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Candied Yams Recipe (Sweet, Buttery & Southern-Style)

By Matt Price

Oct 22, 2024, Updated Mar 25, 2026

Candied Yams Recipe by Mr. Make It Happen

Irresistibly Delicious Candied Yams Recipe

This candied yams recipe is the perfect warming comfort food, and nothing says “autumn” quite like a dish of sweet, candied yams. With their rich flavors and inviting aroma, these yams make a delightful addition to any holiday table or family gathering. Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe that takes sweet potatoes to the next level. Let’s get started!

First things first, let’s organize our ingredients and get everything measured properly. This step is called “mise en place” and it aides in your overall efficiency and helps with cleanup.

Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

Start by peeling and chopping your sweet potatoes into uniform chunks, about 1-inch pieces. This will ensure even cooking.

You can cut the sweet potatoes into whatever shape you prefer – today we chose thin rounds. Make sure you get them nice and clean before we start cooking!

Make the Glaze

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the stick of butter. Once melted, add both the brown and white sugars, stirring until dissolved. This is where the magic begins!

Next, add in the shot of bourbon (if using), orange juice and zest, vanilla extract, butter extract, maple extract, ginger paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together until it’s well combined and starts to bubble.

Combine and Cook

Add the cooked sweet potatoes to the saucepan, gently stirring to coat them in the rich, aromatic glaze. Let them simmer in the glaze for about 25-30 minutes, occasionally stirring to ensure they’re evenly coated and absorb all that delicious flavor.

The smaller you cut the potatoes, the faster they will cook. This method, on the stovetop, is great because it saves time and oven space. During the holidays, oven space is at a premium, and this is one technique to help you overcome that challenge. For another crowd-pleaser, check out my prime rib.

Covering the potatoes with a lid will assist with steaming the potatoes and making them tender.  For another crowd-pleaser, check out my best sweet potato pie. Looking for more? Try my 1 holiday ham recipe you’ll ever need. You might also love my 30 minute chicken piccata.

Tips for the Perfect Candied Yams

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the sweet potatoes and glaze a day in advance. Just combine them before serving and warm them up in the oven.

These candied yams are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a delightful way to highlight the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Enjoy the comforting flavors of fall with this scrumptious dish—your taste buds will thank you! If you love this, you'll also enjoy my creme brulee. Looking for more? Try my red beans & rice. Looking for more? Try my this cajun cabbage recipe went viral on tiktok—you'll be obsessed in 5 steps.

Happy cooking! 🍂✨

How to Make the Best Candied Yams

Matt Price

These candied yams are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a delightful way to highlight the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Enjoy the comforting flavors of fall with this scrumptious dish—your taste buds will thank you!

4.50 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Comfort Food, Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Servings 6

Calories 602 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2.5 lbs Sweet Potatoes
• ▢ 1 stick butter unsalted for best flavor
• ▢ 1 cup brown sugar
• ▢ 1 cup white sugar
• ▢ 1 shot bourbon optional; spiced rum works nicely too
• ▢ 1 orange Juice and zest
• ▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon butter extract
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon maple extract
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• ▢ 1-2 teaspoon cinnamon adjust to taste
• ▢ Pinch of nutmeg
• ▢ Pinch of salt

Instructions

 

• Peel and chop your sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch chunks or thin rounds—this helps them cook evenly. Rinse well and set aside. The smaller you cut the pieces, the faster they’ll become tender, but any shape you prefer will work.
• Make the Glaze:
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until smooth and bubbling. Add both the brown and white sugars, stirring until fully dissolved. Once combined, stir in the bourbon (optional), orange juice and zest, vanilla extract, butter extract, maple extract, ginger paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until the glaze is glossy and aromatic, about 2–3 minutes.
• Stovetop Method:
• Add the sweet potatoes directly into the saucepan with the glaze. Gently stir to coat each piece evenly, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan with a lid and let the sweet potatoes simmer in the glaze for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The potatoes should become fork-tender and the glaze thick and syrupy. Once done, remove from heat and let them sit for a few minutes to allow the sauce to cling to the potatoes.
• Oven Version (Alternative Method):
• If you’d rather let the oven do the work, preheat to 375°F (190°C) and lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes evenly in the dish. Prepare the glaze as described above, then pour it evenly over the potatoes, tossing or spooning to coat them well. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Remove the foil, baste the yams with the syrup, and return to the oven uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until the glaze thickens and the edges caramelize. Let cool slightly before serving so the sauce sets beautifully on the potatoes.
• Serve warm and spoon that rich, buttery glaze over the top of each serving.

Notes

Tips for the Perfect Candied Yams

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the sweet potatoes and glaze a day in advance. Just combine them before serving and warm them up in the oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 602kcalCarbohydrates: 110gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 238mgPotassium: 735mgFiber: 6gSugar: 79gVitamin A: 27339IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 1mg

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