The Best Baked Candied Yams

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WE LOVE SIDE DISHES!

The holiday season is fast approaching! I don’t know about you all, but preparation is key for me. The side dishes at your next holiday meal could make or break your entire food experience for the day. We all have those people in our families who could use a little bit more help in the kitchen. With that said, send them this delicious and easy recipe! My Baked Candied Yams will have you sneaking a to-go plate before dinner has even started. Take a look and see how you can add this recipe to your list of holiday side dishes.

YAMS OR SWEET POTATOES?

For many of us growing up in the US, we never knew the true definition of what a yam actually was. For candied yams, we actually use sweet potatoes. Over time, the name just stuck. To this day, we continue to use the name. Real yams are totally different.

They are a different type of root vegetable with tree bark like skin, and a starchier flesh. They are used in a lot of Caribbean and African dishes. Since we want more of a sweet taste, we gravitate towards the sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes actually come in several different varieties (i.e. white, purple, etc.). The more widely known sweet potatoes have a reddish skin with an orange colored flesh.

CANDY THE RIGHT WAY

The star of this recipe is and will forever be, the sugar mixture. I use a mixture of white sugar, brown sugar, butter, salt, spices, and fruit juices. This mixture is what the “yams” will be cooking in. Basting is very critical to getting that golden orangish-brown color. Every so often (10 - 15 minutes) the “yams” need to be basted so a new layer of sugar can be added. The sugar then cooks and creates the color and sticky feeling. The hot sugar also aids in making the “yams” tender.  

I’m gonna let you know now that these will be a fan favorite! So, go ahead and make double the amount. They will go faster than you think!

To add some extra flavor, add some bourbon or rum to your sugar mixture. Allow the alcohol to cook off and then proceed with the rest of the steps. Find the instructions in the recipe below. Enjoy them while you can fam!

I’d love to hear your feedback about these Baked Candied Yams! Leave me a message in the comments section below. Remember to share and enjoy! Follow Be Greedy Eats on Pinterest and Instagram as well!

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The Best Baked Candied Yams

Yield: 6 Servings

Author: Aaron Dodson

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 1 H & 35 MTotal time: 1 H & 45 M

Candied Yams are a holiday favorite that will have you crawling back for more! These simple and easy candied yams are tender with just the right amount of sweetness. Give them a try! They won't disappoint.

Ingredients

• 4 - 5 each - medium sized yams or sweet potatoes
• 1 tbsp - cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp - clove
• ½ tsp - nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp - ground ginger
• ½ cup - brown sugar
• ¾ cup - white sugar
• ⅛ tsp - salt
• 2 oz - pineapple juice (optional)
• 2 tbsp - vanilla extract (not imitation)
• 1 tsp - lemon juice
• 6 - 8 tbsp - salted butter

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 415 degrees.
2. Scrub and peel your yams or sweet potatoes. Make sure that all of dirt has been removed.
3. Slice your yams or sweet potatoes. Each slice should be close to ½ of an inch in thickness. The thinner they are, the faster they will cook.
4. Melt your butter on medium heat in a sauce pan.
5. Once fully melted, add your sugars, salt, and pineapple juice. Allow everything to fully liquify. 
6. Remove from heat and add in remaining ingredients. Whisk until fully combined.
7. In a casserole dish or aluminum pan, begin layering your yams or sweet potatoes. Add a layer of your sugar mixture between each layer. 
8. Add the rest of the sugar mixture to the top. Coat the yams or sweet potatoes in as much of the sugar mixture as possible. 
9. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 - 40 minutes.
10. Remove the dish from the oven, and remove the aluminum foil. The yams or sweet potatoes should be partially tender. 
11. Begin basting the yams or sweet potatoes with the sugar mixture. Coat them as much as possible. 
12. Place the dish back into the oven for another 45 minutes to an hour, or until tender. Every 10 - 15 minutes baste the yams or sweet potatoes in the sugar mixture. 
13. Remove from the oven and serve. Enjoy!

Notes:

Bourbon or Rum Flavored Candied Yams:

-Add 1 - 2 oz of bourbon or rum to your sugar mixture.

-Allow the alcohol to cook off.

-Proceed with the remaining steps.

Calories

339

Fat (grams)

14

Sat. Fat (grams)

9

Carbs (grams)

53

Fiber (grams)

2

Net carbs

51

Sugar (grams)

43

Protein (grams)

1

Sodium (milligrams)

167

Cholesterol (grams)

36

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