Soul Food Candied Yams (Printable)

Tender yams glazed with brown sugar syrup and warm spices for a comforting Southern side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large yams or sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

→ Syrup & Sweeteners

02 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
05 - 1/4 cup water
06 - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice

→ Spices

07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Arrange sliced yams in a single even layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, water, and orange juice. Stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves completely, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Remove saucepan from heat and stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and vanilla extract.
05 - Pour hot syrup evenly over yams in baking dish, ensuring all slices are thoroughly coated.
06 - Cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove foil, baste yams with syrup, and continue baking uncovered for 20 additional minutes until yams are tender and syrup becomes thick and glossy.
08 - Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving to permit syrup to thicken further.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • Simple ingredients transform into a rich, decadent side dish with minimal effort
  • Perfect balance of sweetness and warm spices creates irresistible flavor
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, welcoming to various dietary needs
  • The glossy brown sugar syrup becomes thick and luscious as it bakes
  • A cherished Southern classic that elevates any meal into a special occasion
02 -
  • Use a sharp vegetable peeler to remove the yam skins quickly and cleanly
  • Keep the yam slices uniform in thickness for even cooking throughout
  • Don't skip the basting step—it builds beautiful layers of caramelized flavor
  • Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking so the syrup thickens perfectly
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
  • Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F to maintain the glossy texture
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