Caramel Candied Yams Recipe
If you’re craving a rich, meltingly soft, sweet side dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Caramel Candied Yams Recipe will become your new go-to. The tender sweet potato slices bathed in a luscious caramel sauce made from brown sugar, butter, and warm spices come together in a way that’s both comforting and delightfully indulgent. Each bite offers a balance of sweetness and a hint of spice that perfectly complements holiday meals or any cozy dinner at home. This recipe is surprisingly simple, yet it transforms humble ingredients into an unforgettable treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but each one plays a key role in creating the classic caramelized sweetness and soft texture that make this dish so special. From the natural sweetness of the yams to the spiced caramel sauce, every element counts.
- Sweet potatoes or yams: Peeled and sliced, these form the base and bring natural sweetness and creaminess.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich moisture and buttery flavor.
- Brown sugar: Gives depth and caramel notes to the sauce.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps achieve that perfect syrupy texture.
- Water: Needed to dissolve the sugars and create the right consistency for the caramel sauce.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors with a sweet aromatic hint.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and a comforting spice element.
- Ground nutmeg: Offers subtle complexity to the spice mix.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the other flavors.
- Chopped pecans: Provide a delightful crunch and nutty contrast.
How to Make Caramel Candied Yams Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with butter or a non-stick spray to ensure your yams don’t stick. This simple prep step will save you from any frustrating sticking later and helps your dish turn out perfectly.
Step 2: Arrange the Sweet Potato Slices
Peel and slice the sweet potatoes or yams into 1/2-inch rounds. Lay them out in a single layer in your prepared baking dish so they cook evenly. Making sure the slices aren’t stacked too thick will let the caramel sauce coat every piece beautifully.
Step 3: Make the Caramel Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook this over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a gentle boil and the sugars fully dissolve—about 5 minutes. This step is where your dish really starts to develop that signature rich, caramel flavor.
Step 4: Coat the Yams with Caramel
Pour the hot caramel sauce evenly over the arranged sweet potatoes, making sure every slice is coated. This ensures every bite is lush and coated with syrupy, spiced sweetness that will bake into the yams.
Step 5: Bake Covered
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in your preheated oven. Let the yams bake for 30 minutes; during this time, they will soften perfectly and soak up all that incredible caramel goodness.
Step 6: Add Pecans and Finish Baking
After the initial bake, remove the foil and sprinkle chopped pecans on top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered for another 10-15 minutes. This final step lets the nuts toast slightly and the caramel thicken up while the yams finish cooking through.
How to Serve Caramel Candied Yams Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted pecans adds delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender yams. For a fresh touch, you might scatter a few fresh thyme leaves or a light dusting of cinnamon right before serving.
Side Dishes
The rich sweetness of caramel candied yams pairs wonderfully with savory and herbaceous dishes like roasted turkey, glazed ham, or herby roasted chicken. Try serving alongside green beans or a crisp salad to balance the flavors and textures on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, bake the yams in individual ramekins for elegant single servings. You can also layer caramel candied yams as a centerpiece in a holiday buffet. Drizzle a little extra caramel sauce on top just before serving for added show-stopping appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover Caramel Candied Yams Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This keeps the yams moist and the caramel sauce flavorful, making reheating a breeze for quick meals later in the week.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze the dish, place the completely cooled yams and sauce in a freezer-safe container. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture and taste.
Reheating
Reheat your caramel candied yams gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can cover with foil to prevent drying out, and add extra pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce if desired to refresh the dish.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes for this recipe?
Regular potatoes wouldn’t provide the same natural sweetness or flavor profile that sweet potatoes offer in this caramel candied yams recipe. The texture and caramelization also work best with sweet potatoes or yams.
Is it necessary to use both brown and granulated sugar?
Yes, using both sugars balances the depth of flavor and sweetness. Brown sugar adds richness with molasses notes while granulated sugar helps the caramel sauce achieve the right texture and brightness.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version, substitute unsalted butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil. The caramel flavor will still shine through beautifully, making it suitable for various dietary needs.
What if I don’t have pecans? Can I skip them?
Absolutely! The pecans add a nice crunch and nutty flavor, but if you’re allergic or prefer without nuts, the dish is delicious on its own with the rich, spiced caramel coating the yams.
How can I make this dish less sweet?
To reduce sweetness, use a little less sugar in the caramel sauce and consider adding a pinch more salt or a splash of lemon juice to balance the flavors while maintaining that iconic caramel candied yams taste.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Caramel Candied Yams Recipe; it brings pure comfort and a touch of magic to your table with every spoonful. Whether cooking for a holiday feast or just a cozy night in, this dish turns simple ingredients into an irresistible treat you’ll want to make again and again. I promise, once you try it, it’ll hold a special place in your recipe collection and your heart.
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Caramel Candied Yams Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Caramel Candied Yams recipe features tender sweet potato slices baked in a rich, buttery caramel sauce infused with warm spices and topped with crunchy pecans. A classic holiday side dish perfect for adding a sweet, comforting touch to any meal.
Ingredients
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
Topping
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Sweet Potatoes: Place the peeled and sliced sweet potatoes in a single, even layer inside the prepared baking dish to ensure uniform cooking.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir constantly until the mixture boils and sugars fully dissolve, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Coat Sweet Potatoes with Sauce: Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Gently move the slices to coat each piece well with the sauce.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This softens the sweet potatoes while infusing them with the caramel flavor.
- Add Pecans and Finish Baking: After 30 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the yams, and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the pecans are toasted and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm as a sweet, comforting side dish.
Notes
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or skip nuts entirely for a nut-free option.
- Adjust the spice levels by adding more cinnamon or nutmeg to your taste.
- For a richer caramel flavor, you may brown the butter before mixing the sauce ingredients.
- Make sure to slice the sweet potatoes evenly for consistent cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
