Candied Yams

Name: Candied Yams
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 3 lbs large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch rounds; 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed; 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces; 1/4 cup fresh orange juice; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp salt

A beloved Southern holiday side dish of sweet potato rounds baked in a buttery brown sugar and spice glaze until tender and deeply caramelized.

55 minEasyServes 6310 cal/serving

Southern AmericanSideOvenVegetarianGluten-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeLow-SodiumPork-Free

Ingredients

3 lbs large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange 3 lbs peeled, cut into 1/2-inch rounds large sweet potatoes in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish, overlapping slightly if needed.
2

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 6 tbsp cut into small pieces unsalted butter, 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
3

Pour the glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes. Toss gently to coat, then spread back into an even layer.
4

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
5

Uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, basting the potatoes with the glaze in the dish every 5-7 minutes, until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork and the glaze is thick and caramelized.
6

Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Spoon extra glaze from the pan over the top.

Questions

Can I make Candied Yams dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Candied Yams ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Candied Yams?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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