Oven Baked Candied Yams with Caramel Sauce
These Oven Baked Candied Yams with Caramel Sauce are the ultimate holiday side dish — tender sweet potatoes baked in a silky, spiced caramel glaze that thickens beautifully in the oven. A must-make for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing comfort food dish that feels extra special.
Ingredients
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6 sweet potatoes (medium, 1–1.5 lb each), peeled & sliced ¼–½ inch thick
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¾ cup salted butter (or unsalted if preferred)
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2 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
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1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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⅔ cup granulated sugar
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1 ½ cups dark brown sugar (gives the best caramel flavor!)
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1 ½ tablespoons real vanilla extract
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Yams
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel and slice sweet potatoes into ¼–½-inch rounds. Arrange them evenly in a 9×13 baking dish.
2️⃣ Make the Spiced Caramel Glaze
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Simmer 5–8 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and fully smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
3️⃣ Bake – First Round
Pour the glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes. Cover the dish with foil and cut 1-inch vent holes in all four corners.
Bake for 30 minutes.
4️⃣ Flip & Continue Baking
Remove from oven, gently turn the sweet potatoes to ensure they are well-coated. Re-cover with vented foil and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
5️⃣ Caramelize
Remove foil and bake 10–12 minutes more, allowing the caramel sauce to bubble and thicken.
6️⃣ Rest & Serve
Let cool for 10 minutes to allow the sauce to set slightly. Serve warm and enjoy every buttery bite!
Notes
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Use dark brown sugar — its molasses richness creates a deeper caramel flavor.
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Slice evenly for consistent cooking and texture.
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Make ahead friendly: Prepare up to 24 hours ahead and reheat covered at 325°F.
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Add toasted pecans or marshmallows on top for a fun twist!
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If the sauce seems thin right out of the oven — it thickens as it cools, don’t worry!