Description
Sweet Southern comfort meets culinary magic in Grandma’s Candied Yams, a soul-warming dish brimming with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Creamy orange-glazed yams deliver nostalgic holiday flavors you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 sweet potatoes, medium-sized, peeled and sliced into 1/4 – 1/2 inch pieces
- 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) salted butter (unsalted can also be used)
Sugars:
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon real vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Thoroughly wash and peel sweet potatoes, then slice them into uniform 1/2-inch thick pieces, arranging them evenly across the prepared baking dish.
- Create a rich glaze by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then incorporating brown sugar, granulated sugar, aromatic cinnamon, warm nutmeg, and a delicate pinch of salt. Simmer and whisk continuously for 5 minutes until the mixture transforms into a silky, harmonious blend.
- Stir vanilla into the glossy glaze, then carefully drizzle the entire mixture over the sweet potato slices, ensuring each piece is thoroughly and luxuriously coated.
- Shield the dish with vented aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the potatoes to become tender and absorb the sweet spices.
- Carefully remove the foil, gently stir the potatoes to redistribute the glaze, then re-cover and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes.
- Uncover the dish for the final 10 minutes of baking, allowing the edges to caramelize and develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Remove from the oven and let the candied yams rest for 10 minutes, enabling the glaze to set and intensify in flavor before serving.
Notes
- Customize sweetness by adjusting sugar amounts to suit personal taste preferences.
- Create a lighter version by using alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for a more natural glaze.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and healthy fats.
- Try spice variations by incorporating ground ginger or cardamom for a unique flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern Cuisine
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 354 kcal
- Sugar: 43 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg