Description
Southern Candied Yams bring comfort and warmth to any holiday table. Sweet potatoes caramelize with butter, brown sugar, and warm spices, creating a rich side dish that connects generations of Southern cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large sweet potatoes or yams (about 2 lbs), peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Peel sweet potatoes into uniform half-inch medallions, ensuring consistent thickness for balanced cooking and caramelization.
- Cookware Selection: Choose a large skillet or deep baking vessel that allows yams to rest in a single layer without overcrowding, promoting even heat distribution.
- Syrup Creation: Melt butter over medium heat, gradually incorporating granulated and brown sugars to develop a rich caramel foundation. Whisk in warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, preventing sugar crystallization while building a complex flavor profile.
- Liquid Integration: Pour water into the sugar mixture, stirring until ingredients blend into a smooth, glossy liquid with a slightly thickened consistency. Remove from heat and introduce vanilla extract, allowing its aromatic essence to infuse the caramel with depth and warmth.
- Coating and Cooking: Cascade the spiced syrup over yam slices, ensuring complete coverage. For stovetop method, cover and simmer on low heat, periodically rotating yams to prevent sticking and promote uniform caramelization. Alternatively, for oven preparation, shield the baking dish with aluminum foil to create a steamy environment.
- Final Stage: Cook until yams transform into tender, glistening morsels with a deep amber glaze, approximately 35-45 minutes. Uncover during the final cooking phase to allow syrup to reduce and develop a slightly crisp, caramelized exterior.
- Serving: Let candied yams rest briefly, permitting the syrup to stabilize and intensify in flavor before serving warm.
Notes
- Slice Strategically: Cut sweet potatoes into uniform half-inch medallions to ensure even cooking and perfect caramelization throughout the dish.
- Choose Wisely: Select a wide skillet or baking dish that allows yams to spread in a single layer, preventing overcrowding and promoting consistent heat distribution.
- Prevent Sugar Clumping: Whisk sugar mixture continuously over medium heat to avoid crystallization and create a smooth, glossy caramel base with complex flavor.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version, or use alternative sweeteners like maple syrup for a refined sugar-free adaptation that maintains the classic Southern candied yam essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 55 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg