Best 6 Great Grandmas Candied Yams Recipes

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In the realm of culinary nostalgia, few dishes evoke the warmth and comfort of great grandma's candied yams. This classic Southern side dish, passed down through generations, holds a special place in the hearts of many. Whether it's the holidays or a regular family gathering, the sweet, caramelized flavor of candied yams adds a touch of magic to any meal. This article delves into the secrets of creating the perfect candied yams, paying homage to the tradition and techniques that have made this dish a beloved classic.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

GREAT-GRANDMA'S CANDIED YAMS



Great-Grandma's Candied Yams image

This is my great-grandma's candied yams recipe. I started making them a few years ago, now everyone asks for them every year. The secret I think is in the orange juice and slow cooking.

Provided by MARAH

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Sweet Potatoes

Time 4h15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 medium yams, peeled and cubed
½ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
1 cup orange juice, or as needed
1 cup miniature marshmallows, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add yams and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse twice with cold water. Soak in cold water for 15 minutes.
  • While yams are soaking, preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
  • Mix white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a small bowl.
  • Peel and cut yams into chunks and place in a large baking dish. Dot with butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture so all yams are coated. Carefully pour enough orange juice into the bottom of baking dish to measure 1/2 inch.
  • Bake in the preheated oven, basting often, until yams are tender and the liquid is thick and sticky, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Sprinkle with mini marshmallows. Turn on the oven's broiler. Broil until marshmallows are melted and toasty, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.3 calories, Carbohydrate 73.4 g, Cholesterol 11.4 mg, Fat 4.7 g, Fiber 8.5 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 54.7 mg, Sugar 17.1 g

GRANDMA'S CANDIED YAMS



Grandma's Candied Yams image

Provided by Kardea Brown

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 large yams
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup canned pineapple juice
2 1/2 to 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch of ground cloves
1/2 cup strawberry preserves

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Cut off the ends of the yams, then peel and cut the yams into 1/2-inch-thick circles. Add to a 2-quart baking dish. Set aside.
  • In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until thoroughly blended. Stir in the pineapple juice, cinnamon, vanilla and cloves. Taste the mixture to make sure it's sweet to your liking and pour over the yams. Spread the strawberry preserves on top of the yams.
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake until the yams are semi-tender, about 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the yams are caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes more.
  • Plate and serve hot. And don't forget to pour the sauce from the baking dish on top!

MY GRANDMA'S CANDIED YAMS WITH PINEAPPLE



My Grandma's Candied Yams with Pineapple image

Grandma was always in charge of Thanksgiving dinner in my family. This is my variation on her candied yams (sweet potatoes), and they are the best!

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
One 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the sweet potatoes in a 2-quart baking dish. Set aside.
  • In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the sugar and stir until smooth. Drain the pineapple in a strainer, reserving the juice. Stir in about half the pineapple and half the pineapple juice; reserve the rest of the pineapple and juice for another use. Stir in the cinnamon, cloves and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Pour the mixture directly over the sweet potatoes.
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake until the sweet potatoes are just tender, about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the sweet potatoes are caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes more.
  • Plate and serve immediately. Pour extra sauce from the bottom of the baking dish on top.

OLD FASHIONED CANDIED YAMS



Old Fashioned Candied Yams image

Make and share this Old Fashioned Candied Yams recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Luby Luby Luby

Categories     Yam/Sweet Potato

Time 2h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

8 medium sweet potatoes, baked,peeled and sliced in half lengthwise
2 1/2 cups water
1 1/3 cups packed dark brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients except sweet potatoes in 2 quart saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil stirring occasionally.
  • Reduce heat and simmer about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Place sliced sweet potatoes in an ungreased 9x13 dish in a single layer cut side up.
  • Pour syrup over potatoes coating all pieces.
  • Bake at 400 degrees until bubbly about 45 minutes basting every 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 305.2, Fat 5.8, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 134.8, Carbohydrate 62.5, Fiber 4.2, Sugar 41, Protein 2.2

MOM'S CANDIED YAMS



Mom's Candied Yams image

My mom never wrote this recipe down and I call my favorite every year for the recipe! Of course she never wrote it down either!!! This is one of those recipes that takes me back when I taste it. I'm going to do my best to write what my "Aunt Poddy" tells me every year, using the amounts as best as I can, but I will still call her every year just to have her walk me through it!!!! My brother got to taste them this year and he said it was just like mom's, so maybe I'm getting it right!!!

Provided by For JTs Grandma

Categories     Yam/Sweet Potato

Time 45m

Yield 1 pan, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (29 ounce) can sweet potatoes (save the liquid)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2/3 cup light Karo syrup
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
10 -15 large marshmallows

Steps:

  • Place sweet potatoes in casserole dish, single layer.
  • Using liquid from potatoes, mix in sugar, syrup, butter, cinnamon, orange juice and lemon.
  • Stir over medium heat until it starts to thicken, about 15 minutes.
  • Pour over potatoes, then sprinkle a bit more cinnamon over top.
  • Cover and bake in 350 oven for about 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Top with marshmellows and broil until brown. Watch constantly as this takes only a few minutes!

KEYSHAWN'S MOM'S CANDIED YAMS



Keyshawn's Mom's Candied Yams image

I was looking for a sweet potato dish that was quick and easy to do for Thanksgiving, as well as, a recipe that did not require oven space or time. Lucky for me, a colleague from work, gave me this recipe from www.foodtv.com. It was exactly what I was looking for.

Provided by Cristina Barry

Categories     Yam/Sweet Potato

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 lbs sweet potatoes (approx 3) or 3 lbs yams (approx 3)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, 2 sticks

Steps:

  • Peel potatoes and cut into 2 inch cubes.
  • Place potatoes in large pot, cover with sugar, brown sugar and butter cook over medium heat until potatoes are for tender (approx 20 mins) but not mushy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1102.2, Fat 46.2, SaturatedFat 29.2, Cholesterol 122, Sodium 209.4, Carbohydrate 172.5, Fiber 10.2, Sugar 117.5, Protein 5.9

Tips:

  • Select the right type of yams: Choose firm and plump yams with smooth skin. Avoid any that are bruised or have cuts.
  • Boil the yams until tender: Pierce the yams with a fork to check for doneness. If the fork slides in easily, they are ready.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan for the glaze: This will help to prevent the glaze from scorching.
  • Bring the glaze to a boil, then reduce the heat to low: Simmer the glaze for 15-20 minutes, or until it has thickened.
  • Add the yams to the glaze and coat them evenly: Use a spoon to gently stir the yams so that they are all coated with the glaze.
  • Bake the yams in the preheated oven until they are caramelized: This will take about 30 minutes.
  • Serve the yams warm: They can be served as a side dish or as a dessert.

Conclusion:

Candied yams are a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that is perfect for any occasion. They are a great way to use up leftover yams, and they can also be made ahead of time. With their sweet and sticky glaze, candied yams are sure to be a hit with everyone at your table.

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