühwein (German Mulled Wine with Orange and Spices)
German mulled wine with orange and warming spices
Kinderpunsch (Non-Alcoholic Mulled Apple Punch with Orange and Spices)
Mulled apple punch with orange and warming spices
You might also like
Parmigiana di Melanzane (Aubergine Parmigiana)
Baked aubergine layered with tomato sauce, basil and cheese
Feijoada de Marisco (Portuguese Seafood and White Bean Stew)
Seafood and white bean stew in a tomato and wine broth
Cacciatore di Pollo (Hunter-Style Chicken Stew)
Chicken stew with tomatoes, red wine, mushrooms and olives
Mozzarella in Carrozza (Modern Light Version)
Pan-fried mozzarella sandwich dipped in egg until golden
Bulgogi (Marinated Beef)
Thinly sliced marinated beef quickly fried with onions
Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew with Pork and Beef)
Brazilian black bean stew with pork, beef and bay leaves
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
WMF Mini Saucepan 16 cm with Lid
- High-quality stainless steel
- Even heat distribution
- Higher price point
T-fal Specialty Nonstick Handy Pot with Glass Lid 3 Quart
- Easy food release
- Dishwasher safe
- Not induction compatible
All-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
- Excellent heat control
- Premium build quality
- Expensive
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
