Preheat oven to 450 degrees F with the rack placed in the center of the oven.
Line a large baking sheet with foil.
Wash and dry sweet potatoes, leaving the skin on.
Using a fork, poke holes all around the potato (a couple pokes per side should do the trick).
Place potatoes on the lined sheet and place in oven. Bake for 65-80 minutes (depending on the size of your sweet potatoes), or until sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized (the base of the potatoes often start to get sticky and brown with caramelization near the end of baking—delicious!)
Allow the potatoes to sit for about 15 minutes before serving. During this time, the potato will deflate and detach from the skin, making them very easy to peel. You can also turn off the oven after baking and leave them there overnight.
To eat the potatoes, cut them in half with the skin on or off, and enjoy with a pinch of salt, mash them together with 1/2 cup of whipping cream and a pinch of salt for easy mashed sweet potatoes, or eat them in their simple, caramelized glory!