If you’re craving a side dish that’s pure comfort and sweetness wrapped up in one, then I’m about to share a Southern staple you’ll adore. This Southern Candied Yams Recipe has been a cherished favorite in my family for years — and it’s not just sweet potatoes glazed with sugar, it’s a luscious harmony of butter, warm spices, and vanilla that brings those yams to life. Stick with me because this recipe will quickly become your go-to dish for holidays, potlucks, or any day you want a delicious, soul-satisfying treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, Authentic Flavors: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the yams.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need fancy or hard-to-find items—just pantry staples and sweet potatoes.
- Perfectly Tender Yams: Baking covered and then uncovered gives you that soft-yet-glazed texture that’s impossible to resist.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, a family dinner, or just a cozy night in, this recipe shines every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is half the magic in this Southern Candied Yams Recipe. Each one contributes to that luscious, comforting flavor and silky texture you’ll love. Here’s why I pick exactly these ingredients—and a tip or two on what to look for when you shop.
- Sweet Potatoes: Look for firm, smooth-skinned sweet potatoes without bruises for the best texture and sweetness.
- Salted Butter: Using salted butter adds a subtle savory touch balancing the sugar’s sweetness, but you can adjust with a pinch of salt if you prefer unsalted.
- Cinnamon: Fresh ground cinnamon packs the most punch, but bottled works fine—just make sure it smells warm and fragrant.
- Nutmeg: A tiny pinch goes a long way, so freshly grated nutmeg will bring out that authentic cozy spice vibe.
- Brown Sugar: This is the backbone of the ‘candied’ effect—choose dark or light brown sugar depending on your preference for molasses depth.
- Granulated Sugar: This adds an extra layer of sweetness and helps with caramelization.
- Vanilla Extract: Don’t skip this! A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract elevates the entire dish with beautiful aroma and flavor depth.
Variations
I love playing around with this Southern Candied Yams Recipe depending on the season and mood. It’s super versatile, so feel free to experiment a bit to create your personal twist.
- Add Pecan Topping: I often sprinkle toasted pecans on top in the last 10 minutes of baking for a lovely crunch and nutty contrast—trust me, it’s a crowd pleaser!
- Make it Vegan: Swap out the butter for coconut oil or vegan butter, and you’ve got a delicious plant-based side.
- Spice it Up: If you’re a little adventurous, a dash of cayenne or ground ginger adds warmth and a pleasant kick.
- Maple Syrup Swap: Sometimes I replace part of the sugars with pure maple syrup, which gives a deeper, woodsy sweetness that’s fantastic.
How to Make Southern Candied Yams Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Sweet Potatoes Just Right
Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Peel your sweet potatoes, rinse them under cold water, and slice them into rounds roughly between ½ inch to 1 inch thick. I like to cut the pieces in half if they’re too large so they fit nicely in my baking dish without crowding. This ensures even cooking and that lovely tender texture we aim for.
Step 2: Mix and Melt a Heavenly Glaze
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 5 tablespoons of salted butter till it’s shimmering. Then reduce the heat to medium-low, and add your brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Here’s a little secret I discovered: add your spices gradually, taste as you go, and adjust to find the exact spiced sweetness you love. Stir the mixture for about 3 minutes until everything is smoothly combined and glossy—this glaze is where all the magic happens!
Step 3: Layer, Cover, and Bake
Butter your baking dish to keep those yams from sticking. Arrange your yam slices evenly inside and pour the luscious glaze over the top, making sure every piece gets some love from that buttery, sugary goodness. Cover the dish tightly with foil—this traps moisture, so those yams get perfectly tender inside. Pop it into the oven for 45 minutes and try not to peek too much (but honestly, it’s a tough one!).
Step 4: Uncover and Crisp
After the 45 minutes are up, remove the foil and give the yams a gentle stir to coat them again with the glaze. Turn your oven up to 425°F and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes. This step caramelizes the sugars beautifully, giving you that irresistible sticky, golden glaze that makes this Southern Candied Yams Recipe stand out. Once done, let it cool slightly before serving—this helps the glaze to set just right.
Pro Tips for Making Southern Candied Yams Recipe
- Choose Evenly Sized Pieces: Cutting yams into uniform slices helps them cook evenly, so none end up mushy or underdone.
- Taste the Glaze Early: I always taste the butter and sugar mixture before pouring to adjust spices—this guarantees your perfect flavor balance.
- Use Foil to Trap Steam: Covering with foil for most of the baking time keeps the yams moist and tender.
