Candied yams are a southern favorite. They’re made with sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, and spices¹. They’re a hit at holiday meals, especially Thanksgiving. Their sweet and buttery taste makes them a family favorite.

To make candied yams, you need sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, and spices. Use 4 large sweet potatoes, ½ cup of butter, and 2 cups of sugar¹. Bake them at 350°F, covered for 40 minutes, then uncovered for 20-25 minutes until tender¹.

Key Takeaways

• Candied yams are a popular side dish made with sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, and spices¹.
• The traditional preparation of candied yams emphasizes the dish’s sweetness and depth of flavor¹.
• Typical ingredient ratios for making candied yams include 4 large sweet potatoes, ½ cup of unsalted butter, and 2 cups of granulated sugar¹.
• Cooking methods involve baking at 350°F, covered for the first 40 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes until fork-tender¹.
• Candied yams can be served as a sweet potato side dish or Thanksgiving dessert.
• The use of heavy whipping cream contributes to a creamy texture, while the combination of spices enhances the overall flavor profile¹.

Introduction to Candied Yams

Candied yams are a favorite in Southern cooking. They’re often made for holidays and family meals². Sweet potatoes are used, picked right before the first frost². This dish is a big part of Southern culture and history.

Making candied yams is a family affair. Everyone helps from growing the potatoes to cooking and eating them². It’s a long process that brings families together, keeping traditions alive².

What Are Candied Yams?

Candied yams are sweet potatoes cooked in a sweet syrup. They’re made with sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, and spices³. It takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes to cook, including prep time³.

Brief History of the Dish

Candied yams have been around since early American times². They were a staple in the South, served at family events and holidays². The recipe has changed over time, but the classic version is still loved².

Ingredients Needed

To make delicious oven-baked yams, you need a few things. You’ll need yams, butter, sugar, and spices⁴. The recipe for candied yams, a soul food favorite, uses a brown sugar glaze. This gives it a special flavor and texture.

You’ll need 2 cans of yams, 1 cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of butter, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract⁴.

The right mix of ingredients is key for the best taste⁴. You can add nuts or orange zest for more flavor. For a vegan version, use vegan butter⁵. Bake at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes⁴.

Here’s what you need for candied yams:

• 2 cans of yams (15 oz each)⁴
• 1 cup brown sugar⁴
• ½ cup butter (1 stick)⁴
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract⁴
• ½ teaspoon salt⁴

You can also use fresh yams. Bake them with a brown sugar glaze for a tasty dish⁶.

Candied yams have 443 kcal per serving. They have 76 g of carbs and 16 g of fat⁴. This dish is loved during the holidays for its rich flavor and texture⁵.

Preparing the Yams

To make tasty candied yams, pick the right yams and wash and peel them right. Look for yams that are firm and have smooth skin⁷. This makes sure your yams are fresh and ready to cook.

Wash the yams in cold water to get rid of dirt. Then, peel them with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Make sure to remove any eyes or blemishes. This makes your dish smooth and even⁸.

If you want an easy option, use canned yams⁸. But, fresh yams taste and feel better. With the right steps and ingredients, your sweet potato dish will wow your guests.

By following these steps and using the right ingredients, you can make a delicious holiday dish. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any special event⁷.

Cooking Methods

There are many ways to cook homemade candied yams. You can bake them or cook them on the stovetop. For baking, the oven should be between 135°F and 170°F (57°C and 77°C)⁷. This helps the yams get sweet.

On the stovetop, cook the yams in a sweet and buttery mix. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes after you take the lid off⁸. This way, the yams get soft and the sauce gets sweet.

Some important things to remember when cooking candied yams include:

• Cooking time: 50 minutes on medium-high heat to reach tenderness⁸
• Preparation time: 10 minutes⁸
• Ingredient ratio: 1 to 1.25 cups of brown sugar per recipe⁹

By following these tips and choosing the right method, you can make tasty candied yams. Whether you bake or cook on the stovetop, the secret is in the details and using good ingredients⁷.

Making the Candied Sauce

To make the candied sauce, you need brown sugar, butter, and spices¹⁰. The brown sugar glaze makes this dish special. It’s a key part of a traditional family recipe for candied yams¹¹.

The sauce is made by boiling the ingredients for a few minutes. Then, you reduce the heat and simmer until it thickens¹². This takes about 2 minutes, depending on the heat and sauce consistency¹². Always stir the sauce to avoid burning or sticking.

