• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Southern Soul

A Southern Soul

Easy Recipes & Entertaining Ideas For Everyday Life

Search
  • Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Comfort Food
    • Crockpot/Slow Cooker
    • Desserts
    • Grilling
    • Main Dish
    • Party Food
    • Salads
    • Side Dish
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Stews
    • Southern Classics
  • Midweek Menu
  • eBook
  • About
  • Shop
Home » Blog » Recipes » Side Dish

Southern Candied Yams

by Donya Mullins 1 Comment This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links.

Candied yams are a classic holiday side dish that’s an outstanding addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but they are also terrific to serve year-round. Sweet potatoes cooked with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices are a family favorite and downright irresistible!

Serving spoon loaded with Southern Candied Yam as a side dish that's perfect for Thanksgi

Candied yams are always on the top of the list when it comes to must-make recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have the best memories of spooning a big helping onto my plate and savoring every sweet, sticky bite. There’s just nothing like soft, buttery sweet potatoes alongside tender green beans and a slice of turkey or ham. It’s downright perfection.

Making this dish for my family is one of the highlights of my day when I cook during the holidays. It makes my heart full knowing I’m sharing something special that my boys will cherish for years.

What You Need To Make This Recipe

  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Brown Sugar
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Ground Nutmeg
  • Butter
  • Vanilla
  • Kosher Salt

Scroll Down For Measurements And Instructions

What’s The Difference Between Yams And Sweet Potatoes?

Even though people call yams sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes yams, there is a difference. Yams are a root vegetable found in Africa and Asia. They have brown, rough skin and white flesh. Sweet potatoes, grown in the Americas, are also root vegetables with smooth skin and orange flesh and are easily found in your local grocery store. Sweet potatoes are much sweeter and creamier, making them perfect for “candied yams.”

How To Make Southern Candied Yam

This is a three-step cooking process that’s super easy to master.

  1. First, scrub and peel the sweet potatoes, then cut them into rounds. Place them in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the potatoes to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and cook until tender on the edges but still firm in the middle.
  2. While the potatoes are cooking, make the sugar mixture in a small saucepan with brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, spices, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Drain the potatoes, put them back in the pot, and pour over the syrup. Gently stir to coat the potatoes. Spoon the potatoes into a baking dish and cook in the oven until soft in the middle and the syrup has caramelized.

What? No marshmallows? It may be a bit controversial, but I don’t use mini marshmallows in my candied yams recipe. But you can! Once the candied yams are done cooking, sprinkle miniature marshmallows over the potatoes and place them under the broiler for a few seconds until browned and melted.

Baked in a white casserole dish, Southern Candied Yams are easy to make with sweet potates, brown sugar, butter and other pantry ingredients.

Often Asked Questions

How Long Does Candied Yam Need To Cook?

Once the potatoes are coated in the sugar syrup, they need to cook in the oven until soft and tender in the middle, which takes about 30 to 35 minutes.

Are Sweet Potatoes Good For You?

Sweet potatoes are loaded with minerals and Vitamins A, B and C, making them a superfood.

How Do You Store Leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

  • Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
  • Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Soup
  • Southern Sweet Potato Pie
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries With Dipping Sauce
Baked in a white casserole dish, Southern Candied Yams are easy to make with sweet potates, brown sugar, butter and other pantry ingredients.
Arrow icon in teal blue for email opt-in.

Ultimate Spring Recipe Guide

FREE Email Bonus: Spring into flavor with delicious seasonal recipes!

Craving More Thanksgiving Classics? Try These:

  • Amazing Scalloped Potatoes
  • Ambrosia Salad
  • Air Fryer Turkey Breast
  • Brown Sugar Mustard Baked Ham
Serving spoon loaded with Southern Candied Yam as a side dish that's perfect for Thanksgi
No ratings yet

Southern Candied Yams

Author: Donya Mullins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Print Pin Rate
Candied yams are a classic holiday side dish that's an outstanding addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but they are also terrific to serve year-round. Sweet potatoes cooked with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices are the star of the show and downright irresistible!

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds peeled sweet potatoes
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees
  • Slice sweet potatoes into rounds and place in a large pot, and cover with water. Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook for approximately 5 minutes until the potatoes are tender on the edges but slightly firm in the middle. Drain the potatoes and place them back in the cooking pot.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, make the sugar syrup by adding the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla and salt to a sauce pan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar has melted, about 5 minutes.
  • Pour the sugar mixture over the sweet potatoes. Gently stir to coat the potatoes, then place them into a baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven and carefully toss in potatoes in the syrup. Return to the oven and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are done and the syrup has caramelized.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.

Notes

For Leftovers:
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.
Serving spoon loaded with Southern Candied Yam as a side dish that's perfect for Thanksgi
Did you make my Southern Candied Yams?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @asouthernsoul, and use the hashtag #asouthernsoul!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating

Want more?

Then grab my Ebook!

1 Week of Family Favorite Menus

 7 menus, 29 recipes, 41 pages, tons of tips!

Ideas, recipes, and strategies to make easy meals loaded with flavor. Each of these recipes is affordable and simple to prepare using common ingredients.

Buy Now
More Info
Arrow icon in teal blue for email opt-in.

Ultimate Spring Recipe Guide

FREE Email Bonus: Spring into flavor with delicious seasonal recipes!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Anna Ebert

    December 17, 2022 at 8:49 pm

    Nice twist for different cooking

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

My New eBook!

1 Week of Family Favorite Menus

Buy Now
More Info

Ultimate Spring Recipe Guide

FREE Email Bonus: Spring into flavor with delicious seasonal recipes!

Trending Now

  • Crock Pot Chicken Thighs in bowl of pot with serving fork.Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
  • Baked Potatoes made in the Air Fryer are tender and fully on the outside with a crispy skin that makes them irresistible. Easy to make, just add your favorite toppings like butter, chives, sour cream, salt and pepper.Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
  • Hot Dogs in buns cooked in the air fryerEasy Air Fryer Hot Dogs
  • Celery stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, BBQs and family gatherings.Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery
  • Warm dip made with spinach and artichokes.Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Award Winning Southern Soul Chili served in a bowl topped with cheese and served with muffins.Award-Winning Southern Soul Chili Recipe
Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recipes by Category

  • Air Fryer
  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Bread
  • Breakfast
  • Comfort Food
  • Crockpot/Slow Cooker
  • Desserts
  • Grilling
  • How To
  • Main Dish
  • Meal Planning
  • Party Food
  • Round Ups
  • Salads
  • Side Dish
  • Snacks
  • Soups & Stews
  • Southern Classics
  • All Recipes

© 2023 · A Southern Soul · Cookie Policy · Privacy Policy