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This recipe for Easy Candied Yams is a delicious side dish that combines sweet yams, with butter, sugar, and spices. Rich, tender, and full of flavor. Sure to be popular with everyone at the table.
This recipe pairs well with your favorite protein and side dish of Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Ham Hocks or Garlic Green Beans for a complete meal. Also, if you love the flavor of sweet potato, then you should try making an Easy Sweet Potato Pie or Sweet Potato Cornbread.
Candied yams are a southern staple and soul food classic. They are the perfect combination of sweet potato, butter, sugar, and spices.
Sweet, buttery, caramelized goodness.
For years I avoided making these because my mom makes the best version and so I didn't feel it was necessary for me to take on the task of making this dish. I didn't even bother to learn. It just wasn't important. That is until recently when I was craving them and didn't want to bother asking my mom to whip up a batch.
I chose to give her a call and ask her how to make them and was floored when she told me how easy it is to make them. Her version requires making the syrup separately and pouring it on top of the cooked sweet potatoes. However, this is the lazy gal version and it turns out just as delicious.
Let's get started!
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What is a Candied Yam?
A candied yam is a southern classic dish that is actually made using sweet potato. The sweet potato is cut into pieces and covered with butter and two different types of sugar. Once heated the mixture combines to create a sweet and buttery syrup that carmelizes the sweet potato pieces to make candied yams.
Do Yams and Sweet Potatoes Taste the Same?
No, they do not. Real yams are native to Africa and are a root vegetable that looks similar to the bark of a tree. It has a more starchy flavor, similar to a regular potato. Yams can be purchased in speciality markets.
Sweet potatoes are more commonly found in grocery stores. They are sweet and have a reddish-brown outer skin with an orange sweet flesh in the center. It is not uncommon for sweet potatoes to be labeled as yams in supermarkets.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Yams - These are most commonly referred to as sweet potatoes in the produce section at most grocery stores. They may also be labeled as Mississippi red sweet potatoes or yams. Again, if yams, make sure that it looks like an orange potato with a red outer skin and not tree bark, which is actually a yam and is not sweet.
- Ground Cinnamon - Make sure it is pure ground cinnamon without any additional ingredients added to it.
- Ground Nutmeg - This spice certainly makes a difference, so definitely do not omit it.
- Brown Sugar - For this ingredient, you can use light or dark brown sugar. The dark brown sugar contains more molasses and adds a richer flavor. The light brown sugar is sweet and similar to cane sugar. Either is fine, I have used them both to make this recipe.
- Granulated Sugar - As called white or cane sugar, works well to balance out the sweet flavors in this recipe.
- Butter - Use salted or unsalted butter in your favorite brand.
See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and instructions.
How to Make the Best Candied Yams
Place the cut yams into a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the yams to a low rolling boil and cook until they have a bite and can be pierced with a fork.
Next, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and grab a square baking dish. Drain the water off the yams and carefully pour evenly into the bottom of the baking dish.
Sprinkle the top of the cooked yams evenly with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Spread the granulated sugar and brown sugar over the yams to evenly distribute.
Top with the cubes of butter evenly over the top.
Place the yams into the oven to bake for 10 minutes. The butter should be melted and the candied mixture at the bottom of the baking dish. Remove the baking dish from the oven and gently toss the candied yams to evenly cover the mixture.
Place back into the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the yams are fork-tender. Serve while still warm as a side dish to compliment any meal.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- The yams (sweet potatoes) can be cooked/boiled 1 day ahead and refrigerated overnight to use the next day.
- Be sure not to boil the sweet potatoes too long. This is just a parboil to soften them to be pierced with a fork. They will finish cooking in the oven.
- While baking the sauce will settle at the bottom of the baking dish underneath the potatoes, be sure to gently spoon the sauce over the sweet potatoes after removing them from the oven and before baking.
- Try not to fuss over cutting the sweet potatoes before boiling them, they can be similar in size without being exactly the same.
- You may use light or dark brown sugar and if you don't have either on hand, granulated cane sugar is perfectly fine to use instead.
Storage
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The butter may solidify, but it will melt upon reheating. Simply stir to incorporate before serving.
When ready to serve again, reheat in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish or in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat for a few minutes.
These are best enjoyed the same day they are made or a few days after by reheating. This recipe does not freeze well, unfortunately.
