Soul Food Candied Yams (Printable)

Sweet yams bathed in buttery syrup and warm spices, perfect as a comforting Southern side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large yams or sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

→ Syrup & Sweeteners

02 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
05 - 1/4 cup water
06 - 1/4 cup orange juice

→ Spices

07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - Arrange the sliced yams in a single, even layer in a large baking dish (9x13-inch).
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, water, and orange juice. Stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, about 3–4 minutes.
04 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and vanilla extract.
05 - Pour the hot syrup evenly over the yams in the baking dish, ensuring all slices are coated.
06 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove the foil, baste the yams with the syrup, and continue baking uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, or until the yams are tender and the syrup is thick and glossy.
08 - Let cool for 10 minutes before serving to allow the syrup to thicken further.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The syrup caramelizes into something glossy and deeply golden, making even skeptics go back for seconds.
  • Your kitchen will smell incredible while it bakes, and guests will ask what you're making before they even sit down.
  • It's foolproof enough for beginners but impressive enough to steal the spotlight at any table.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time—I learned the hard way that cutting into these yams while the syrup is still thin means it all runs away and you're left with dry-looking yams on the plate.
  • The thickness of your yam slices makes all the difference; too thick and they stay crunchy in the middle, too thin and they fall apart into mush.
03 -
  • If your syrup seems too thin after baking, pour it into a saucepan and simmer it on the stove for a few minutes to reduce and thicken it before serving.
  • For extra richness that feels decadent, dot a few extra pats of butter across the yams right before you pour the syrup over them—your guests will taste the difference.
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