Candied Yams have been a holiday tradition in many homes but in my home we eat them all year round. The natural sweetness of the yams combined with the perfect blend of seasonings and baked to perfection, is what gives my recipe it’s delicious taste. If you have ever had a good helping of soul food style old fashioned candied yams then you understand exactly what that means. These yams add the sweetness to your holiday plate or any day menu all year around.
How to Make Candied Yams
Candied yams is a mood all it’s own. Made with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and sweetened with brown and white sugar. The vanilla adds perfect flavor. Feel free to use sweet potatoes for this recipe if you can’t find yams.
1. Watch the video ( Video Tutorial How to Make Candied Yams)
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe2. Ingredients for Candied Yams
This recipe is made with only a few simple ingredients that yields a delicious side dish. For this recipe you will need:
Yams/Sweet Potatoes, Sugar, Golden Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, Nutmeg and Butter.
3. Preparing The Yams
Make sure to Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit before starting.
Step 1: Preparing the Yams
Slice the yams using a sharp knife or a mandoline. For this recipe I used a sharp knife to evenly slice my yams. After you have sliced the yams, Add water to the baking dish then add the sliced yams to the baking dish.
Step 2: Making the Syrup for the Candied Yams
To make the syrup for the yams. Bring a skillet to medium heat then melt one stick (1/2 cup) of butter. After the butter has melted, add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix until your sugars dissolve. Keep a close watch on your pan and temperature during this process. Make sure to stir frequently to ensure your sugar does not seize.
As the sugar begins to melt, add the vanilla, the ground cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon and mix until well incorporated.
Step 3: Baking the Yams
Now that your syrup is ready, pour the sugary mixture over the yams then cover them with aluminum foil. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and allow it to cook for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes remove your baking dish from the oven and give them a gently stir. Return the yams to the oven and allow them to cook for an additional 40 minutes.
This is a classic recipe for Soul Food Candied Yams that is perfect for holidays or any occasion. You may use yams or sweet potatoes if you can’t find any yams around. They are baked until they are soft and caramelized. Candied yams are a delicious and comforting side dish served at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time of the year.
4. What’s the difference between a yam and a sweet potato?
Yams and sweet potatoes are often confused with each other, but they are actually two different vegetables. Yams are a starchy root vegetable that is native to Africa and Asia. They have a long, cylindrical shape and a rough, brown skin. Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable that is native to the Americas. They have a shorter, more tapered shape and a smooth, reddish skin. Sweet potatoes are also sweeter than yams.
Candied Yams Recipe
4
servings30
minutes40
minutesIngredients
4 Yams/Sweet Potatoes
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Golden Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 cup Butter
1 cup Water
Directions
- PreHeat Oven to 350 degrees
- Slice the yams into 1 inch thick slices.
- Add the water to the baking dish then place the yams in the baking dish.
- In a pan melt the butter.
- Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix until dissolved.
- Add the ground cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon and mix.
- Add the vanilla and mix.
- Coat the yams with the mixture then cover with aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes remove from the oven and stir.
- Return the yams to the oven and allow them to cook for an additional 40 minutes.
Recipe Video
The Perfect Soul Food Plate
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