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Classic Southern Baked Candied Yams with Sticky Brown Sugar Glaze

Close-up of thick-cut, glazed southern candied yams piled on a white plate with rich syrup.
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Make authentic Southern Candied Yams, a classic soul food side dish featuring tender sweet potatoes coated in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze, perfect for holiday meals.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter melts and the sugars dissolve completely. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Do not boil rapidly.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Carefully pour the hot glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish.
  7. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the glaze has thickened into a rich, sticky syrup. Baste the yams with the pan liquid halfway through this uncovered period.
  10. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a stovetop method, simmer the potatoes in the glaze until tender, then uncover and cook until the sauce reduces to a thick syrup.
  • If you prefer a softer texture, you can boil the sweet potato slices for 5 minutes before arranging them in the baking dish.
  • This recipe is a traditional Southern side dish, not a dessert.

Nutrition

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