The BEST Candied Yams! Made with a sweet, caramelized sauce and a hint of cayenne pepper… these candied yams make a delicious side dish for any meal and are especially perfect for the holidays!

There are two types of people in the world: the potato lovers and the sweet potato lovers. And I would definitely argue you’re either one or you’re the other.

Personally, I fall in the sweet potato camp. Whether they’re fried, mashed, or roasted, there’s just something about the sweet variety I absolutely love. And these Candied Sweet Potatoes are no exception.

Thickly sliced and swimming in a deliciously sweet, thick, buttery sauce… they’re pretty much the BEST way to do potatoes! And if you ask me, a staple on any good holiday menu.

So what makes them SO delicious? Well… a couple things. First, they’re baked until they literally melt in your mouth. Second, how can you go wrong with a sauce that starts with butter? Third, the combination of spices is spot on. Between the cinnamon, the nutmeg, and the pinch of cayenne, the flavors in these are not only delicious… they’re completely addictive! And guaranteed to be the star of your holiday menu.

Ingredients in Candied Yams

Sweet potatoes – I used 5 medium sized sweet potatoes in this recipe. When choosing sweet potatoes, I like to choose ones that are on the long, narrow side. I also try to find ones that are similar in size and shape to one another.

Butter – I used 1 stick of unsalted butter in this recipe. Butter combines with the brown sugar and orange juice to make a deliciously thick, caramelized sauce. You can also substitute salted butter and omit the salt in the recipe.

Brown sugar – Brown sugar gives the sauce the delicious sweetness you’re looking for in candied yams. I used 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar, which is the best option for this recipe. You can also substitute dark brown sugar or even granulated sugar if you prefer.

Orange juice – Orange juice adds another layer of flavor to the sauce and helps balance out the sweetness of the brown sugar. I used pulp free 100% orange juice.

Spices – A simple combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and an optional pinch of cayenne are all you need to make these candied yams feel like the holidays.

Vanilla – Finally, a splash of vanilla extract gives these candied yams additional warmth and depth of flavor.

How to make Candied Yams

Peel & slice the potatoes – Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then slice them into 1/2 inch pieces. Transfer sliced potatoes into a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Make the sauce – In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and spices. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer and simmer for 10 minute, until mixture has reduced slightly. Pour the sauce over the yams in the baking pan.

Bake & enjoy – Cover with foil, then bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 45 minutes, gently mixing every 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool 5 minutes before serving.

Sweet potatoes vs. Yams

Although the terms sweet potato and yam are often used interchangeably, they’re actually two very different foods. From appearance to flavor to availability, there are a number of characteristics that separate one from the other. For starters, appearance. Sweet potatoes typically have a thin reddish-brown skin and orange flesh, while yams have a rough bark-like skin and pale flesh. They’re also different in flavor, with sweet potatoes having a sweet flavor and yams having a more neutral flavor. 

For those of us who live in the U.S., sweet potatoes are much more commonly available in grocery stores, even though they might be labeled as yams. Yams, on the other hand, are grown in Africa and are much more widely available in African countries or the Caribbean.

Recipe variations

• Cut the sweet potatoes into chunks instead of slices
• Leave the skin on if you prefer
• Sweeten with maple syrup instead of brown sugar (omit or reduce the orange juice)
• Use salted butter instead of unsalted (omit the extra salt in the recipe)
• Add additional spices such as allspice, ginger, or cloves
• Add a splash of bourbon in place of the vanilla extract to finish them off

More potato recipes you’ll love

• Twice Baked Potatoes
• Garlic Herb Hasselback Potatoes
• Roasted Potatoes
• Garlic Herb Cheesy Potatoes
• Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Fries

Candied Yams

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

The BEST Candied Yams! Made with a sweet, caramelized sauce and a hint of cayenne pepper... these candied yams make a delicious side dish for any meal and are especially perfect for the holidays!

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Ingredients

• 5 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

Instructions

1. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then slice them into 1/2 inch pieces. Transfer sliced potatoes into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and spices. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer and simmer for 10 minute, until mixture has reduced slightly. Pour the sauce over the yams in the baking pan.
3. Cover with foil, then bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 45 minutes, gently mixing every 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Recipe variations

• Cut the sweet potatoes into chunks instead of slices
• Leave the skin on if you prefer
• Sweeten with maple syrup instead of brown sugar (omit or reduce the orange juice)
• Use salted butter instead of unsalted (omit the extra salt in the recipe)
• Add additional spices such as allspice, ginger, or cloves
• Add a splash of bourbon in place of the vanilla extract to finish them off