Name: Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 3 lbs sweet potatoes – about 5 medium sweet potatoes; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter – sliced into squares, plus more for greasing the baking dish; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup dark brown sugar – or light brown sugar, packed; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 3 reviews

If you’re on a mission to make Southern comfort truly shine in your kitchen, you’ve got to try my fan-freaking-tastic Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe. This dish is the soul of the South in every bite—rich, sweet, and bursting with warm spices. I’ve made it more times than I can count, whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, or just because yams have a way of making everything feel special. Stick around, and I’ll share all the tips and tricks that make this recipe sing.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Sweetness: Combining granulated and brown sugars gives just the right depth of sweetness without overwhelming the natural yam flavor.
Aromatic Spice Blend: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves give the dish that unmistakable soul food warmth and complexity.
Simple But Effective Technique: Coating each yam slice in the syrup ensures every bite is moist and flavorful, avoiding dry patches or clumping.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Whether you prep ahead or make it same-day, this recipe holds up beautifully and tastes even better after the flavors marinate.

Southern Candied Yams, Soul Food Yams, Sweet Potato Side Dish, Southern Comfort Food, Easy Soul Food Recipes - 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 happens when you pair naturally sweet, sturdy yams with buttery richness and a blend of warm spices that hug your senses. Each ingredient plays a role to create that luscious, syrupy coating everyone loves.

Southern Candied Yams, Soul Food Yams, Sweet Potato Side Dish, Southern Comfort Food, Easy Soul Food Recipes - 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: Choose firm, medium-sized yams that are easier to slice uniformly—longer, thinner potatoes slice more evenly for consistent cooking.
Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness—and more butter equals more silky richness coating each slice.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a glossy syrup without overpowering the yams.
Dark Brown Sugar: Packed with molasses flavor, it deepens the taste and adds that signature caramel note.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves: This spice quartet is the soul of the recipe, bringing warmth and a hint of earthiness.
Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights the yams’ natural flavors.
Vanilla Extract: Just a touch rounds out the syrup with a soft, fragrant finish.

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of this Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe is how easy it is to tweak – I often play with the sugar levels or add a handful of mini marshmallows for a more festive touch. Feel free to make it your own!

Less Sweet Variation: If you prefer something less sugary, simply reduce the granulated sugar by 1/4 cup; I tried this once, and it still had great flavor without being too overpowering.
Spice Adjustments: For extra warmth, increase the cinnamon or nutmeg by a small pinch; it adds cozy vibes perfect for fall nights.
Marshmallow Topping: For a holiday twist, scatter mini marshmallows on top during the last 10 minutes of baking—melty, golden marshmallows add that nostalgic flair!
Orange Zest Boost: Adding a teaspoon of fresh orange zest to the syrup is one of my favorite secret touches for brightening the flavor.

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

Step 1: Prep your Sweet Potatoes with Care

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter—this keeps the yams from sticking and adds flavor. Next, wash, peel, and slice your sweet potatoes into ½-inch thick rounds. I find that even slices are key for cooking them evenly, so take your time here. Place the slices snugly in your buttered dish.

Step 2: Whip up the Syrup Magic

On medium heat, melt butter in a saucepan, then add your granulated and brown sugars, along with all the spices and salt. Stir gently just until the butter melts and ingredients combine—don’t cook too long or the sugar will harden later. Stir in the vanilla once off the heat. The syrup will be thick and grainy, which is exactly what you want.

Step 3: Coat Every Yam Slice

Pour that luscious syrup over your yams in the dish. Then comes the fun (and slightly arm workout): carefully stir everything with a wooden spoon or your hands to make sure each yam slice is fully coated. This step makes all the difference because it prevents dry spots and ensures the syrup soaks in beautifully.

Step 4: Bake and Baste for Perfect Tenderness

Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Afterward, remove the foil and gently toss the yams to rotate them from top to bottom—this helps every slice absorb syrup evenly. Then bake uncovered for another 30–40 minutes, or until tender but not mushy. You want them soft enough to pierce easily with a fork but still holding their shape.

Step 5: Cool Slightly and Serve with Syrup

Once baked, let your Southern Candied Yams cool for about 10 minutes in the pan. Serve with a slotted spoon to leave behind excess syrup, then drizzle some syrup right over each serving for that glossy, sticky finish that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Uniform Slicing Is Key: I learned the hard way that uneven slices cause uneven cooking—try using a mandoline if you have one!
Syrup Consistency Matters: Don’t overcook the sugar in the syrup—you want it thick but not fully dissolved to avoid hard candy spots.
Stir Thoroughly: Using your hands to mix the yams with syrup gives you better control and helps coat every piece evenly.
Test Before Serving: Always fork-test a yam piece before calling it done; if it resists, let it bake a bit longer.

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

Southern Candied Yams, Soul Food Yams, Sweet Potato Side Dish, Southern Comfort Food, Easy Soul Food Recipes - 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 love topping these yams with a sprinkle of chopped pecans for texture, or even a little fresh chopped parsley if I want a hint of color and freshness against all that sweet richness. If you’re feeling festive, mini marshmallows toasted lightly on top are always a crowd-pleaser.

Side Dishes

Southern Candied Yams pair beautifully with classic soul food sides like collard greens, fried chicken, or even a simple, smoky ham. I often serve this with cornbread or creamy macaroni and cheese for a full, comforting meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I sometimes serve yams in individual ramekins for a pretty, personal touch. Another time, I layered them in a clear casserole dish to show off the syrup-soaked slices stacked beautifully—people always ask for seconds when it looks that inviting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Southern Candied Yams keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. I usually store the yams along with some of the syrup to keep them moist, then reheat gently, adding a splash of water or butter if things feel dry.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, I recommend cooling the yams completely, then placing portions in freezer-safe containers. They freeze nicely for up to three months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the yams in a 325°F oven covered with foil to keep moisture in, heating for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwaving works too, but I prefer the oven method because it keeps the texture tender and syrupy without drying out.

FAQs

Can I use regular sweet potatoes instead of yams for this Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe?

Absolutely! In the U.S., what most people call yams are actually sweet potatoes. This recipe works perfectly with any sweet potato variety—just adjust cooking times if yours are thicker or thinner.
Do I need to peel the yams for this recipe?

Peeling is personal preference, but I recommend peeling for the smoothest texture and best syrup absorption. The skin can be a bit tough and doesn’t soak up the syrup well.
Can I prepare Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble and refrigerate the yams unbaked for up to 2 days, then bake fresh when ready. Or bake entirely and reheat before serving—both ways taste fantastic.
Why is my syrup hardening when I pour it over the yams?

This happens if the sugar mixture is cooked too much or cooled too quickly. The syrup should be thick and grainy, not fully dissolved. Pour it quickly over the yams and bake immediately to avoid hard spots.

Final Thoughts

Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe!) Recipe isn’t just a side dish for me—it’s a comfort hug on a plate, a tradition handed down through family gatherings, and the kind of recipe that keeps me coming back to the kitchen. I hope you try it and make it your own, sharing it with the people who warm your heart. Trust me, once you get that first spoonful, you’ll know why it’s a soul food classic. Happy cooking!