Comforting Candied Yams Recipe Easy Homemade Brown Sugar and Warm Spices
A cozy, easy-to-make candied yams recipe featuring brown sugar and warm spices that delivers nostalgic comfort with a sticky, glossy finish. Perfect for holidays or any time you want a sweet, spicy side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) packed brown sugar (preferably dark brown sugar)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) pure maple syrup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Zest of one medium orange (optional)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel and slice the yams into roughly 1/2-inch thick rounds, keeping slices uniform.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, sea salt, orange zest, and water until smooth and well combined.
- Place the yam slices in a 9×13-inch baking dish in a single layer, allowing slight overlap.
- Pour the brown sugar glaze evenly over the yams and gently toss to coat each slice without breaking them.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to steam the yams gently.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes to caramelize the glaze, watching closely to prevent burning. Tent with foil if edges brown too fast.
- Check doneness by piercing a slice with a fork; yams should be tender but not mushy.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the glaze to thicken.
Notes
Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free/vegan option and swap maple syrup with honey if preferred. Keep yam slices uniform for even cooking. Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy texture. Adding orange zest brightens the dish. For reheating, warm in oven at 300°F for 10 minutes covered with foil to maintain glaze texture. Avoid microwaving to keep caramelization intact.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup (125 g
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 1
Keywords: candied yams, brown sugar yams, sweet potato side dish, holiday side dish, easy candied yams, warm spices, cinnamon yams, Thanksgiving side