Candied Yams
Ingredients:
4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds), peeled and sliced into rounds
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the sugars dissolve and the mixture begins to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the syrup evenly over the sweet potatoes, making sure all slices are coated. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and gently stir the yams. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the syrup has thickened into a rich glaze.
Baste the yams with the syrup before serving. Serve warm as a classic Southern holiday side dish, sweet, buttery, and full of comforting flavor.
