Ingredients
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 c. orange juice
3 tbsp. butter, plus more for pan
1 cinnamon stick
2 tbsp. bourbon (optional)
Pinch nutmeg
Pinch kosher salt
5 medium yams (about 3 lb.)
Preparation
Step 1Preheat oven to 400°. Butter a medium baking dish. Step 2In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, orange juice, butter, cinnamon stick, bourbon if using, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until it has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. When reduced, remove and discard cinnamon stick.Step 3Meanwhile, prep potatoes: Peel potatoes and slice into 1/2" rounds, then layer in prepared baking dish. Pour thickened syrup over potatoes and cover dish with aluminum foil. Step 4Bake 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake about 50 minutes to 1 hour more, basting with sauce every 15 minutes. Step 5Let cool slightly before serving.
What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes? Yams are a starchy root vegetable that taste similar to sweet potatoes, but are usually slightly less sweet. Yams also typically have a rougher skin and a starchier texture than a sweet potato. The two are so similar that they’re often mislabeled in the supermarket (canned yams are often really sweet potatoes) and used interchangeably in recipes, but they are two different things. If you’re looking for candied sweet potatoes, we also have a recipe using that root veg! What exactly are candied yams? Traditionally, a recipe for candied yams calls for par-cooking the yams in boiling water, then dousing in a sugary syrup spiked with warm spices and baking until they’re fully tender. How is our recipe different? We skip the par-boiling step, which does saves you baking time, and instead opt to slice the yams into 1/2" rounds, pour the syrup all over, and bake for a full hour and a half until the yams get meltingly tender. We then continue to baste them while in the oven with the syrup, ensuring they get plenty of sweet flavor. What makes them candied? It’s all about that sugar syrup! We make it in a small saucepan and then pour it over the yams in a baking dish, continually basting with it throughout the baking process. What makes it so delicious: brown sugar, butter, orange juice, a pinch of nutmeg, and a cinnamon stick. If you really want to take this dish to the next level (of course you do!), you’re going to add a hearty splash of bourbon to the syrup for a little kick. It won’t make the dish taste alcoholic, but it will add depth of flavor. Are candied yams a dessert or a side? Candied yams are so sweet they could almost be eaten as dessert (we wont judge!), but, they are typically served as a side dish at the Thanksgiving or holiday meal. We love to add them to our plate full of savory sides and mains — green bean casserole, stuffing, gravy — to balance out the spread. What pairs well with candied yams? The traditional holiday spread, of course. Here are some great options: Roast turkey Roast chicken Glazed ham Sautéed Brussels sprouts Fluffy potato rolls Made this? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
