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Authentic Southern Candied Yams with a Rich Brown Sugar Caramel Glaze

A close-up shot of thick slices of southern candied yams glistening with a rich, dark brown sugary glaze, piled on a white plate.
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Learn to make classic Southern candied yams featuring tender sweet potatoes coated in a thick, buttery, caramelized brown sugar glaze. This soul food side dish skips marshmallows for pure, comforting flavor, perfect for your holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs yams (sweet potatoes), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Arrange the sliced yams in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Carefully pour the hot glaze evenly over the yams in the baking dish.
  7. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, or until the yams are tender when pierced with a fork and the glaze has thickened into a rich syrup. Baste the yams with the pan liquid halfway through this uncovered baking time.
  10. Remove from the oven and let the yams rest for 5 minutes before serving. The glaze will thicken slightly as it cools.

Notes

  • For a stovetop method, simmer the glazed yams in a large, deep skillet over medium-low heat, covered, until tender, then uncover and cook until the sauce reduces to a thick syrup.
  • Select firm, uniform sweet potatoes for even cooking and slicing.
  • You can substitute honey for a portion of the brown sugar for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition

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