A traditional Southern recipe for sweet, tender yams baked in a rich brown sugar and butter glaze, perfect for holiday meals.
Author:Simon Carrington
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:60 min
Total Time:75 min
Yield:8 servings
Category:Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Southern American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
3 lbs yams (or sweet potatoes), peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1 cup miniature marshmallows for topping
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Arrange the sliced yams in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, creating a smooth syrup. Do not boil.
Pour the brown sugar glaze evenly over the yams in the baking dish.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil. If using marshmallows, sprinkle them evenly over the yams.
Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the yams are tender and the glaze is bubbly and slightly thickened. If using marshmallows, bake until they are golden brown.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
If you prefer a softer texture, boil the yam slices for 5 minutes before arranging them in the baking dish.
For a richer flavor, substitute dark brown sugar for light brown sugar.
To make this recipe vegan, replace the butter with a solid vegan butter substitute.