Description
Sweet southern candied yams elevate classic comfort cuisine with caramelized brown sugar and warm spices. Creamy potato slices mingle with cinnamon and butter, creating a nostalgic side dish perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) sweet potatoes, peeled
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters / 1 stick) butter
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the sweet potatoes by slicing them into uniform rounds, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
- Submerge potato rounds in a large pot of water and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for approximately 5 minutes until edges soften while maintaining a slight firmness in the center. Carefully drain and return potatoes to the pot.
- Create a rich caramel syrup by combining butter, sugars, warming spices, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan. Melt ingredients over medium heat, stirring consistently until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous, about 5 minutes.
- Gently cascade the aromatic syrup over the partially cooked sweet potato rounds, ensuring each slice is thoroughly coated with the sweet mixture.
- Transfer the glazed potatoes to a baking dish and place in a preheated 350°F oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and delicately redistribute the potatoes in the syrup to promote even caramelization.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the potatoes achieve a deep golden color and the syrup transforms into a thick, glossy caramel.
- Remove from the oven and allow the candied yams to rest for 5 minutes, permitting the syrup to slightly set and intensify in flavor before serving.
Notes
- Parboil potatoes briefly to ensure a tender yet structured texture that holds up during caramelization.
- Use dark brown sugar for deeper, richer flavor complexity and enhanced caramel notes.
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing cinnamon and nutmeg to suit personal taste preferences.
- For a healthier version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use coconut sugar as a lower glycemic alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 408
- Sugar: 51 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg