Description
Delight in these irresistibly sweet and tender Candied Yams made with rich butter, brown sugar, and warm spices. Perfectly baked to achieve a caramelized glaze, this classic sweet potato dish is a comforting treat for any holiday or family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
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 Prepare Potatoes: Preheat your 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 to ensure even cooking.
- Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter completely to create the base of the glaze.
- Add Sugars: Stir in the brown sugar and granulated sugar into the melted butter until fully dissolved, forming a sweet syrup.
- Make the Glaze: Add the heavy cream, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract to the saucepan. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Coat Sweet Potatoes: Pour the hot glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish, ensuring all pieces are coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Initial Bake: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes to allow the sweet potatoes to soften and absorb the glaze.
- Caramelize: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20–25 minutes, spooning the sauce over the potatoes halfway through to ensure caramelization and a tender texture.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the candied yams rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the glaze to thicken and fully develop its rich flavor before serving.
Notes
- Use firm sweet potatoes to prevent them from becoming too mushy during baking.
- You can adjust the amount of sugar for a less sweet or sweeter dish according to your preference.
- Covering with foil at first prevents the glaze from burning and helps cook the potatoes properly.
- Spoon the glaze over the yams during the uncovered bake time to promote an even caramelized coating.
- Allow resting time to avoid the glaze being too runny when served.
