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Authentic Southern Candied Yams with Thick Brown Sugar Glaze

Close-up of perfectly glazed, thick-cut southern candied yams piled on a white plate.
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Make classic Southern Candied Yams featuring tender sweet potatoes coated in a rich, thick, buttery brown sugar glaze. This traditional soul food side dish skips marshmallows for deep caramel flavor, perfect for your holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds yams (or sweet potatoes), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Arrange the sliced yams in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Pour the hot brown sugar glaze evenly over the yams in the baking dish.
  7. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, or until the yams are tender when pierced with a fork and the glaze has thickened and caramelized slightly. Baste the yams with the pan liquid halfway through this uncovered baking time.
  10. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. The glaze will thicken as it cools.

Notes

  • Use yams or sweet potatoes that are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
  • For a thicker, stickier glaze, you can simmer the liquid mixture for 2 minutes before pouring it over the yams.
  • This recipe makes a wonderful Sweet Potato Holiday Recipe alternative to casserole.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daisyrecipe.com/southern-candied-yams-recipe-brown-sugar-glaze/