Description
Creamy Southern yams from Pioneer Woman promise pure comfort in a dish. Rich with buttery marshmallows and warm spices, these slow-cooked sweet potatoes deliver home-style goodness you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Base:
- 6 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) salted butter
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 1 cup (220 grams) packed brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons (11 grams) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Juice of 1 orange
- Chopped walnuts, toasted, for serving
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the sweet potato cubes by thoroughly coating them with cornstarch in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring each piece is evenly and lightly dusted.
- Transfer the cornstarch-coated sweet potato cubes into the slow cooker, arranging them in a uniform layer and strategically placing butter chunks across the surface.
- Enhance the flavor profile by sprinkling brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and a subtle hint of cayenne pepper evenly over the sweet potato cubes.
- Delicately drizzle vanilla extract and freshly squeezed orange juice over the seasoned sweet potatoes, then pour 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) of water and sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt to elevate the overall taste.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and set the temperature to low, allowing the sweet potatoes to gently simmer and develop their rich, complex flavors.
- Periodically stir the sweet potatoes during the 3-hour cooking process to promote even tenderness and prevent any potential sticking or uneven cooking.
- Once the sweet potato cubes reach a perfect tender consistency, gently toss them to ensure they are thoroughly coated with the aromatic cooking liquid.
- Elegantly transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a serving dish, garnishing with toasted walnuts and freshly chopped parsley for a delightful textural and visual contrast.
Notes
- Savor the magic of slow-cooked yams that transform ordinary sweet potatoes into a holiday masterpiece bursting with unexpected flavors.
- Cornstarch works its culinary wizardry by creating a gorgeous caramelized exterior while keeping each chunk remarkably tender and golden.
- Warm spices dance with brown sugar, weaving a comforting sweetness that hugs the earthy yam’s natural richness like a cozy blanket.
- Subtle cayenne pepper sneaks in a gentle heat, playing perfectly against the dish’s sweet undertones and creating a delightful flavor complexity.
- Bright splashes of orange juice and vanilla extract elevate the entire recipe, adding sophisticated layers that make taste buds sing with joy.
- Toasted walnuts scattered across the top provide a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, luxurious sweet potato texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg