This Candied Yams Recipe is a must-try and combines the delicious flavors of sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and warm spices, making it an ideal dish for any occasion, especially during the holidays. This cherished side dish is easy to prepare and pairs beautifully with various main courses, providing a delightful sweet contrast to savory flavors. Plus, sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients, which is always an additional win!

What are Candied Yams

Candied yams are a sweet dish typically made from sweet potatoes, often served as a side during holiday meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas. The sweet potatoes are peeled, sliced, and then baked with a mixture of sugar (usually brown and granulated), butter, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Sometimes, additional ingredients like orange juice, vanilla extract, or cream are included to enhance the flavor and richness. The result is a dish with a sweet, syrupy glaze that caramelizes as it bakes, creating a comforting and deliciously indulgent treat. While often referred to as “yams,” the dish primarily uses sweet potatoes in the U.S.

The History of Candied Yams

Candied yams have a rich history rooted in African American culinary traditions. The dish likely evolved from the practice of sweetening root vegetables, a method brought to America by enslaved Africans. In the Southern United States, sweet potatoes became a staple due to their versatility and nutritional value.

The modern version of candied yams typically features sweet potatoes baked with butter, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It gained popularity in the 19th century, especially during holiday gatherings, and became a traditional side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

The dish symbolizes comfort and home, often associated with family gatherings and celebrations. Over the years, variations have emerged, incorporating ingredients like marshmallows or pecans, but the essence of sweet, caramelized flavors remains the same. Today, candied yams are cherished not just for their taste but also for their cultural significance in American cuisine.

The Best Candied Yams Recipe

This candied yams recipe stands out as the best for several reasons. The addition of a hint of orange juice brightens the dish, infusing it with a refreshing citrus note that perfectly complements the sweetness of the yams. The inclusion of half-and-half adds a luxurious creaminess to the sauce, creating a rich, velvety texture that coats each bite beautifully. Combined with warm spiced sugar and vanilla, the flavors meld together to create a heavenly dish that is both comforting and indulgent. This delightful combination ensures that each serving of candied yams is a truly irresistible treat, elevating any holiday meal to something extraordinary.

Ingredients Needed

Sweet Potatoes: The star of the dish, they provide natural sweetness and a creamy texture when cooked.
Dark Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The dark brown sugar adds a rich, caramel-like flavor, while the granulated sugar enhances sweetness, creating a perfect blend for the sauce.
Fresh Orange Juice: A splash of orange juice adds brightness and acidity, enhancing the overall flavor and complementing the sweetness of the yams.
Spices: I use cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. These warm spices create a cozy, aromatic profile, adding depth and warmth that evoke holiday nostalgia.
Heavy Cream: This ingredient contributes a luscious creaminess to the sauce, making it rich and indulgent.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a silky texture, helping to meld all the flavors together.
Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness, enhancing the overall taste and making the flavors pop.
Vanilla Extract: This adds a subtle depth and warmth, tying all the flavors together beautifully.

How to Make This Candied Yams Recipe

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2. Then, wash and clean your sweet potatoes. Then, add your potatoes to a large pot of salted water (about 1 tsp of salt) and bring to a boil. Your potatoes should be fully submerged. Boil your potatoes for about 30 minutes or until just tender. A fork should be able to pierce potatoes, but you don’t want them too soft or mushy. Note, depending on the sizes, some may be finished before others.

Step 3. While the potatoes are boiling, make your sugar mixture. Add melted butter to a medium bowl. Then, add the sugars, spices, orange juice, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until well mixed. Set aside.

Step 4. When your potatoes are almost done, prepare an iced water bath to instantly cool your potatoes by adding ice and water to a large bowl. Once the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, remove them from the pot and place them in the ice water to cool.

Step 5. Once cooled, remove the potatoes from the water and dry them. Cut the tops and bottoms of the potatoes and carefully remove the skin from the sweet potatoes. Then, slice the sweet potatoes in 1/2 inch disks/circles and evenly place in the casserole dish.

Step 6. Next, evenly add your sugar mixture overtop of the sweet potatoes. Then, cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then, take the sweet potatoes, baste them with the sauce, remove the foil and cook the sweet potatoes for an additional 20-25 minutes or until your desired doneness. Note, your candied yams should be tender, but should not fall apart.

Step 7. Lastly, remove from the oven, and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Then, enjoy! and leave a comment on my blog! Also, be sure to share your photo on instagram and tag @butterloveandsalt! We would love to see how your candied yams come out!

More Delicious Recipes

FAQs

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same?

In the U.S., the term “yams” often refers to sweet potatoes. True yams are starchy tubers native to Africa and the Caribbean, while sweet potatoes are sweeter and more commonly used in candied yam recipes.

Can I make candied yams ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it. Just reheat in the oven before serving, adding a little extra butter if needed.

How do I store leftover candied yams?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave.

Can I use canned sweet potatoes?

I wouldn’t recommend for this recipe, but if you do, just note that the texture may be a lot softer so you’ll need to monitor the baking time.

Can I add toppings?

Yes! For extra flavor and texture, consider adding chopped pecans, walnuts, or mini marshmallows on top during the last few minutes of baking.

I hope you love this Candied Yams Recipe! It’s perfectly spiced, sweet, and absolutely delicious! If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @butterloveandsalt on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support Butter, Love & Salt and make it possible for me to continue to create delicious recipes.