Old Fashioned Candied Yams

candied sweet potatoes that are tender and fully baked with a buttery syrup in their baking dish

4.58 from 241 votes

Southern candied yams are a classic holiday dish that is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table. Fork tender sweet potatoes chopped up and baked in the oven covered in a buttery brown sugar glaze with vanilla and cinnamon. This soul food style recipe is a holiday tradition that's been in my family for generations!

Prep Time5

Cook Time1

Total Time1 5

Course: Thanksgiving

Cuisine: African American

Servings: servings

Calories: 294kcal

Author: Eden Westbrook

Equipment

baking dishes
Vegetable Peeler for potatoes

Ingredients

6 medium sized sweet potatoes peeled and cubed into 1 inch pieces
8 tablespoon butter melted
1 cup brown sugar light or dark works
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and kosher salt well.
8 tablespoon butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Use your clean hands or a large spoon to mix the butter-sugar mixture and sweet potatoes in a baking dish or casserole dish. Make sure each sweet potato chunk is well coated in the mixture and the potatoes are laying in an even layer. It's okay if it's not in one layer.
6 medium sized sweet potatoes
Bake the candied yams in the preheated oven for 55 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender, the sugar and potatoes have caramelized, and there is that buttery syrup in the baking dish.
Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving, sugar burns aren't fun!

Notes

Storage: Cool your southern candied yams to room temperature before transferring them into an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Reheat the candied sweet potatoes in a casserole dish in a low oven (325ºF) covered in aluminum foil until warmed through and the buttery syrup has melted again.

Make Ahead Instructions

Candied yams can be made ahead of time completely the day before. Bake in the casserole dish and keep in the fridge, then reheat in a low oven (325ºF) covered in aluminum foil until warmed through and the buttery syrup has melted again.

They can also be made ahead up to the baking part. Cover the sweet potatoes in the brown sugar-butter mixture, cover, and place in the fridge up to three days in advance. Bake the day of and serve hot! Easy and simple.

Nutrition