Candied Yams Bourbon Brown Sugar (Printable Version)

Tender yams glazed in bourbon and brown sugar with warm spices, a comforting Southern side dish.

# What You Need:

→ Yams

01 - 4 large yams (about 2½ lbs), peeled and cut into 1-inch rounds

→ Glaze

02 - ½ cup unsalted butter
03 - ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - ¼ cup pure maple syrup
05 - ¼ cup bourbon
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
09 - ¼ teaspoon salt
10 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Garnish

11 - ¼ cup chopped pecans

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange yam rounds evenly in the prepared baking dish.
02 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
03 - Pour the glaze evenly over the yams, tossing gently to coat all pieces.
04 - Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
05 - Remove foil, baste yams with the glaze, and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, or until yams are tender and caramelized.
06 - If desired, sprinkle with chopped pecans before serving.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • Deep, layered flavor: Bourbon, maple syrup, and brown sugar create a glaze that is rich, complex, and utterly irresistible.
  • Simple preparation: With just 15 minutes of prep and straightforward steps, this dish is rated Easy — perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
  • Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian: A crowd-pleasing side that suits a wide range of dietary needs without sacrificing indulgence.
  • Beautiful presentation: The caramelized glaze and optional pecan topping make this dish as stunning to look at as it is delicious to eat.
  • Make-ahead friendly: The glaze can be prepared in advance, saving you valuable time on busy holiday cooking days.
02 -
  • Cut evenly: Slice yam rounds to a consistent 1-inch thickness so they cook at the same rate and caramelize evenly.
  • Baste generously: When you remove the foil at the 25-minute mark, spoon the pooled glaze back over the yams thoroughly — this is what creates that gorgeous caramelized finish.
  • Don't skip the foil step: Baking covered first ensures the yams become tender all the way through before the glaze begins to reduce and thicken.
  • Make the glaze ahead: The bourbon-brown sugar glaze can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Gently reheat before pouring over the yams.
  • Check labels: Always verify that your bourbon and other packaged ingredients are free from hidden allergens, especially if serving guests with dietary restrictions.
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