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Authentic Southern Candied Yams with Buttery Brown Sugar Glaze

Close-up of thick-cut, glazed candied yams soaking in rich brown syrup on a dark plate.
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Make classic Southern candied yams using this oven-baked recipe. You get tender sweet potatoes covered in a rich, buttery brown sugar and spice glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs yams (sweet potatoes), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 1 cup miniature marshmallows for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Arrange the sliced yams in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, water, corn syrup (or maple syrup), cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Pour the hot glaze evenly over the sweet potato slices in the baking dish.
  6. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  7. Bake for 45 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the yams are tender when pierced with a fork and the glaze has thickened slightly.
  9. If using marshmallows, sprinkle them over the top during the last 5 minutes of baking until they are puffed and lightly browned.
  10. Serve warm.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the water with orange juice.
  • If you prefer a stovetop method, cook the yams in the glaze mixture over low heat, covered, stirring occasionally until tender, about 40 minutes.
  • To achieve a deeper caramel color, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sundayflavor.com/candied-yams-authentic-southern-recipe/