Modified: Jun 30, 2025 · Published: Nov 11, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Southern Candied Yams (Black Family Recipe, No Syrup)

These Southern Candied Yams are sweet, buttery, and baked to perfection, just like my mama makes them. There’s no stovetop syrup or marshmallows here, just tender sweet potatoes coated in brown sugar, warm spices, and melting butter that caramelizes as it bakes.

Updated June 2025: This post has been refreshed with new expert tips, clarified steps, and FAQs for the best baked candied yams every time. It was originally posted in June 2020.

Close up overhead view of finished yams in a white baking dish.

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Before You Bake, Read This!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Do Yams and Sweet Potatoes Taste the Same?
Ingredients You'll Need
📖 Recipe
LaKita's Best Candied Yams Recipe Tips & Tricks
Storage Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Want More Easy Side Dish Recipes? Try These:

Here's what some readers are saying about this recipe:

One reader, Tristin, commented: "I used to always make the sauce separately, but this is so much easier. Thanks for sharing this great recipe! ★★★★★"

Another reader, Dani, says: "Hands down, the only Candied Yams recipe a family needs. Super easy to make and delicious! Will make again. ★★★★★"

Another reader, Kelly, says: "My mom made candied sweet potatoes, but I lost her recipe. This tasted like hers. I am content. Thank you! ★★★★★"

It’s the kind of soul food side dish that makes the whole table pause after the first bite. I shared a similar recipe with The Kitchn, and I’m so excited to share it here too because I know you’ll love it just as much.

Perfect for Sunday dinner or the holiday table, these candied yams are simple, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying.

Before You Bake, Read This!

💬 The Vibe: This is a Black family classic, sweet potatoes baked in a rich, buttery brown sugar sauce, tender enough to melt in your mouth but still hold their shape.

🔑 What You Gotta Know: Parboil the sweet potatoes just until fork-tender, don’t overcook or they’ll fall apart in the oven.

🍴 Best Bite Alert: That syrupy glaze pooling at the bottom of the pan? Spoon it over every bite (or drizzle it on your cornbread...you’re welcome).

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Classic Black Southern-style recipe passed down from my mom.
No boiled syrup required, just layer and bake, lazy-gal style!
Perfect for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, or any day you want buttery, spiced comfort.

Do Yams and Sweet Potatoes Taste the Same?

No, they don’t, and the difference matters.

Real yams are native to Africa and have rough, bark-like skin with starchy white flesh. Their flavor is more neutral, similar to a regular potato, and they’re typically found in international or specialty markets.

Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are what most U.S. grocery stores label as "yams." They have reddish-brown skin, vibrant orange flesh, and a naturally sweet flavor. That’s what we’re using in this recipe, even if the store calls them yams.

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Ingredients You'll Need

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make yams in separate bowls on marble surface.

Sweet Potatoes a.k.a. Yams - These are most commonly referred to as sweet potatoes in the produce section at most grocery stores. Look for the reddish-skinned, orange-fleshed kind (not true African yams).
Ground Cinnamon - Warm and cozy.
Ground Nutmeg - Just a little adds depth and soul.
Brown Sugar - Light or dark works. Dark gives a richer molasses flavor. You can substitute with maple syrup.
Granulated Sugar - As called white or cane sugar, works well to add additional sweetness to the recipe.
Butter - Salted or unsalted, use real butter for richness.

👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of finished candied yams in square white baking dish on marble surface.

Southern Candied Yams

LaKita Anderson

These Southern Candied Yams are a buttery, spiced, Black family recipe made without boiling syrup. Easy to prep and perfect for holidays or Sunday dinner.

4.80 from 44 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 344 kcal

Equipment

1 Large Stock Pot or Dutch Oven
1 8x8-inch square baking dish

Ingredients

5 large yams (sweet potatoes), peeled and cut into large chunks (about 4 to 5 cups)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
8 tablespoons butter, cubed

Instructions

Place the cut yams (5 large sweet potatoes) into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat and cook until they have a bite and can be pierced with a fork. Careful not to overcook, they should not be fully cooked, just enough to soften. Approximately 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Drain the water off the yams and carefully pour them into an 8x8-inch square baking dish.
Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Spread the ¼ cup granulated sugar and ¾ cup brown sugar over the yams evenly to distribute.
Top with the cubes of 8 tablespoons butter evenly over the top.
Place in the oven to bake for about 10 minutes. The butter should be melted and the candied mixture at the bottom of the baking dish. Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and gently toss the candied yams to evenly cover in the mixture.
Place back into the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the yams are fork-tender. Remove from the oven and spoon the candied mixture evenly over the top. Serve warm and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

Prep ahead: You can parboil the sweet potatoes a day in advance. Just store them in the fridge until you're ready to assemble and bake.
Don’t overboil: You’re just softening the sweet potatoes. Parboil until they can be pierced with a fork, but still hold their shape. They’ll finish cooking in the oven.
Spoon the sauce: As the yams bake, the buttery syrup will settle at the bottom of the dish. Be sure to gently spoon it over the sweet potatoes after baking (and again before serving if you’d like).
No need for perfect cuts: The sweet potatoes don’t need to be exactly uniform in size, just aim for similar thickness so they cook evenly.
Use what you have: Light or dark brown sugar both work great. No brown sugar? Granulated sugar or even maple syrup will do in a pinch.

Calories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 189mgPotassium: 665mgFiber: 6gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 27109IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword baked candied yams, easy candied yams, southern candied yams

Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Close up view of finished yams in white baking dish with serving spoon.

LaKita's Best Candied Yams Recipe Tips & Tricks

Don’t overboil: You’re just softening the sweet potatoes. Parboil until they can be pierced with a fork, but still hold their shape. They’ll finish cooking in the oven.
Spoon the sauce: As the yams bake, the buttery syrup will settle at the bottom of the dish. Be sure to gently spoon it over the sweet potatoes after baking and again before serving if you’d like.
No need for perfect cuts: The sweet potatoes don’t need to be exactly uniform in size, just aim for similar thickness so they cook evenly.
Use what you have: Light or dark brown sugar both work great. No brown sugar? Granulated sugar or even maple syrup will do in a pinch.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. The butter may solidify when cold, but will melt again beautifully when warmed.
Freezing? Not recommended, this dish is best fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead?

Yes! Parboil and store the sweet potatoes in the fridge, then assemble and bake the next day.

Why boil before baking?

It ensures the potatoes cook evenly and absorb the syrup while still keeping their shape.

Can I skip white granulated sugar?

You can use all brown sugar or substitute a little maple syrup for extra depth.

Can I use canned yams?

I don’t recommend it. Fresh sweet potatoes hold their shape better and taste less processed.

Do I need marshmallows?

Nope. This version is rich and sweet enough on its own.

Single serving of finished yams in white bowl with spoon in it.

Want More Easy Side Dish Recipes? Try These:

Did this recipe remind you of someone in your family who always brought the yams to the holiday table? Leave a comment below, rate the recipe, or tag @SimplyLaKita on Instagram. I love seeing your plates!

💌 From my kitchen to yours, happy baking!