If you’re craving that warm, cozy feeling only a true Southern classic can bring, then you’re going to love this Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of sweet, buttery, and warmly spiced that will instantly transport you to Sunday dinners and holiday feasts. Trust me, once you try it, these candied yams will earn a permanent spot on your table, and I’ll share all my little tips to make sure you nail it every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced sweetness: The combination of granulated and brown sugar creates a rich, caramel-like syrup without being overpoweringly sweet.
Spices that sing: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves bring that signature soul food warmth and depth to every bite.
Perfectly tender yams: Baking covered then uncovered ensures the sweet potatoes are soft but still hold their shape.
Simple steps with big flavor: You won’t find any fuss here—just straightforward cooking that rewards you with soul-satisfying results.

Southern Candied Yams, Soul Food Yams, Candied Yams Recipe, Sweet Potato Side Dish, Holiday Yams - The image shows a white ceramic baking dish filled with soft cooked sweet potatoes cut into round slices. The sweet potatoes are covered in a glossy dark brown syrupy sauce that pools around them. The slices have a slightly shiny, caramelized surface with some darker roasted spots. The white marbled surface is slightly visible at the edges around the dish. The warm orange and brown colors of the sweet potatoes and syrup stand out clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of these Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) lies in keeping it simple yet flavorful. Each ingredient plays a crucial part in creating that luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture and the unforgettable taste we all crave. When shopping, look for fresh sweet potatoes with firm skins, and don’t skimp on real butter—it makes all the difference.

Southern Candied Yams, Soul Food Yams, Candied Yams Recipe, Sweet Potato Side Dish, Holiday Yams - Flat lay of three medium sweet potatoes with vibrant orange flesh, several thick slices neatly cut to show their smooth, moist texture, a few cubes of pale yellow unsalted butter with soft edges, small mounds of golden granulated sugar and rich dark brown sugar crystals shimmering slightly, warm brown ground cinnamon and reddish-brown ground nutmeg forming gentle piles, a light dusting of finely ground ginger powder in soft beige tones, and a few tiny heaps of deep brown ground cloves, all carefully spaced and naturally scattered with slight overlaps to create depth, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Sweet potatoes: The star of the dish—fresh, firm, and uniform in size sweet potatoes make slicing and baking easier.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness without extra salt, and slicing it into pieces makes melting and caramelizing more even.
Granulated sugar: Provides that classic sweet base that’s bright and clean.
Brown sugar: Packed with molasses, it adds a deep, almost smoky sweetness and moisture.
Cinnamon: The warm spice that pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes and sugar.
Ginger: Gives a subtle zing that wakes up the flavor.
Nutmeg: Adds a tiny hint of nuttiness and earthiness to balance sweetness.
Cloves: Very potent, so a little goes a long way in creating a complex taste.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and spices, enhancing every flavor note.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the syrup with a lovely floral hint that feels luxuriously homey.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

What I love about this Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe is how easily you can adjust it to fit your personal preference or family traditions. Whether you want it a bit spicier, less sweet, or with some added textures—it’s all fair game!

Make it extra citrusy: I sometimes add a splash of fresh orange juice or a bit of zest to the sugar mixture—it brightens up the syrup beautifully!
Maple syrup twist: Swap out half the sugar for maple syrup for a richer, woodsy sweetness that works wonders.
Nutty crunch: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top during the last 10 minutes of baking add a satisfying crunch.
Go vegan: Use a plant-based butter or coconut oil and a natural sweetener like coconut sugar or maple syrup to make it dairy-free.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Yams Like a Pro

I always start by picking my sweet potatoes with care—long, evenly shaped ones are easier to slice uniformly. After washing and peeling, slice them into half-inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking. Pro tip: try to keep your slices consistent so they all cook at the same rate without any mushy or underdone pieces. Then, butter up your 9×13-inch baking dish liberally to keep things from sticking—and trust me, a well-buttered dish helps with flavor and cleanup!

Step 2: Whip Up the Dreamy Sugar-Butter Sauce

On medium heat, melt your butter in a saucepan first, then add granulated and brown sugars along with the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Watch closely and stir until the butter melts and the mixture comes together, but don’t worry if the sugar isn’t fully dissolved—it won’t be, and that’s exactly what you want! The sauce will be syrupy but thick. Finish by stirring in the vanilla extract off the heat, so all those warm aromas stay vibrant.

