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The Best Candied Yams Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 93 reviews
  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Description

This recipe for The Best Candied Yams is a classic Southern side dish featuring tender sweet potatoes par-cooked and then baked in a rich, buttery sauce made from dark brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices. The result is a deliciously sweet, soft, and warmly spiced side perfect for holiday meals or any comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Sweet Potatoes

  • 3 large sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds total)

Syrup and Spice Mixture

  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Butter

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Sweet Potatoes: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350ºF. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
  2. Par-cook Sweet Potatoes: Place the cut sweet potatoes in a large saucepan or pot and cover with water by about 1 inch. Bring the water to a low boil over medium-high heat and simmer until the potatoes are just starting to soften and can be pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes. Avoid overcooking to maintain texture.
  3. Transfer Sweet Potatoes to Baking Dish: Using a slotted spoon, carefully move the sweet potatoes to an 8×8-inch baking dish, spreading them into an even layer. Reserve the cooking water for the next step.
  4. Make the Sweet Sauce: Measure 3/4 cup of the warm reserved cooking water into a medium bowl. Stir in the dark brown sugar until it dissolves completely. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
  5. Add Spices: Sprinkle the ground cinnamon and nutmeg evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish for warm, aromatic flavor.
  6. Combine Sauce and Potatoes: Pour the sugar and water mixture over the spiced sweet potatoes, ensuring they are coated evenly.
  7. Add Butter: Cut the salted butter into cubes and scatter them evenly over the sweet potatoes for richness.
  8. Initial Baking: Bake the dish for 5 minutes to begin melting the butter and melding the flavors.
  9. Toss Potatoes: Remove the baking dish carefully from the oven and gently toss the sweet potatoes to combine the sauce thoroughly and coat all pieces evenly.
  10. Finish Baking: Return to the oven and bake until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce is thickened, about 10 more minutes.
  11. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and spoon any thickened candied sauce over the top. Allow the yams to cool for about 5 minutes so the sauce thickens further before serving warm.

Notes

  • This classic Southern recipe involves par-cooking the sweet potatoes to ensure they finish baking tender without becoming mushy.
  • The candied sauce is a simple combination of butter, dark brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices that creates a rich, sweet glaze over the yams.
  • Be careful not to overcook the potatoes in the boiling step to maintain their texture during baking.
  • The sauce thickens as the yams cool, so allowing them to rest before serving enhances the flavor and consistency.
  • This dish is perfect as a holiday side or comfort food accompaniment to roasted meats or vegetarian meals.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
  • Calories: 277
  • Sugar: 21.2g
  • Sodium: 172mg
  • Fat: 15.4g
  • Saturated Fat: 9.8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34.6g
  • Fiber: 2.6g
  • Protein: 1.5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Find it online: https://emilyquickdinners.com/the-best-candied-yams-recipe/