Candied Yams Brown Sugar Butter (Printable Version)

Tender sweet potatoes baked in rich brown sugar butter syrup with warm spices for a perfect holiday side dish.

# What You'll 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes in an even layer in the prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly if necessary.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and combined.
04 - Pour the syrup evenly over the sweet potatoes, ensuring all pieces are well coated with the mixture.
05 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow potatoes to steam and begin softening.
06 - Remove the foil and gently baste the sweet potatoes with the syrup from the bottom of the dish. Continue baking uncovered for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and the syrup is bubbling and thickened.
07 - If desired, sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts and mini marshmallows. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the marshmallows are golden brown and toasted, watching closely to prevent burning.
08 - Let the dish cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the syrup to thicken slightly. Serve warm alongside your favorite holiday main dishes.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The syrup creates this gorgeous glossy coating that makes every bite feel like a special occasion
  • They reheat beautifully so you can make them ahead of actual holiday chaos
02 -
  • Don't skip the basting step when you remove the foil because that second round of syrup is what makes them truly candied
  • The syrup thickens as it cools so serve these while they are still warm for the best texture
03 -
  • Use a mandoline if you have one for perfectly even slices
  • Let the dish rest 5 minutes before serving so the syrup sets slightly
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