Southern Baked Candied Yams

Method12 steps · about 1 hr 25 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C.

2. 2

   Step 2: Trim the tips from the washed sweet potatoes (4 large).

   Uses 4 large orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, washed

3. 3

   Step 3: Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into even ½-inch / 1.25 cm circles.

   Uses trimmed sweet potatoes

4. 4

   Step 4: Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes in a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.

   Uses sliced sweet potatoes

5. 5

   Step 5: Melt ½ cup unsalted butter over medium-low heat in a saucepan.

   Uses ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)

6. 6

   Step 6: Stir in 2 cups granulated sugar until combined.

   Uses melted unsalted butter · 2 cups granulated sugar

7. 7

   Step 7: Stir in ¼ cup heavy whipping cream until the mixture is creamy.

   Uses butter-sugar mixture · ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

8. 8

   Step 8: Stir in 2½–3 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, 1–2 pinches ground cloves and 1–1½ tbsp pure maple syrup. Add 1–2 tsp vanilla if desired. Taste the syrup and adjust the spices to your preference.

   Uses creamy syrup base · 2 ½- 3 teaspoons cinnamon (can use less if desired) · ½ teaspoon nutmeg · 1–2 pinches ground cloves · 1–1½ tbsp pure maple syrup (source endpoints; see note) · 1-2 teaspoons real vanilla extract

9. 9

   Step 9: Pour the prepared syrup over the sweet-potato slices.

   Uses arranged sweet-potato slices · prepared spiced candied syrup

10. 10

    Step 10: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes.

    Bake covered · 40 minUses syrup-coated sweet potatoes

11. 11

    Step 11: Uncover, baste with the syrup in the dish and bake for another 20–25 minutes, until fork-tender.

    Bake uncovered · 25 minUses partly baked candied sweet potatoes

12. 12

    Step 12: Lift the candied sweet potatoes from the syrup with a slotted spoon and serve immediately.

    Uses finished candied sweet potatoes