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Authentic Southern Candied Yams Recipe

Close-up of perfectly glazed, round slices of southern candied yams resting in a white bowl.
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Make classic Southern candied yams with a rich, sticky, buttery brown sugar glaze. This soul food side dish is perfect for your holiday table or any family gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Place the sliced yams in a large saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the yams are slightly tender but still firm. Drain the yams well.
  3. Arrange the partially cooked yams in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
  4. In a separate medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  5. Heat the sugar mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then remove it from the heat immediately.
  6. Stir the vanilla extract into the hot syrup.
  7. Carefully pour the buttery sweet potato glaze evenly over the yams in the baking dish.
  8. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Baste the yams with the glaze every 15 minutes during baking. The yams are done when they are fork-tender and the glaze has thickened into a rich, caramelized syrup.
  9. Serve the caramelized yams warm as a classic sweet potato side dish.

Notes

  • For a stovetop method, cook the yams in the glaze mixture over medium-low heat, stirring gently every 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the yams. This usually takes about 30-40 minutes.
  • If you prefer a slow cooker candied yams version, combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
  • Use fresh yams or sweet potatoes for the best texture; avoid canned yams if you want the authentic, tender sweet potatoes side experience.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/southern-candied-yams-recipe/