Simple Candied Yams Recipe

It's always a good idea for candied yams! If you are in the mood for a killer side dish, it doesn't have to be Christmas or Thanksgiving to whip up this delightful recipe. Candied yams are incredibly delicious for any and every occasion, and they make a great addition to any protein. If you are a vegetarian, these are filling enough to eat on their own, and you can rest assured knowing that yams have plenty of health benefits. Healthline reported that these yummy veggies are loaded with fiber, manganese, and potassium.

Recipe developer Stephanie Rapone of Pantry to Plate Meals came up with this tasty dish that looks great and tastes even better. When it comes to cooking, Rapone really knows how to do it right, and these candied yams are so flavorful and delicious. "I really like how easy this recipe is to prepare and that it's such a crowd-pleaser," Rapone raves. Keep reading to find out how to make this wonderful side! 

This recipe is pretty simple, and it only requires a few ingredients, meaning it's easy on the wallet — which is always a good thing! When you take your trip to the store, start in the produce section and grab a few large yams. Next, you will need to get some butter and a naval orange.

When you hit up the baking aisle, grab ¼ cup of molasses and some light brown sugar. In addition, you will need kosher salt and ground cinnamon. The last thing you have to purchase is ground ginger. As always, remember to check at home for ingredients that you may have already.

This is one of those recipes that does requires the use of an oven, which means that you will need to turn it on in advance. Turn up the heat up to 350 F. This is always the first step in any recipe requiring a range, since it takes a solid chunk of time for the oven to fully preheat.

While the oven gets nice and toasty, grab a tablespoon of butter, and grease the 9x13-inch baking dish. Then, peel the yams, and rinse them. Slice them into ¼-inch slices, and place them into the baking dish. "Cut a little bit off of one side to create a flat side so it doesn't try to roll away from you," Rapone says of slicing the yams.

Take out a small saucepan, and place it on the stove. Toss in the remaining butter, and crank up the heat to medium-high. Continue heating until the butter melts, and then remove the saucepan from the heat. 

Grab your orange, and wash it before you zest it. "I like the orange, because it adds a bit of brightness to contrast all the sweet and rich flavors from the other ingredients," Rapone says. Then, add it to the melted butter. 

Last but not least, toss in the molasses, light brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Stir well to combine.

Now, take the mixture, and drizzle it over the sliced yams. You can use a spatula to turn the yams over and evenly distribute the butter mixture so everything gets coated. Cover the baking dish with foil, and then pop it in the oven for 45 minutes.

At the 45-minute mark, remove the foil from the dish, and stir again, bringing the yams from the bottom to the top. Pop them back into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the yams are tender. You can test doneness by seeing if a paring knife slides in and out of the yams easily.

Take the yams out of the oven, and let them rest for about 10 minutes before you serve them. "The rest time is a safety issue! The super hot butter and melted sugar is like lava — a guaranteed roof of your mouth burn," Rapone shares.

Rapone also mentions a few serving suggestions, and if your mouth isn't already watering, it will be now. "I love to serve these with a pork tenderloin or other type of roast. They keep in the fridge for a week in an airtight container, and reheat great in the microwave," Rapone says. Cheers to another tasty side!