Roasting sweet potatoes is even easier than boiling and mashing them. Maple syrup glaze transforms this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.

Makes 12 servings, about 1/2 cup each

ACTIVE TIME: 10 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (about 8 cups)
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Arrange sweet potatoes in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Combine maple syrup, butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour the mixture over the sweet potatoes; toss to coat.
3. Cover and bake the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir and cook, stirring every 15 minutes, until tender and starting to brown, 45 to 50 minutes more.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 96 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 0 g mono); 5 mg cholesterol; 19 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 118 mg sodium; 189 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (230% daily value), Vitamin C (15% dv).
1 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Just before serving, reheat at 350°F until hot, about 15 minutes.

Fabulous and so easy. So many sweet potato recipes are cloying. This one tastes so fresh!

Laura, Worcester, MA

This is better then candy sweet potatos.

Donna, Canton, PA

Super easy and delicious. So tender and sweet, even kids should love them.

T. Morgan, Nashville, TN

This made an excellent healthy side dish for Thanksgiving. So delicious -- I couldn't believe it was so good for you!

Tomi Ann, Saratoga Springs, UT

We love this dish! Easy to prepare and the flavors are simple and good! A Keeper!

Terese, High Point, NC

Everyone went back for seconds.... My only mistake... was I didn't make enough! :)

Sharon, Little Rock, AR

My new favorite way to eat sweet potatoes. YUMMY!

Tina, San Francisco, CA

It was good, but no one should have any illusions that this is particularly healthy. It's basically sweet potatoes with fat and sugar. You do get some vitamins and stuff from the sweet potatoes, but I wouldn't call this a healthy dish by any stretch of the imagination.

Ralph, Los Angeles, CA

I am sorry but this rec. has more cal. than posted.

Paul, Methuen, MA

This recipe was awesome. Thank you very much I plan on using it A LOT.

Chris Albrecht, Cooperville, MI

My family loves this dish! Very easy to prepare and for a twist, I add a dash of cayenne pepper.

Deb, SLC, UT

Truly delicious! I will definately make again. It may benefit from being covered a bit longer, and with adding olive oil or more butter...just a smidgen!

Danielle Smith, Traverse City, MI

Easy to make. Tasty. I have served this several times with rave reviews.

djs, Miami, FL

Love these!! I substituted a little cardamon and nutmeg for the freshly ground pepper.

Dawn, Fletcher, VT

Because my husband has many food allergies, I have found that roasting the sweet potatoes at 425 for about an hour brings out the natural sugar. I simply peel, mash and add sea salt. No sugar or cream needed. A tiny bit of real maple syrup would add more natural sweetness.

Linda, Northbrook, IL

(Have not made this recipe yet, but couldn't post without a rating.) Has anyone made this the day before and then reheated? If so, did they taste fresh made? Also, the recipe states to cut potatoes into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Is this referring to thickness or overall size of the pieces? Thanks

1Nrs, MI

I have always pre-boiled sweet potatoes and then smothered brown sugar and butter on them. This recipe is wonderful and everyone loved them. Baking the sweet potatoes gives them a much better flavor and the maple syrup was sweet enough without all that brown sugar. Healthy and delicious!

Marilyn, Mississauga, ON

These tasted fantastic - a great middle ground between sweet and savory. I would only mention that they cooked a little faster than the recipe indicated.

Alisha, San Francisco, CA

This was my first time making sweet potatoes, and I really enjoyed them! Thanks for the recipe. http://thenotsoskinnykitchen.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/maple-roasted-sweet-potatoes/

Liz, Atlanta, GA

just loved this recipe. the maple carmelizes with the sweet potatoes and it is the perfect dish - we can make a meal just out of this!!!

karen gorski, bryan, tx

This is one of the best sweet potato dishes I have ever made. I like sweet potatoes too. It says it serves 12, but, our family of 4 polished them off in one sitting. So yummy.

Kathy, Odessa, De