Southern Baked Candied Yams

Lightly spiced yet sweet, Southern baked candied yams are a delicious side dish expected on the table for a soul food Thanksgiving dinner. 

A real delicacy for soul food enthusiasts, these soft, tender, buttery sweet potatoes are infused with a rich, caramelized syrup that cooks down to a thick, sticky, sweet glaze!

A Southern family favorite for holiday entertaining and family feasts, this baked candied yams recipe has been tested and perfected over generations. 

Southern candied yams in the oven

What are candied yams?

Candied yams are a traditional Southern and soul food holiday side dish made by coating chunks of sweet potatoes (yams) with a sweet glaze and then baking them to perfection. 

With each bite, you’ll experience the smooth texture of fork-tender sweet potatoes smothered in a cinnamon and nutmeg-infused brown sugar glaze.

Ingredients

What ingredients do you need for baked candied yams?

Buttery sweet potatoes slowly baked in a sticky mixture of butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and warm spices—yum! Take a look at the list of flavorful ingredients below. *See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients with measurements.

• Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes are the star ingredients of this recipe. Make sure to buy medium-large sized potatoes that have a firm texture without wrinkles.
• Butter – The butter and sugar mixture provides a rich base for the thick liquid glaze of the candied yams. 
• Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds the perfect caramelized molasses sticky-sweet for the candied yams’ glossy syrup.
• Cinnamon – Cinnamon will add a slightly sweet, spiced, and fragrant taste. 
• Nutmeg – Nutmeg is an all-rounder spice for savory and sweet recipes, thanks to its warm and nutty flavor.
• Clove – Clove has a distinctive flavor that is slightly sweet and bitter. Furthermore, it adds a sense of warmth to the dish.
• Vanilla Extract – Vanilla adds a neutral vanilla-balancing flavor to this candied sweet potato dish.
• Maple Syrup – Maple syrup is the base of the sticky sweet glaze that “candies” the yams!
• Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows are the optional cherry on top – like a final scoop of ice cream to celebrate this African-inspired sweet side dish. Marshmallows also give the candied yams a creamier, softer consistency.

Should you use sweet potatoes or yams?

Although I’ll use the terms sweet potatoes and yams interchangeably for this recipe, sweet potatoes and yams are not the same in texture or taste and should not be swapped one for another. Although the vegetable used in most candied yams recipes in the US is often a sweet potato, African Americans still call this Black origin dish candied yams.

How to bake candied yams

*See the recipe card below for a detailed list of instructions with guided pictures.

There are no complicated steps involved in making these Southern-baked candied yams. All you have to do is:

1. Preheat the oven and grease the baking dish.
2. Wash the sweet potatoes. 
3. Peel and then cut the sweet potatoes into thick round wedges.
4. Soak in a bowl of cool water (6 quarts) to prevent browning.
5. Melt the butter in a medium-sized bowl in the microwave.
6. Add the seasonings and sugar to the melted butter.
7. Stir to mix the ingredients to make the syrup glaze.
8. Drain the sweet potato rounds and add them to the pre-greased baking dish.
9. Pour the syrup glaze over the sweet potatoes.
10. Cover and bake.
11. Optionally, top with mini marshmallows before serving.

Easy enough – the yams do not require boiling or other preparation. And it only takes 30 to 40 minutes in the oven for them to turn nice and tender!

Need a different method?

Try stovetop candied yams or my famous Instant Pot Candied yams recipe!

🎙 Listen to The Soul Food Pod episode: Black Folks Southern Candied Yams

Watch the video to see how to make Southern-baked candied yams step-by-step with key moments.

Do you need to boil yams before baking?

There is no need to boil the potatoes before baking them for this Southern-baked candied yams recipe. The sweet potatoes will soften as they bake in the flavorful syrup.

How do you make yams peel easier?

 I stand by my KitchenAid Classic Y Peeler! You can peel your yams, fruits, and vegetables easily and quickly. 

 Best toppings for Southern candied yams

This candied yam recipe is often finished by topping it with melt-in-the-mouth marshmallows for a heaven-on-a-plate experience! It can also be garnished with chopped pecans or walnuts, like a candied sweet potato casserole recipe.

• Miniature marshmallows – The traditional soul food way for topping a candied yams recipe.
• Raisins – While candied yams do not need texture variations beyond silky, syrupy, and smooth, this is a non-African American but Southern variation for topping candied yams.
• Walnuts or pecans – Another Southern variation for topping yams with an earthy taste and bite.
• Pecan praline – A gourmet-style, fancy addition for topping a Southern candied yams recipe.

Can candied sweet potatoes be made ahead of time?

You can undoubtedly make candied yams ahead of time, especially to prep for busy holidays and events like soul food Sunday dinner,  Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner.

When making ahead, to prevent browning, peel, cut, and refrigerate the sweet potatoes in water in an airtight container. Then, prepare the cinnamon sugar syrup, which should be refrigerated in a separate sealed container. When ready to bake, drain the sweet potatoes and combine all the ingredients by pouring the prepared syrup over the sweet potato slices, then bake.

How long will baked candied yams last in the fridge?

You can store leftover Southern candied sweet potatoes in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-5 days. The sweet glaze will harden a bit in the fridge. But when reheated, it’ll return to its beloved sticky, sweet consistency!

Can you freeze candied yams?

Yes, you can freeze these yummy delights for your subsequent cravings! Ensure the yams have cooled down before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for up to 90 days.

What do you do with leftover baked candied yams?

Leftover yams can be used with leftover turkey, like this leftover pulled turkey recipe that incorporates cranberry sauce and candied yams.

What goes well with candied yams?

Candied yams are integral to many Thanksgiving menu ideas, soul food sides, and Thanksgiving sides. They are also part of a traditional Southern soul food Thanksgiving feast!

They’re also tasty paired with a Southern cabbage recipe or seasoned Brussels sprouts.

What meat goes with candied yams?

From a Southern whole turkey recipe to the Thanksgiving bird, smoked turkey legs, oxtail, or Black folks brown-sugar glazed ham. These meats are classic compliments to many sweet potato recipes.

Did you enjoy this Southern baked easy candied yams recipe?

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