Can I use canned yams for this Candied Yams Recipe?

While fresh sweet potatoes provide the best texture and flavor for this Candied Yams Recipe, you can use canned yams. Since they are already cooked, reduce the baking time to about 25-30 minutes and be careful not to over-stir as they can become mushy.

How do I prevent my candied yams from being too watery?

To prevent a watery Candied Yams Recipe, ensure you don't add too much extra water to the syrup. The potatoes will release their own moisture. Baking uncovered for the last half of the process also helps the syrup reduce and thicken.

Is there a difference between yams and sweet potatoes?

In the United States, most 'yams' sold in grocery stores are actually sweet potatoes with orange flesh. True yams are starchy tubers from Africa and Asia with bark-like skin. For this Candied Yams Recipe, you definitely want the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

Candied Yams Recipe: 7 Secrets to the Southern Side Dish

Name: Old-Fashioned Southern Candied Yams
Prep time: PT-497519H37M31S
Cook time: PT-497519H37M31S
Total time: PT-497519H37M31S
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 4 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds; 1 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; 1/4 cup water (if needed for thinner syrup)

Ingredients

Scale

4 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup water (if needed for thinner syrup)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a large 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes in the prepared baking dish in overlapping layers to ensure the Candied Yams Recipe cooks evenly.
Step 3: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
Step 4: Whisk the mixture constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup begins to bubble slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Pour the syrup mixture over the sweet potatoes, making sure to coat every piece. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Step 6: Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, baste the potatoes with the syrup from the bottom of the dish, and bake for another 30 minutes uncovered until the potatoes are tender and the syrup has thickened.
Step 7: Let this Candied Yams Recipe rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the glaze to set.

Notes

For the best results, use firm sweet potatoes and do not overcook. The syrup will thicken as it cools. You can add a splash of lemon juice to cut the sweetness if desired.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT1H
Category: Side Dishes
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 385 kcal
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 62g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: Candied Yams Recipe, Southern Side Dishes, Sweet Potato Recipe, Thanksgiving Sides, Soul Food Yams

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

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