Grandma Alta's Sweet Potatoes

3-4 medium large sweet potatoes, peeled
1 stick butter
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cinnamon red hots

Peel potatoes. Slice longways (end to end) in 1/2 in or a little thicker slices.
Place potatoes in a large skillet. Add enough water to just cover. Bring to a boil and cook till just tender but still firm, not mushy. Drain all but about 1/2 cup water.
Cut up butter around potatoes. Add sugar and red red hots around potatoes.
Stir gently until sugar and red hots are dissolved. Add a little more water if necessary.
Cook on medium high heat until sugar mixture is thick and syrupy.
One time Alta put dollups of Kraft marshmallow creme on top when she served them. We never eat them that way.