Candied Yams are the ultimate side dish on Thanksgiving. These delicious candied yams are made with brown and white sugar, fresh nutmeg, ginger, honey, vanilla, butter, and orange zest.
This side dish goes perfectly with Loaded Mac and Cheese, Honey Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread, and Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze.
What are Candied Yams?
Candied Yams are a classic Southern side dish mostly served during the holidays. Typically made with brown sugar, nutmeg, butter, and vanilla extract. Although, you may always omit or add an ingredient or two. However, I strongly recommend using butter and brown sugar for this dish.
These candied yams are definitely a comfort dish but did I mention that sweet potatoes are excellent sources of Potassium and Vitamin C?
I used orange sweet potatoes for this dish but don’t be discouraged if yours are a different color and look a little different. There are many varieties of sweet potato and yes, yams are sweet potatoes.
Tips for making the Best Candied Yams
- Cook the glaze over medium-high heat until the brown and white sugar completely dissolves.
- Pour the glaze all over the sliced and peeled yams.
- Cover and bake for 40 minutes.
- Uncover the yams, baste with the glaze, and cook for an additional 45 minutes uncovered.
What should I do if my candied yams glaze is too runny?
You may add some cornstarch and water to thicken up the glaze. I would recommend mixing 2 tsp cornstarch and 2 tsp water and then stirring it into the glaze.
After you add the cornstarch and water let the glaze cook for an additional 10 minutes or until its nicely thickened. Although, if you cook the yams uncovered in the oven, the glaze should thicken nicely without cornstarch.
Should I add Pecans or Marshmallows
I personally don’t like adding miniature marshmallows on top of my candied yams because I find them sweet enough with the marshmallows but pecans would be a great addition here. The pecans will give it a nice crunch. You may also use chopped peanuts or walnuts if you’d like.
More Side Dishes You’ll Enjoy:
You can find more delicious recipes and cooking tutorial videos on Youtube and Facebook.
Candied Yams
Ingredients
- 6 sweet potatoes peeled and sliced
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp honey
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Scrub the yams clean, peel, and cut into 2-3 inch slices.
- Place the sliced yams in a baking dish and set aside.
- To make the glaze, place the butter, orange zest, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, white sugar, brown sugar, honey, and salt in a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat.
- When the mixture thickens and the brown and white sugar completely dissolves, turn the heat off.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the glaze all over the yams.
- Cover and cook for 40 minutes.
- Uncover and baste the yams with the glaze.
- Cook for an additional 45 minutes uncovered until the yams fully cook through and are fork tender.
- Let the yams sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Hi Julie, I was almost in despair. I had used your recipe last month and made THE BEST candied yams I ever ate. I don’t like the marshmallows. But low and behold I couldn’t find your recipe. Thank the good Lord for HISTORY!!! LOL Love them baked like this. Much better than boiling them. Thank you!!
Looks really delicious! Definitely going to make this for the next family get-together. Thanks for sharing the recipe, keep up the good work!