More Recipes You'll Love
- Easy Cornbread Dressing
- Southern Mac and Cheese
- Fried Okra
- Garlic Green Beans
- Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Ham Hocks
- Southern Cornbread
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas for these Easy Candied Yams? Please share them in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Easy Candied Yams
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
- The yams (sweet potatoes) can be cooked/boiled 1 day ahead and refrigerated overnight to use the next day.
- Be sure not to boil the sweet potatoes too long. This is just a parboil to soften them to be pierced with a fork. They will finish cooking in the oven.
- While baking the sauce will settle at the bottom of the baking dish underneath the potatoes, be sure to gently spoon the sauce over the sweet potatoes after removing them from the oven and before baking.
- Try not to fuss over cutting the sweet potatoes before boiling, they can be similar in size without being exactly the same.
- You may use light or dark brown sugar and if you don't have either on hand, granulated cane sugar is perfectly fine to use instead.
Nutrition
*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands used, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Original post date 06/19/2020. Updated 02/15/2023.
Enri Lemoine
I'm a big sweet potato fan, and your recipe has everything I need to enjoy my favorite tuber without complications. Thank you for the inspiration. My casserole turned out delicious!
LaKita
Thank you so much Enri!!
Tristin
I used to always make the sauce separately, but this was is so much easier. Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
LaKita
Thank you Tristin! My mom makes the sauce separate as well, but this way is one less step 😉
Dani
Hands down, the only Candied Yams recipe a family needs. Super easy to make and delicious! Will make again
LaKita
Thank you Dani! Happy to hear that you enjoyed the yam recipe 🙂
Jacqueline Debono
I love sweet potatoes but have never made them this way. It sounds divine. On my to make list!
LaKita
Thank you Jacqueline! They're really good if you do decide to give the recipe a try!
Jersey Girl Cooks
This is such a great side dish and they are so much better than the canned ones!
LaKita
Thank you so much, I agree 🙂
Cathleen
I just bought a whole bunch of yams, and had no idea what to do with them. This is the perfect solution! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
LaKita
Thank you Cathleen! This is a great recipe to use them in 🙂
Pam
I was looking for a recipe that tasted like my grandma's sweet potatoes and this one is perfect!
LaKita
Thank you Pam, I am honored and happy you enjoyed it!
Helene
I had no idea that we could cook this vegetable this way, it's delicious and brings a sweet caramelized touch. A great recipe to keep!
LaKita
Thank you Helene! This way makes the process easier!
Kathryn
These yams are so delicious, I almost forgot we were eating a veggie! Love how you use fresh yams in your recipe as opposed to the canned ones. Making these again and again!
LaKita
Thank you so much Kathryn! I definitely prefer to use fresh yam/sweet potatoes.
megane
These are so good! I could eat a plate full every day 🤣
LaKita
Thank you Megan, me too 🙂
Dee
This is almost to a T how I make my sweet potatoes. I can’t stand them sliced. I also half the sugar and butter to add more while the sweet potatoes are in the oven. Sometimes I add a tsp of vanilla if I have it on hand.
So easy and delicious.
LaKita
Thank you Dee! So glad to hear, my mom also adds vanilla to her candied yams.
Rachel Shaver
Amazing I loved making it and eating it with my family and friends on thanksgiving! So excited to try some more of your recipes🥰
LaKita
Thank you Rachel!! So happy to hear you and your family enjoyed this recipe.
Christian Bass
Yams is one of my favorites, so this will definitely be done today!! Also, What’s up Mike, It’s Gainsgiving!! Let’s eat cause Ik ya mama is feeding you good haha!!
LaKita
Hi Christian! Thank you. Hope you have enough delicious food today to help you make all the Gains this Thanksgiving!
Kelly Hildbold
My mom made candied sweet potatoes but I lost her recipe. This tasted like hers. I am content. Thank you!
LaKita
So glad to hear that Kelly, enjoy!
Michael
Leftovers? Haha, as if!
LaKita
I agree Michael, never any leftovers when it comes to candied yams!
Eilene
Hi 👋🏽. Recipe looks great and I can’t wait to try it.
Should the butter be salted or unsalted?
LaKita
Hi Eilene! Thank you. It doesn't matter with this recipe, use whichever you prefer.
Dani
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
When you're draining the water that you first boiled the yam in, you're draining that water into the baking dish? Do I have that correct?
LaKita
No, just the yams go into the baking dish. Sorry if that wasn't clear in the recipe.