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Candied Yams Recipe by Mr. Make It Happen
Irresistibly Delicious Candied Yams Recipe
Fall is the perfect time for 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.
Mr. Make It Happen
Japanese Steel Chef Knife
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.
Covering the potatoes with a lid will assist with steaming the potatoes and making them tender.
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!
Happy cooking! 🍂✨
Candied Yams
Ingredients
- * 2.5 lbs Sweet Potatoes
- * 1 stick of butter, unsalted for best flavor
- * 1 cup brown sugar
- * 1 cup white sugar
- * 1 shot of bourbon, optional; spiced rum works nicely too
- * Juice and zest of 1 orange
- * 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- * 1/4 tsp butter extract
- * 1/4 tsp maple extract
- * 1 tsp ginger paste
- * 1-2 tsp cinnamon, adjust to taste
- * Pinch of nutmeg
- * Pinch of salt
Instructions
Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
- Start by peeling and chopping your sweet potatoes into uniform chunks, about 1-inch pieces. This will ensure even cooking. The smaller you cut the potatoes, the faster they will cook.
- You can really 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 (optional), 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.
- Covering the potatoes with a lid will assist with steaming the potatoes and making them tender.
Notes
- 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.
Looks great and delicious. I’m going to try it. Have a blessed holiday season. ( For those like myself who don’t drink, what does a ‘shot’, measurement-wise amount to?)
A shot glass worth, so 1.5 oz or 3 tbsp. 🙂