Candied Yams Recipe

American · Side dish · 70 min total

Classic Southern-style candied yams are tender sweet potatoes baked in a buttery, caramel-like syrup with warm spices. This easy recipe is a holiday favorite.

Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Arrange sweet potato slices in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook, stirring, until butter melts and sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
4. Pour the syrup mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes.
5. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Remove foil, stir gently, and bake uncovered for 20-25 more minutes, basting occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender and syrup is thickened.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon syrup over yams.

Tips

• For extra richness, add 1 tablespoon of bourbon or orange juice to the syrup.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days; reheat in the oven or microwave.
• To make ahead, prepare through step 4, cover, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding 10 minutes covered.

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