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Southern Candied Yams Recipe

Southern Candied Yams Recipe


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4.8 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet, soul-satisfying Southern Candied Yams bring nostalgic comfort straight from grandmother’s kitchen, blending rich brown sugar, warm spices, and buttery goodness. Creamy golden yams caramelize into a divine side dish that connects generations with each delectable, memorable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs (907 grams) sweet potatoes
  • 1 stick (113 grams) butter

Sugars and Sweeteners:

  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) dark or light brown sugar
  • 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly cleanse sweet potatoes, removing any blemishes, then carefully slice into uniform half-inch circular discs.
  2. Transfer all prepared components into a medium-sized cooking vessel, positioning over moderate to high thermal intensity.
  3. Gently maneuver sweet potato rounds, ensuring complete coverage with caramelized sugar and butter emulsion.
  4. Elevate culinary mixture to boiling point, then reduce thermal energy, covering pot and allowing gentle simmering for approximately 50 minutes until vegetable segments reach optimal tenderness.
  5. Remove protective lid, incrementally increase thermal regulation to moderate setting.
  6. Continue active cooking process, periodically stirring liquid components, enabling syrup to condense and transform into rich, viscous consistency through 10-minute reduction period.
  7. Maintain prepared dish at consistent warmth within oven compartment until meal presentation moment arrives.

Notes

  • Choose firm, unblemished yams for the best texture and flavor.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice yams evenly, ensuring consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
  • Watch closely during the final boiling stage to prevent burning while developing a rich, glossy syrup.
  • Reduce sugar for a lighter version or use alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner, Side Dish, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 346
  • Sugar: 32 g
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg