Candied Yams | Southern Sweet Potatoes

Can't we all agree?  Candied yams were made for Sunday dinners and holidays!

They are so comforting and delightful and will be such a perfect addition to your Sunday dinner table.  And with the holidays quickly approaching, this will be a necessary recipe to have in your repertoire.  I absolutely LOVE to have a bite of these sweet and cinnamony potatoes when there is also baked macaroni and cheese.  These are almost dessert like and together with savory bites of your holiday spread will be so magical and delicious! Please be forewarned, this is a verrrrry decadent side dish: vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar and butter... with yummy potatoes, baked down and candied into bubbly perfection. The key ingredient is the orange zest – it enhances the spicy cinnamon flavors beautifully! 

So so good! And Super duper easy.  Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:
5-6 Medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
1 Cup White Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Water
1 Stick Butter, divided
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
2 Tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Heaping Tablespoon Orange Zest
Juice of One Orange

{Wash, peel and thinly slice your sweet potatoes.}

{In a medium saucepan, add your white sugar, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, half stick of butter, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla. Cook on medium low heat until it starts to boil.  Reduce the heat and let this simmer for about 7 minutes, until it thickens a bit.}

{Arrange your sliced sweet potatoes in a baking dish with high sides.}

{Pour the cinnamon syrup over the sweet potatoes.}

{Take the remaining half stick of butter, slice it and place on top of the sweet potatoes.}

{Cover tightly with aluminum foil, and place on a baking sheet before putting in the oven.  The syrup may bubble over so to prevent ruining your oven and causing a burnt and sticky mess, be sure to use a baking sheet barrier!}

{Cook in a preheated 375 degree oven for an hour, or until you remove the foil and see that the potatoes are nice and soft and the syrup has thickened and "candied" on the yams.}

{Remove the foil and return the pan to the oven to cook and caramelize for about 15 more minutes.}

{Look at that sweet sticky flavorful goodness.  These potatoes are just bursting with holiday flavor.  When you make these, your kitchen will be engulfed in that unbelievable sweet and spicy aroma.  I absolutely love how the potatoes have kept their shape and aren't mushy.}

{Yummy candied yams and a bite of macaroni and cheese? I can't name a better flavor combo if I tried! :) }

I hope you enjoy these as much as my family does!  Let me know if you make them. :) 

xoxo, thanks for reading!