If you’re searching for a dish that brings warmth and comfort to any table, look no further than this Irresistible Candied Yams Sweet Potatoes Recipe. It’s a heartfelt blend of sweet, buttery sauce enveloping tender sweet potato chunks, creating an unforgettable harmony of flavors and textures. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and luxuriously glazed with a caramel-like syrup, this recipe transforms humble yams into a show-stopping side dish that everyone will ask for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing the balance of sweetness, spice, and creaminess in this recipe. These simple essentials each play an important role in creating that signature rich and velvety texture with a perfect hint of warming spices.
- Sweet potatoes (4 large): Choose firm and bright orange yams for the best natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup): Adds richness and helps the glaze develop that luscious, silky texture.
- Brown sugar (3/4 cup): Gives depth with its molasses notes, enhancing warmth and sweetness.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Balances the brown sugar, creating sparkle and additional sweetness.
- Heavy cream (1/2 cup): Brings creaminess and helps thicken the glaze beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The quintessential spice that infuses warmth and coziness.
- Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): Adds just a whisper of nuttiness for complexity.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, keeping the sweetness balanced.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A sweet aromatic touch that rounds out the glaze perfectly.
How to Make Irresistible Candied Yams Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel the sweet potatoes carefully, then cut them into thick chunks to ensure they hold their shape during baking. Arrange the pieces evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures each yam gets an even coating of that delicious glaze later on.
Step 2: Make the Butter and Sugar Base
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter completely. Melting the butter first is important to create the rich base for your glaze as it helps the sugars dissolve and blend smoothly.
Step 3: Incorporate the Sugars
Stir in the brown sugar and granulated sugar until they dissolve completely into the melted butter. This mixture forms the sweet backbone of your glaze, ensuring the sweet potatoes become decadently coated and sticky.
Step 4: Add Cream and Spices
Next, pour in the heavy cream along with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir constantly for 3 to 4 minutes until the glaze is smooth and slightly thickened. This step is where all the flavors meld and intensify, giving you that irresistible, silky coating.
Step 5: Coat and Bake
Pour the hot glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes, making sure every chunk is generously covered. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to lock in moisture, then bake for 40 minutes. This gentle steaming lets the yams soften perfectly as they soak up the glaze.
Step 6: Finish Baking and Caramelize
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 to 25 minutes. Halfway through, spoon the sauce over the potatoes to maximize the candying effect. The exposed heat allows the glaze to caramelize beautifully, creating those classic sticky, golden edges.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Once baked, let the dish rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the glaze to thicken and settle, turning it into that beautiful, glossy finish you’ll be eager to dive into. Now your Irresistible Candied Yams Sweet Potatoes Recipe is ready to wow!
How to Serve Irresistible Candied Yams Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your dish visually and add texture, sprinkle some toasted pecans or walnuts before serving. A light dusting of freshly chopped parsley or a few dried cranberries also adds a pop of color and fresh flavor contrast to the sweetness.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even a simple baked chicken. The sweet and spicy notes complement savory mains perfectly, making it a classic holiday side or year-round comfort food favorite.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your candied yams in individual ramekins topped with a mini marshmallow or a drizzle of maple syrup. You can also try layering the sweet potatoes in a casserole with marshmallows or a pecan crumble topping for a festive holiday centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover candied yams in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen over time, making the dish even tastier the next day!
Freezing
This dish freezes well, either before or after baking. Just place cooled yams in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil until warmed through, about 20 minutes. Spoon some extra glaze over the yams halfway through reheating if they look dry. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick option if short on time.
FAQs
Can I use regular yams instead of sweet potatoes?
While true yams differ botanically from sweet potatoes, this recipe works best with the sweet orange-fleshed sweet potatoes commonly found in most U.S. grocery stores for their natural sweetness and creamy texture.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream to retain the rich, velvety glaze without dairy.
How can I adjust the sweetness?
If you prefer a less sweet dish, simply reduce the brown and granulated sugars slightly. The spices and vanilla will still provide plenty of flavor depth without overwhelming sweetness.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the yams and glaze up to the initial bake, then refrigerate covered overnight. When ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if chilled. This makes prep easy for holiday meals.
What if I want a crunchier top?
Remove the foil earlier during baking and broil on low for 2 to 3 minutes at the end to caramelize the glaze further. Watch carefully to prevent burning, and you’ll have a delightful crispy finish.
Final Thoughts
This Irresistible Candied Yams Sweet Potatoes Recipe is truly a labor of love that rewards you with each tender, caramel-coated bite. Whether you’re cooking for a festive feast or simply craving something comforting, this dish is sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen. I can’t wait for you to try it and taste that magical, sweet-spiced goodness for yourself!
Print
Irresistible Candied Yams Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Irresistible Candied Yams feature tender sweet potatoes baked in a rich, buttery glaze of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Perfect for holiday meals or as a comforting side dish, this recipe yields sweet, caramelized yams with a luscious sauce.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds total)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thick chunks. Arrange them evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter completely.
- Dissolve Sugars: Stir in the brown sugar and granulated sugar into the melted butter until fully dissolved.
- Add Flavorings and Cream: Add heavy cream, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract to the saucepan. Cook this mixture for 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Coat Sweet Potatoes: Pour the hot glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes, making sure all pieces are well coated.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes to allow the sweet potatoes to cook through and absorb the glaze flavors.
- Bake Uncovered & Glaze: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the sweet potatoes halfway through this baking time to keep them moist and caramelized. The yams should be fork-tender and beautifully glazed when done.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven to allow the glaze to thicken and settle before serving.
Notes
- Use firm, fresh sweet potatoes for the best texture and flavor.
- Covering with foil during the first baking stage locks in moisture, ensuring soft yams.
- Spoon the glaze over the yams during the uncovered baking phase to create a rich caramelized finish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though texture and richness will differ.
- This recipe reheats well and can be prepared a day ahead for convenience.
