Soul Food Candied Yams (Printable)

Buttery sweet potatoes simmered in a spiced brown sugar syrup for a rich Southern side.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large yams or sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

→ Syrup & Sweeteners

02 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
05 - 1/4 cup water
06 - 1/4 cup orange juice

→ Spices

07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F.
02 - Arrange the sliced yams in a single, even layer in a large 9x13-inch baking dish.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, water, and orange juice. Stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and vanilla extract.
05 - Pour the hot syrup evenly over the yams in the baking dish, ensuring all slices are thoroughly coated.
06 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove the foil, baste the yams with the syrup, and continue baking uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, or until the yams are tender and the syrup is thick and glossy.
08 - Let cool for 10 minutes before serving to allow the syrup to thicken further.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Simple ingredients create deeply satisfying flavors that taste like they took hours of effort
  • The buttery brown sugar syrup becomes thick and glossy, coating each yam slice perfectly
  • Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger create an aromatic experience that fills your kitchen
  • Vegetarian and naturally gluten-free, making it accessible for various dietary needs
  • Perfect for holiday feasts, Sunday dinners, or any time you crave authentic Southern comfort food
02 -
  • Choose yams or sweet potatoes that are similar in size so the slices cook uniformly
  • Don't skip the resting period—it allows the syrup to thicken to the perfect consistency
  • If your syrup seems too thin after baking, you can pour it into a saucepan and reduce it further on the stovetop
  • Make this dish a day ahead and reheat it covered at 325°F for 20 minutes before serving
  • Use a vegetable peeler for quick, even peeling, and a sharp knife for consistent slicing
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