Best Easy Camotes de Santa Clara Recipe

Iconic sweet potato candies from Puebla's Santa Clara convent are a colonial-era treasure. This family-friendly treat is a colorful, traditional confection with centuries of monastic heritage.

Cook 60 min Difficulty NORMAL 110 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean #diabetic friendly
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • sweet potatoes 1.5 lbs
  • evaporated milk 0.25 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • granulated sugar 1 cup
  • vanilla extract 1 tsp
  • food coloring (red, green, yellow) 0.25 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 24 g 87%
Protein 1 g 4%
Fat 2 g 9%
Serving size 40g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Wash, peel, and cut sweet potatoes into chunks. Place them in a saucepan with enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until fully tender, about 30 minutes.

  2. 2

    Drain sweet potatoes and mash until very smooth while still warm. Ensure there are no lumps for the best texture.

  3. 3

    Add granulated sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir over medium heat, mixing constantly, until mixture thickens and begins to pull away from the pan (about 15 minutes).

  4. 4

    Once thick, remove from heat. Divide mixture into portions and add food coloring as desired, kneading it in with a spatula for even color.

  5. 5

    Shape the colored sweet potato mixture into small logs or ovals. Let cool completely and serve at room temperature for the classic Santa Clara experience.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The star ingredient of Camotes de Santa Clara is sweet potatoes. Their naturally creamy texture and subtly sweet flavor create the base for these iconic candies. Sugar amplifies their sweetness and, along with evaporated milk and vanilla, shapes the classic taste that makes this treat so special.
Q. How do I avoid overcooking the sweet potatoes?
Cook the sweet potatoes just until they're tender enough to mash—typically about 30 minutes on gentle simmer. Overcooking can make them waterlogged, which dilutes the flavor and interferes with the final candy texture. Monitor them closely and drain promptly once they're fork-tender.
Q. What's the secret to a smooth, non-grainy Camote texture?
For a silky candy, mash the sweet potatoes thoroughly while they're still warm after draining. When stirring in the sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla on medium heat, keep the mixture moving constantly until it thickens and releases from the pan. This prevents graininess and ensures a consistent texture throughout.
Q. How many calories are in each serving of Camotes de Santa Clara?
Each serving (40g) of Camotes de Santa Clara contains approximately 110 kcal. The majority of the calories come from carbohydrates, which make up 87%, while protein is 4% and fat accounts for 9%, making this a sweet treat that's mostly carb-centric.
Q. Which dietary tags apply to this recipe?
Camotes de Santa Clara is vegetarian and qualifies as mediterranean and diabetic friendly due to its plant-based, homemade nature, moderate carb content (24g per serving), and absence of processed ingredients. It's a family-friendly, heritage treat suitable for most diets.
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