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
Scale
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
