Description
Ina Garten’s classic candied yams combine sweet potatoes with brown sugar and butter for a rich holiday side dish. Southern comfort meets culinary elegance in this simple yet memorable recipe you’ll want to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 medium yams (about 3 lbs / 1.36 kg)
- 3 tbsps butter, plus more for the pan
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tbsps bourbon (optional)
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400°F (204°C) and thoroughly butter a baking dish to prevent adhesion.
- Syrup Creation: In a saucepan, combine granulated sugar, orange juice, melted butter, cinnamon stick, bourbon, nutmeg, and salt. Elevate to a boil, then reduce heat, simmering until the liquid transforms into a slightly viscous elixir. Discard the cinnamon stick after 8-10 minutes of gentle stirring.
- Yam Transformation: Meticulously peel and slice yams into half-inch medallions. Cascade the yam rounds into the prepared dish, then lavishly baptize them with the fragrant syrup. Envelop the dish completely with aluminum foil.
- Baking Ritual: Nestle the covered dish into the heated oven. After 30 minutes, unveil the foil, exposing the yams to direct thermal embrace. Continue baking for 50-60 minutes, intermittently anointing the yams with syrup every 15 minutes to encourage caramelized perfection.
- Finishing Touch: Rescue the dish from the oven and grant the yams a 10-15 minute reprieve, allowing the syrup to set and the temperature to stabilize. Present these glistening, amber-hued delicacies while still radiantly warm.
Notes
- Syrup Precision: Stir occasionally and watch carefully to prevent burning, ensuring the mixture thickens without becoming too sticky or hard.
- Slice Uniformity: Cut yam slices exactly half-inch thick for consistent cooking and beautiful presentation, using a sharp knife for clean edges.
- Basting Technique: Baste every 15 minutes to develop deep caramelization, rotating the dish for even browning and maximum flavor absorption.
- Temperature Control: Let yams rest after baking to allow syrup to set slightly, creating a glossy, sticky coating that enhances overall taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg