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

By Matt Price

Oct 22, 2024, Updated Sep 14, 2026

These Southern candied yams are tender sweet potatoes coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze flavored with fresh orange, warm spices, and an optional splash of bourbon. You can cook them on the stovetop to save oven space or use the included oven method for caramelized edges.

This is the kind of holiday side dish that belongs beside five-cheese baked mac and cheese, seafood dressing, and Southern collard greens. The orange juice keeps the glaze bright while brown sugar, white sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, maple, and butter extracts create the deep candied flavor.

Why This Candied Yams Recipe Works

• Two reliable methods: Make the yams on the stovetop in about 25–30 minutes, or bake them when you want a more hands-off approach.
• Fresh orange flavor: Both the juice and zest balance the sweetness and give the glaze more depth.
• Holiday-friendly: The stovetop method frees up valuable oven space when the rest of the meal is cooking.
• Flexible finish: Cut the sweet potatoes into rounds or evenly sized chunks and add bourbon only if you want it.

Candied Yams Ingredients

You need 2½ pounds of sweet potatoes, one stick of butter, brown sugar, white sugar, one orange, vanilla extract, butter extract, maple extract, ginger paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. One shot of bourbon is optional; spiced rum also works with the orange and warm spices.

Although this dish is traditionally called candied yams, the recipe uses orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. Choose firm potatoes without soft spots and cut them to a similar thickness so they become tender at the same rate.

How to Make Candied Yams on the Stovetop

1. Prepare the sweet potatoes

Peel the sweet potatoes, rinse them well, and cut them into uniform 1-inch chunks or thin rounds. Smaller pieces cook faster, but consistent sizing matters more than the exact shape.

2. Make the orange-brown sugar glaze

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown and white sugars until combined, then add the optional bourbon, orange juice and zest, vanilla, butter extract, maple extract, ginger paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the glaze is glossy and aromatic.

3. Simmer until tender

Add the raw prepared sweet potatoes directly to the glaze and gently stir to coat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender and the glaze is thick and syrupy.

Remove the pan from the heat and let the candied yams rest for a few minutes. The glaze will continue to thicken and cling to the sweet potatoes as it cools slightly.

Oven-Baked Candied Yams

Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the peeled, evenly sliced sweet potatoes in the dish. Make the glaze on the stovetop as described above, then pour it over the potatoes and toss gently to coat.

Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Remove the foil, baste the potatoes with the syrup, and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes. The sauce should thicken and the edges should begin to caramelize.

Tips for the Best Southern Candied Yams

• Cut evenly: Uneven pieces leave some potatoes firm while others turn soft.
• Keep the stovetop heat moderate: A gentle simmer cooks the potatoes without scorching the sugar.
• Stir carefully: Turn the pieces gently so they stay intact as they become tender.
• Adjust the consistency: Let a thin glaze simmer uncovered briefly, or loosen an overly thick glaze with a small splash of orange juice.
• Rest before serving: A short rest helps the buttery syrup set around the potatoes.

What to Serve with Candied Yams

Serve these candied yams with holiday ham or prime rib and your favorite savory sides. For another sweet-potato option with a softer casserole-style texture, try my sweet potato casserole.

Candied Yams FAQs

Are candied yams made from sweet potatoes?

Yes. In many Southern American recipes, the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes sold in grocery stores are commonly called yams. This recipe uses 2½ pounds of sweet potatoes.

How long do candied yams take to cook?

The stovetop method simmers for 25–30 minutes. The oven method takes 35–40 minutes covered plus another 10–15 minutes uncovered. In either method, cook until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

Can I make candied yams with orange juice?

Yes. Fresh orange juice and zest are key parts of this glaze. They balance the brown sugar, white sugar, and butter while complementing the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, and maple flavors.

Can I make candied yams ahead of time?

You can prepare the sweet potatoes and glaze one day ahead, refrigerate them separately, then combine and warm them before serving. For the best texture, avoid overcooking the potatoes during the first preparation.

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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