Description
This Best Ever Southern Candied Yams recipe offers a deliciously sweet and fragrant side dish perfect for holiday gatherings or comforting everyday meals. Tender sweet potatoes are simmered in a rich mixture of brown sugar, butter, warm spices, and vanilla, then baked to create a beautifully caramelized and flavorful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the yams.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes with brown sugar, unsalted butter, water, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract. This mix will infuse the yams with deep flavors.
- Boil Mixture: Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat, which helps the sugar dissolve and the flavors to meld together.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes. This softens the sweet potatoes and allows the syrup to thicken slightly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Carefully transfer the sweet potato and syrup mixture to a baking dish, spreading the yams evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Baste the yams with the syrup occasionally to keep them moist and richly flavored while developing a caramelized surface.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baked yams from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving to allow the syrup to set and flavors to settle.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm sweet potatoes for best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar if you prefer a less sweet dish.
- Basting is crucial to achieving a glossy, candied finish on the yams.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and reheated gently before serving.
- For extra richness, add a splash of orange juice or zest to the syrup before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Keywords: candied yams, sweet potatoes, southern recipe, holiday side dish, baked yams, sweet potato casserole