Here’s a quick look at what you need and how to make the sauce:

• 1 cup brown sugar¹⁰
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar¹¹
• 4 oz (1/2 cup) unsalted butter¹⁰
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon¹¹
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger¹¹
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg¹¹
• Salt to taste¹¹

Combining Yams and Sauce

To make a tasty Southern dish, mix yams and sauce right. This recipe is easy and perfect for holidays. It’s important to layer them for the best taste.

First, cook the yams to the right temperature. This makes them sweet. The first web source says to cook them between 135°F and 170°F¹³.

Then, mix the sauce with lots of water. This helps the sugar dissolve well. Cider vinegar adds a nice balance to the sweetness¹³.

For 5 people, use 2 pounds of sweet potatoes. Add 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of white sugar⁸.

Here’s a quick guide to cooking:

• Prep time: 10 minutes⁸
• Cook time: 1 hour (50 minutes simmer + 10 minutes reducing)⁸
• Cooking method: Slow-cooked on the stove-top until tender⁸

Follow these steps and use the right ingredients. You’ll make delicious homemade candied yams. They’re perfect for holidays and add great flavor to any Southern dish¹³⁸.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

To keep oven-baked yams with brown sugar glaze tasty, store and reheat them right. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days¹⁴. When you reheat, make sure the yams get to 165°F to kill bacteria¹⁵.

Reheat them on medium heat, in a 350°F oven, or in the microwave¹⁴. Remember, about 30-40% of food in the U.S. goes to waste, including leftovers¹⁵. Using Tupperware can help, as it’s become more popular for storing food¹⁵.

Here are some tips for storing and reheating oven-baked yams:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Use medium heat on the stovetop, 350°F in the oven, or the microwave.

Follow these tips to enjoy your oven-baked yams with brown sugar glaze for days.

Serving Suggestions

Candied yams are great as a sweet potato side dish or a Thanksgiving dessert. They’re perfect for the holiday season⁹. You can garnish them with marshmallows, nuts, or cinnamon for extra flair.

Pair candied yams with dishes like roasted turkey or mashed potatoes. This balances their sweetness with savory flavors. Good pairings include:

• Roasted meats, such as turkey or ham
• Steamed vegetables, like green beans or carrots
• Mashed or roasted root vegetables, such as potatoes or parsnips

Make the dish look nice by arranging the yams in a pattern. Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for color and freshness. This makes candied yams a standout dish at any holiday¹⁶.

The recipe makes about 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, serving 6 to 8 people⁹. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit¹⁷. Follow these tips for a delicious and beautiful candied yam dish.

With these ideas, you can make candied yams a hit at your holiday gathering¹⁶. So, get creative and make this dessert or side dish unforgettable¹⁷.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people wonder if sweet potatoes can replace yams in candied yams¹⁸. Sweet potatoes can be a good substitute. They should be cut to about ½ inch thick so they’re tender after cooking¹⁸. This is great for Southern-style cooking, where candied yams are a favorite.

Some ask how to make the dish sweeter. You can add more sugar to taste. Some recipes even use piloncillo, a Mexican sweetener, for a special flavor¹⁸. For oven-baked yams, cook them for about 45 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Stir them every 15 minutes¹⁹.

Here are some tips for making the best candied yams:

• Use fresh sweet potatoes for the best flavor
• Don’t overcook the yams, as they can become too soft and mushy
• Adjust the amount of sugar to your taste
• Use unsalted butter for a balanced flavor¹⁸

By following these tips and using the right ingredients, you can make delicious homemade candied yams. They’re perfect for any event, especially with oven-baked yams in Southern-style cooking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making candied yams, it’s key to avoid common mistakes. One big error is overcooking the yams, making them mushy²⁰. Cook them until they’re tender but still firm. Also, not using enough sauce can make the yams dry and tasteless²¹.

A traditional recipe for candied yams uses a brown sugar glaze. This glaze adds a rich, caramel-like flavor. It’s a soul food favorite, often enjoyed during holidays. By avoiding mistakes and using the right ingredients, you can make a delicious candied yam dish.

To get the perfect brown sugar glaze, use the right amount of sugar and butter. Use ½ cup of brown sugar and ½ cup of unsalted butter²¹. This will make your candied yams sweet and sticky. Follow these tips to make a recipe that will be loved for years to come.

Conclusion

Making candied yams is a tradition that has lasted for ages²². It started in West Africa and came to America with enslaved Africans²². Now, it’s a favorite at Thanksgiving and other holidays²².

People love candied yams for their taste and history²². You can make it the old way or try new things like adding bourbon²². The secret to a great candied yam is knowing how to cook it right²³.

So, let’s keep candied yams alive in our holiday traditions²². It’s great as a side dish or in other recipes²³. This easy recipe will make your family and friends happy, and it will be a part of your cooking legacy²³.