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Southern Candied Yams

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These Southern Candied Yams transform simple sweet potatoes into a decadent side dish. The recipe starts with partially boiled sweet potatoes, ensuring they're tender but still hold their shape. A luxurious syrup made with butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar creates the signature candy-like coating, while cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla add warm, comforting flavors. The potatoes are baked in this rich syrup, which caramelizes to perfection, creating a glossy glaze that coats each piece. The result is a classic Southern dish that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and buttery flavors, making it an essential addition to holiday meals.
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:56:52 GMT
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Sweet and tender Southern candied sweet potatoes, glazed with a rich, buttery syrup. pin it
Sweet and tender Southern candied sweet potatoes, glazed with a rich, buttery syrup. | myhomemaderecipe.com

These Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes transform humble root vegetables into a luxurious side dish that tastes like dessert but still counts as a vegetable. The potatoes slowly cook in a butter-rich syrup until they're tender enough to melt in your mouth, while their edges caramelize into a gorgeous amber glaze.

I discovered the magic of adding a tiny pinch of salt to the syrup through my grandmother's recipe card - it's the secret that makes all the sweet and spicy flavors sing together in perfect harmony.

Essential Ingredients Guide

  • Sweet Potatoes: Choose firm, orange-fleshed potatoes of similar size
  • Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar adds deeper molasses notes
  • Butter: Real butter only - no substitutes for this classic
  • Cinnamon: Fresh ground adds the warmest flavor
  • Nutmeg: Just a pinch transforms the whole dish
  • Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla creates an aromatic base
Classic Southern candied sweet potatoes, a comforting and flavorful side dish. pin it
Classic Southern candied sweet potatoes, a comforting and flavorful side dish. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sweet Potato Preparation (20 minutes):
Wash and peel potatoes carefully. Cut into uniform 1/2-inch rounds. Place in cold water as you work. Par-boil until edges are just tender. Drain well before baking.
Syrup Creation (10 minutes):
Melt butter slowly in heavy saucepan. Add both sugars gradually. Stir until completely dissolved. Add spices and vanilla. Simmer until slightly thickened.
Assembly Process (5 minutes):
Layer potatoes in baking dish. Pour hot syrup over each layer. Ensure all pieces are coated. Cover with foil for initial baking.
Baking to Perfection (45-60 minutes):
Start covered at 375°F. Remove foil halfway through. Baste occasionally with syrup. Cook until fork-tender and glazed.

My most cherished memory of this dish is watching my mother carefully arranging the potato slices "just so" in her favorite ceramic baker, saying that pretty food tastes better. She was right - the presentation does matter.

Final Thoughts: These Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are more than just a side dish - they're a celebration of traditional Southern cooking that brings warmth and comfort to any holiday table. The way the butter and sugar transform simple sweet potatoes into something magical reminds us that sometimes the most memorable dishes come from the simplest ingredients treated with care and patience.

Delicious candied sweet potatoes, a traditional Southern recipe for sweet perfection. pin it
Delicious candied sweet potatoes, a traditional Southern recipe for sweet perfection. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make candied yams ahead of time?
Yes, prepare them a day ahead, store in the refrigerator, and reheat in the oven until heated through.
→ What's the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?
Most 'yams' in US groceries are actually sweet potatoes. True yams are starchier and less sweet.
→ Why pre-boil the sweet potatoes?
Pre-boiling ensures even cooking and helps the potatoes absorb the sweet syrup while maintaining their shape.
→ Can I use less sugar in this recipe?
Yes, you can reduce the sugar amount, though it will affect the traditional candied texture and flavor.
→ How do I know when the yams are done?
They should be fork-tender and the syrup should be thick and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes total baking time.

Classic Southern Candied Sweet Yams

Tender sweet potatoes glazed in a rich butter and brown sugar syrup, seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg for the perfect holiday side dish.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled
02 3/4 cup brown sugar
03 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
05 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 Pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 02

Slice sweet potatoes into rounds and place in a large pot covered with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes until edges are tender but centers are still slightly firm. Drain and return to pot.

Step 03

In a saucepan, combine butter, both sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt. Cook over medium heat until sugar melts, about 5 minutes.

Step 04

Pour sugar mixture over sweet potatoes and gently stir to coat. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, carefully toss potatoes in syrup, then return to oven for 15-20 more minutes until potatoes are done and syrup has caramelized.

Step 05

Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. A classic holiday side dish that's perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but delicious year-round. Sweet potatoes are cooked in a rich syrup of butter, brown sugar, and warm spices until perfectly tender and caramelized.
  2. Can be topped with marshmallows and broiled briefly for a classic variation, or sprinkled with toasted or candied pecans.
  3. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot
  • Saucepan
  • Baking dish

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 510
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 90 g
  • Protein: 4 g