Description
This recipe for Irresistible Candied Yams features tender sweet potatoes baked in a rich, buttery glaze of brown and granulated sugars, cream, and warm spices. The yams are slow-baked until caramelized and fork-tender, making a perfect sweet side dish for holiday dinners or comfort meals year-round.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds total)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare sweet potatoes: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thick chunks, then evenly arrange these chunks in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Melt butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter completely to form the base of your glaze.
- Add sugars: Stir in both the brown sugar and granulated sugar into the melted butter until they have fully dissolved, creating a sweet syrup.
- Add cream and spices: Pour in the heavy cream, then add ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously for 3–4 minutes until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Coat sweet potatoes: Pour the hot glaze evenly over the sweet potato chunks in the baking dish, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
- First bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes to start softening the yams.
- Final bake and glaze: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 20–25 minutes. Halfway through this time, spoon the glaze over the sweet potatoes to enhance caramelization.
- Rest before serving: Let the candied yams rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the glaze to thicken and set before serving.
Notes
- Use a 9×13-inch baking dish for even cooking and proper glaze coverage.
- Peeling the sweet potatoes helps the glaze adhere better but leaving the skin on is optional based on preference.
- The rest time after baking is important to allow the glaze to thicken.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding chopped pecans or walnuts before the final bake.
- These candied yams pair beautifully with holiday turkey or ham dinners.