- Don’t Skip the Final Uncovered Bake: That last 15 minutes is crucial for caramelization and gives you a sticky, crisp finish that makes this dish memorable.
How to Serve Southern Candied Yams Recipe
Garnishes
When it comes to garnishing, I love adding a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top for crunch and a touch of earthiness. A tiny dusting of extra cinnamon or even a few fresh herbs like finely chopped rosemary can add a fresher note that balances the sweetness—give it a try; it’s a little game-changer!
Side Dishes
This Southern Candied Yams Recipe pairs beautifully with classic dishes like roasted turkey, baked ham, or smoked pork chops. I also like serving it alongside collard greens or a crisp green bean casserole to balance richness with some greens. For a less traditional option, it’s fantastic with grain bowls or even fried chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I sometimes arrange the yams in a pretty circular pattern in a cast-iron skillet and drizzle extra glaze right before serving, so it glistens under the light. Another fun idea is to add a dollop of whipped maple butter on top for a festive flair that guests adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover candied yams in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep beautifully for 3-4 days and still taste just as great when reheated. Pro tip: Let them cool completely before refrigerating to keep the texture just right.
Freezing
I’ve frozen Southern candied yams a couple of times when I made extra for holiday leftovers. Freeze them in a freezer-safe dish or bag, and they’ll last up to 3 months. When thawing, I recommend moving them to the fridge overnight before reheating to keep the texture intact.
Reheating
To reheat, I usually pop them in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave them, but the oven helps maintain that lovely glazed texture and brings back some of the caramelized notes.
FAQs
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Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes for this Southern Candied Yams Recipe?
Regular potatoes won’t provide the same natural sweetness and soft texture that sweet potatoes offer in this recipe. While you can technically use them, the flavor profile will be very different and less rich. I highly recommend sticking to sweet potatoes for that authentic candied yam experience.
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Is it necessary to cover the yams with foil during baking?
Absolutely. Covering the baking dish traps steam which helps the yams cook evenly and stay tender inside. Removing the foil toward the end allows for caramelization and gives the yams that perfect sticky glaze. Skipping the foil step can result in dry or unevenly cooked yams.
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Can I prepare Southern Candied Yams ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the yams and glaze ahead of time and refrigerate before baking. Just make sure to bring the dish to room temperature and adjust baking time slightly as needed. This makes holiday prep less stressful and flavors tend to deepen with resting.
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How do I know when the yams are done?
The yams should be fork-tender after baking—soft enough that a fork slides in easily but not mushy. After the covered bake, testing one or two pieces before the final uncovered bake helps you know if you’re on track.
Final Thoughts
This Southern Candied Yams Recipe isn’t just a side dish—it’s a sweet little tradition that brings warmth and smiles to the table every time I make it. I love how it manages to be rich and indulgent without feeling overwhelming. If you want a recipe that’s straightforward, reliably delicious, and like a hug on a plate, give this one a try. I promise, you’ll have people asking you for the recipe before the meal’s even over!
Print
Southern Candied Yams Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Description
This Southern Candied Yams recipe offers tender sweet potatoes drenched in a rich, buttery sauce infused with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Baked to perfection, these yams are a classic Southern side dish that balances sweetness and spice, perfect for holiday meals or comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 sweet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs)
Sauce
- 5 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the yams.
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes, rinse them under cold water, and slice them into circles about ½ to 1 inch thick. You may cut the circles in half to fit them better into your baking dish.
- Grease Baking Dish: Generously butter a small baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Make Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, lower the heat to medium-low and add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Gradually add spices, tasting as you go to reach your desired spice level. Stir and cook the mixture for about 3 minutes until well combined.
- Combine and Cover: Pour the warm buttery syrup evenly over the sweet potato slices in the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil to trap steam and ensure tender results.
- Bake Covered: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake covered for 45 minutes, allowing the yams to soften and absorb the flavors.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil carefully and stir the yams gently to coat them evenly. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to caramelize the top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven, let the candied yams cool slightly, then serve alongside your favorite main dishes and sides. Enjoy the warm, sweet, and spiced comfort of Southern cuisine!
Notes
- These Southern candied yams are perfectly tender with a wonderful balance of sweetness and warm spices.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg to suit your taste preferences.
- Using salted butter enhances the flavor of the dish, but unsalted butter can be used if preferred.
- Cutting the sweet potatoes uniformly helps them cook evenly.
- For extra richness, you can add a pinch of salt or a splash of orange juice to the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 429 kcal
- Sugar: 46 g
- Sodium: 103 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 74 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg
