Introduction

Get ready to make an incredible Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes that everyone will love! This recipe combines simple ingredients with great flavor to create something truly special. Perfect for any occasion, this dish is both delicious and easy to prepare.

Follow along as we show you how to make this wonderful recipe step by step!

Perfect! Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes (or “Candied Yams”) are a classic soul food side dish that is the epitome of comfort. They are sweet, buttery, soft, and swimming in a rich, syrupy glaze. This recipe will give you that traditional, deeply caramelized flavor.

Classic Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

This recipe uses a stovetop-to-oven method for maximum flavor and perfectly tender potatoes that hold their shape.

Ingredients

· 3 lbs (about 1.4 kg) sweet potatoes, peeled
· 1/2 cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter
· 1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar
· 1/2 cup (120ml) pure maple syrup, honey, or corn syrup
· 1/2 cup (120ml) water or orange juice (orange juice adds a nice brightness)
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
· 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice or ginger (optional)
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· Zest of one orange (optional, but highly recommended)

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick rounds or large chunks.
2. Par-Cook the Potatoes (Optional but Recommended): Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes until they are just starting to become tender but are still firm in the center (a fork can be inserted with a little resistance). This step helps them cook evenly and absorb the syrup better. Drain thoroughly.
3. Make the Syrup: In a large, oven-safe Dutch oven or skillet (or a 9×13-inch baking dish if you don’t have one), combine the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, water/orange juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
4. Combine and Simmer: Add the par-cooked (or raw) sweet potatoes to the syrup. Gently toss to coat. Bring the syrup to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
5. Bake to Perfection:
   · If your pot is oven-safe, simply transfer it to the preheated oven.
   · If you started in a skillet, carefully transfer the potatoes and all the syrup to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
   · Bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes, basting the potatoes with the syrup every 15-20 minutes. The dish is done when the potatoes are fork-tender, the syrup has thickened significantly, and the tops are glazed and shiny.
6. Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven and stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest (if using). Let them rest for 10-15 minutes; the sauce will continue to thicken as they cool. Serve warm.

🌟 Pro-Tips for the Best Candied Yams

· Choosing Potatoes: Look for potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking. “Garnet” or “Jewel” yams (which are actually a variety of sweet potato) are classic for this dish because of their deep orange color and moist texture.
· To Par-Cook or Not? Par-cooking ensures the potatoes are tender inside without the outside becoming mushy. For a more traditional, fall-apart texture, you can skip boiling and just bake them raw, but it will take longer (closer to 75-90 minutes).
· Don’t Skip the Basting! This is the secret to a gorgeous, glossy glaze. It allows the syrup to reduce and caramelize onto the potatoes.
· The Sauce is Everything: If your sauce is too thin after baking, you can carefully pour it into a saucepan and simmer it on the stovetop for a few minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency, then pour it back over the potatoes.
· Make it Your Own:
· For a Deeper Flavor: Use dark brown sugar and add a tablespoon of bourbon to the syrup.
· For a Marshmallow Topping: In the last 10 minutes of baking, top the potatoes with mini marshmallows and return to the oven until they are puffed and golden brown.

This dish is a staple for holidays and Sunday dinners, and it’s sure to become a favorite. Enjoy

Conclusion

Congratulations on making this delicious Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes! We hope you and your loved ones enjoyed every bite of this flavorful dish. This recipe is perfect for sharing with family and friends, and we’re confident it will become a regular favorite in your kitchen.

🍽️ Looking for more amazing recipes? Browse through our collection of delicious dishes on YumPost! From quick weeknight dinners to impressive desserts, we have something for every taste and occasion.

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