Candied yams are probably one of my top 5 favorite holiday foods. Even when it’s not the holiday time, candied yams are just always a hit!! Growing up I loved when my mother made yams! They were always sweet, buttery, seasoned with just the right amount of cinnamon, and of course tender. Yams, along with baked macaroni and cheese, were actually my favorite side dishes to make.
This recipe is so easy to make because once you have sliced your potatoes and made your sauce, the slow cooking process cooks these yams down to a tender potato yet still firm. I call these The Best Candied Yams because y’all they just melt in your mouth and the warm spices come together so well. If you’re in charge of candied yams for the holidays or Sunday dinner this is the recipe you make; everyone will loooove them!
How to make the best candied yams ever!
Step 1
Peel your yams with a peeler. I like using this one from pampered chef but use what you have. Another way I like to remove the skin is to slice the potatoes first and then cut the skin off the slices. Once you have peeled the skin, cut the potatoes into 1/2 inch think slices and the place them into your baking dish.
Step 2
In a medium sauce pan and over medium heat, melt the butter and then add in the sugars. Whisk in the juice and heavy cream until it’s creamy. Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and mix well. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3
Pour the sugar mixture over the potatoes and coat the potatoes well. I like to massage the mixture into the potatoes with my hands. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes remove the foil, baste the potatoes, and bake for another 20 minutes.
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The Best Candied Yams
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
An easy sweet and tender candied yam recipe that’s great for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 5 large sweet potatoes
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons orange or pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F.
- Peel the skin off your potatoes with a peeler. I like the Pamper chef serrated peeler but you can use whatever you have.
- Once all of the potatoes are peeled slice them into 1/2 inch thick slices and place them in a casserole baking dish.
- In a medium pot melt the butter and add the sugars, mix well and then add in juice and heavy cream. Whisk everything together so it’s creamy. Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup, mix well.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the mixture over the potatoes and try to massage the mixture onto the potatoes to ensure everything is well distributed and coated.
- Cover the potatoes with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, remove the foil and baste the potatoes, then bake for another 20 minutes, uncovered.
- Spoon the syrupy mixture over the yams and serve immediately.
Keywords: How to make candied yams, candied yams