Candied Yams Sweet Potatoes (Printable)

Sweet potatoes baked with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices for a rich holiday side.

# What You Need:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 4 large sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), 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 (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Place sliced sweet potatoes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the syrup evenly over the sweet potatoes, ensuring thorough coating.
05 - Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
06 - Remove foil, baste sweet potatoes gently with syrup, then bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until tender and syrup thickens.
07 - Optionally, sprinkle nuts or mini marshmallows on top and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
08 - Allow to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The syrup caramelizes into pure golden comfort while the potatoes stay tender and sweet.
  • It's impressive enough for a holiday table but simple enough that you won't stress about timing.
  • Your kitchen will smell so good that people will show up early just to investigate.
02 -
  • Don't skip the foil step—uncovered from the start and your potatoes dry out before they soften.
  • The syrup needs those 15 minutes uncovered to actually thicken; it'll look thin and watery halfway through, and that's normal.
  • If you're adding marshmallows, have your oven door cracked open while they broil so you can pull them out the instant they turn golden.
03 -
  • If your syrup seems too thick while baking, add a tablespoon of water; if it's too thin when you remove the foil, give it those last 15 minutes uncovered and it'll set up perfectly.
  • Brown sugar hardens and clumps, so break it up with your fingers as you measure and pack it lightly—a solid brick of sugar won't dissolve smoothly into the butter.
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