Step 3: Coat Every Slice in Sweet Goodness

Pour that gorgeous sauce over your sweet potato slices in the baking dish. Here’s the part I don’t skip: I gently stir the yams with a wooden spoon—or even my hands wearing food-safe gloves—to ensure every slice gets coated in that luscious syrup. It takes a little elbow grease but results in no dry spots and every bite soaked in flavor. Then cover the dish tightly with foil and pop it into your preheated 350°F oven.

Step 4: Bake, Toss, and Bake Some More

After 40 minutes, take the foil off and gently toss the yams, moving the slices from bottom to top to soak up all that syrup evenly. This step is a game changer—you’ll end up with tender yams that are uniformly sweet and wonderfully tender, not mushy. Bake uncovered for another 30 to 40 minutes until the yams are fork-tender, but still holding their shape, and the sauce thickens into a glossy, sticky syrup.

Step 5: Let Cool and Serve with Love

Once out of the oven, let the candied yams rest for about 10 minutes—this little pause lets the syrup thicken a bit more and the flavors meld perfectly. Serve with a slotted spoon, making sure to drizzle some of the syrup over each plate. It’s that sticky, buttery sauce that makes every bite sing!

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Pro Tips for Making Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe

Uniform slicing: Take your time cutting the yams evenly; it’s the difference between perfectly tender slices and some being undercooked.
Don’t fully dissolve the sugar: The syrup being thick and gritty at first helps it caramelize beautifully while baking.
Foil cover in first bake: Keeps moisture in, so the sweet potatoes cook through without drying out.
Gentle toss mid-bake: Stirring halfway helps syrup absorb in all layers for wonderfully even sweetness and tenderness.

How to Serve Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe

Southern Candied Yams, Soul Food Yams, Candied Yams Recipe, Sweet Potato Side Dish, Holiday Yams - The image shows a close-up of a white baking dish filled with thick, round slices of sweet potatoes, cooked in a rich, shiny brown glaze that coats each slice with a sticky texture. The sweet potato slices are arranged in a slightly overlapping layer, showing their smooth and glossy surface with a warm orange-brown color. A wooden spoon is partially visible on the right side, scooping some slices, adding a natural wooden texture to the scene. The background and surface are a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with just a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans on top for a little crunch and extra nuttiness. If you want to get fancy, a light drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of whipped butter can elevate it for special occasions. For a fresh contrast, a little finely chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color without overwhelming the flavors.

Side Dishes

Southern candied yams are a dream partner for roasted or fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Whenever I make a big soul food spread, these yams are the sweet heart that balances savory, spicy, and smoky dishes.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I’ve layered the candied yams in a clear glass casserole with toasted marshmallows on top for that classic sweet Southern charm. Another fun idea is to bake them in individual ramekins—perfect for portion control and a pretty presentation when hosting guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers? No problem! I store mine in an airtight container in the fridge and usually find they taste even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to meld. They’ll keep well for up to 5 days, making them perfect for busy weeks or holiday meal preparations.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe, place cooled yams in freezer-safe containers or bags. They freeze well for up to 2 months, just make sure to leave some space for expansion. When thawed, the texture is nearly as good as fresh.

Reheating

To reheat, I usually cover the yams with foil and warm them in a 325°F oven for about 20-25 minutes until heated through. Microwaving works in a pinch but can sometimes dry them out or make the syrup thicker, so the oven is my preferred method for keeping that perfect texture.

FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

Regular russet or white potatoes won’t yield the same flavor or sweetness as sweet potatoes, so I don’t recommend substituting them in this Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe. The natural sugars and texture of sweet potatoes are key for that signature candied yam experience.
Can I prepare Southern Candied Yams ahead of time?

Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic for make-ahead meals. You can assemble everything and refrigerate it uncooked up to two days before baking, or bake it fully and reheat gently before serving. Just cover with foil to prevent drying out.
Why do the sugars in the sauce not fully dissolve?

Because there’s no added liquid like water or juice in the sauce, the sugar remains slightly coarse and the syrup thickens during baking, giving that lovely texture and caramelization that makes this recipe so special.
Can I make this recipe vegan?

Definitely! Simply swap the butter for a plant-based alternative like vegan margarine or coconut oil, and replace sugar with a vegan-friendly sweetener if needed. The flavors will still be rich and comforting.
What’s the best way to tell when yams are done?

The best test is poking one with a fork—it should slide in easily and the yam should be very tender but not falling apart. Also tasting a piece helps you adjust timing if it needs a few more minutes.

Final Thoughts

Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe is more than a side dish to me—it’s a delicious slice of heritage and comfort. Every time I make it, it brings back warm memories of family gatherings and the delicious smells that fill the house. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon, and it becomes one of those dishes that you reach for whenever you want a little soulful sweetness on your plate.