Southern Candied Yams are a classic holiday side dish.
During the holidays you’ll find a mix of savory and sweet side dishes on the Southern menu. This is sure to include either classic candied yams or sweet potato casserole (souffle).
Sweet potatoes are a Southern staple and are plentiful during the fall and winter months so we make good use of them in a variety of ways. They are so easy to work with, delicious, and nutritious so why bother with the canned stuff.
Candied yams are coated in a sweet glazed with just the right spices added and baked to perfection. Technically what we’re accustomed to calling yams are actually sweet potatoes. I grew up calling them yams and that’s how it will always be for me.
One thing is sure, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same for me without sweet potatoes. The color, the taste and the nostalgia make them a necessary side dish on my holiday menu.
Easy Candied Yams
You’ll find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post. Here’s what you’ll need for this classic side dish: sweet potatoes, butter, sugar (granulated and brown), heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
Preheat oven to 350°F
Step 1: Peel and rinse the sweet potatoes, then slice into 1/4 to 1/2 inch rounds. Lightly spray a casserole dish and add the sweet potatoes.
Step 2: Prepare the glaze. Melt the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Next add the granulated sugar and the brown sugar. Stir well until combined. Next, add the cream and stir to combine.
Bring to a simmer and cook 6-8 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the vanilla, salt and spices. Give a final stir to combine everything together.
Step 3: Pour the glaze mixture over the sweet potatoes making sure to coat as evenly as possible. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for one hour. Next, carefully remove the aluminum foil and check the potatoes for tenderness. If needed, bake uncovered an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Step 4: Transfer to a serving dish and pour some of the glaze in the bottom of the dish over the sweet potatoes. Serve hot.
Let’s make Southern Candied Yams | Sweet Potatoes!
Southern Candied Yams | Sweet Potatoes
Candied yams are a Southern classic. This side dish is delicious for family meals as well as a holiday tradition.
Ingredients
- 3 Large Sweet Potatoes
- 1 Stick of Butter
- 1/4 c Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 c Light Brown Sugar
- 1/4 c Heavy Cream
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- Pinch of Kosher Salt
- 1/8 tsp Ground Nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Begin by preparing the potatoes. Peel and rinse the sweet potatoes, then slice into 1/4 to 1/2 inch rounds.
- Next, lightly spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and add the sweet potatoes.
- Next, prepare the glaze by melting the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.
- Next add the sugars and stir well until combined.
- Next, add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook 6-8 minutes.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and add the vanilla, salt and spices. Give a final stir to combine everything together and pour the glaze mixture over the sweet potatoes.
- Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, carefully remove the aluminum foil and check the potatoes for tenderness.
- Bake uncovered an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender if needed.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 21gProtein: 1g
See this recipe at the Weekend Potluck and Meal Plan Monday
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Author of Julia's Simply Southern
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Jessica H
Thursday 15th of November 2018
When I make candied sweet potatoes I've always boiled the potatoes whole first. When cool the skin slips right off and they are already tenner and they slice very easily. I want to try this glaze. Do you think it would work with my precooked potatoes if I adjust the baking time?
Julia Jordan
Thursday 15th of November 2018
Jessica, Yes, the glaze would still work fine. As you mentioned just be sure to adjust cooking times so you don't end up with mashed sweet potatoes ;)
Amy - The Speedy Spatula
Friday 12th of October 2018
These candied yams look just like what my Grandma T (my mom's mom) always made! Brings back so many memories. Nobody could make candied yams like her!
Julia Jordan
Friday 12th of October 2018
I love the wonderful memories and nostalgia that food gives us. Thank you for sharing yours with us.
Miz Helen
Wednesday 5th of September 2018
I love candied yams and your recipe looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday, we sure enjoyed your post! Miz Helen
Julia Jordan
Wednesday 5th of September 2018
Thank you, Miz Helen
Amy
Thursday 30th of August 2018
I love yams and these look good enough to eat for dessert. Thank you for sharing at Foodie Friday.