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Overhead view of finished candied yams in square white baking dish on marble surface.
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4.80 from 44 votes

Candied Yams Recipe

This easy candied yams recipe features tender sweet potatoes coated in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze. A classic Southern side dish for Sunday dinners and holidays!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked candied yams, easy candied yams, southern candied yams
Servings: 9
Calories: 344kcal
Author: LaKita Anderson

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.
    Overhead view of sweet potatoes in large pot on marble surface.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Drain the water off the yams and carefully pour them into an 8x8-inch square baking dish.
    Parboiled sweet potatoes added to white baking dish.
  • Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
    Cinnamon and nutmeg added to parboiled sweet potatoes in baking dish.
  • Spread the ¼ cup granulated sugar and ¾ cup brown sugar over the yams evenly to distribute.
    Cane sugar and brown sugar added to the sweet potatoes in the baking dish.
  • Top with the cubes of 8 tablespoons butter evenly over the top.
    Cubed butter added on top of the other yam ingredients in the white baking dish.
  • 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.
    Overhead view of baked yams in white baking dish on marble surface.
  • 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.
    Close up view of finished yams in white baking dish.

Video

Notes

  • Substitution: You can use sweet potatoes if you can’t find yams.
  • Flavor Boost: Swap part of the granulated sugar for dark brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
  • Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cloves for extra warmth.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 189mg | Potassium: 665mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 27109IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg
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