Candied Yams with Brown Sugar (Printable)

Tender sweet potatoes glazed with brown sugar butter and warm spices for the perfect holiday side.

# What You Need:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 4 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

→ Syrup

02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/4 cup water
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Garnish

09 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
10 - Mini marshmallows, for topping

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the syrup evenly over the sweet potatoes, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
05 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
06 - Remove foil, gently baste the sweet potatoes with the syrup, and continue baking uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the syrup is bubbling and thickened.
07 - Sprinkle with nuts or mini marshmallows and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden, watching closely to prevent burning.
08 - Let cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The brown sugar butter sauce creates this incredible caramelized coating that makes people go back for seconds
  • These come together with minimal hands on time, leaving you free to focus on the main course
02 -
  • Sweet potatoes vary wildly in size, so try to pick ones that are similar in diameter for even cooking
  • That bubbling sugar syrup is extremely hot, so be extra careful when basting during the second bake
03 -
  • Try swapping maple syrup for half the brown sugar for a deeper more complex flavor
  • Fresh orange zest added to the syrup brightens everything and cuts through the richness
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