Description
Caramel Candied Yams are a classic, comforting side dish featuring tender sweet potatoes coated in a rich, buttery caramel sauce infused with warm spices and topped with crunchy pecans. Perfect for holiday dinners or everyday meals, this recipe delivers sweet and savory flavors baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
Caramel Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Sweet Potatoes: Place the sliced sweet potatoes evenly in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and sugars dissolve, about 5 minutes.
- Pour Caramel Over Yams: Carefully pour the hot caramel sauce over the arranged sweet potatoes, spreading it evenly so all slices are coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the yams to steam and become tender while absorbing the caramel flavors.
- Add Pecans and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over the yams, and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and pecans are toasted.
- Serve: Let the candied yams cool slightly before serving to allow the caramel to set and flavors to meld. Enjoy warm as a delightful side dish.
Notes
- To make peeling easier, soak sweet potatoes in warm water before peeling.
- Adjust the amount of pecans or omit them for a nut-free version.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the caramel sauce.
- The yams can be prepared a day ahead and reheated before serving.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water to 2 tablespoons.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
