Candied Yams Bourbon Brown Sugar (Print View)

Tender yams glazed with rich brown sugar, bourbon, and warm spices for a comforting side.

# Components:

→ Yams

01 - 4 large yams (approximately 2.5 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch rounds

→ Glaze

02 - 0.5 cup unsalted butter
03 - 0.75 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 0.25 cup pure maple syrup
05 - 0.25 cup bourbon
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 0.25 teaspoon ground ginger
09 - 0.25 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Garnish

11 - 0.25 cup chopped pecans (optional)

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The bourbon doesn't just add flavor—it melts into the brown sugar and creates this glossy caramel that tastes way more impressive than the effort suggests.
  • Your kitchen will smell so good that people will ask what you're making before they even sit down at the table.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, which means one less thing to stress about when you're juggling a dozen dishes.
02 -
  • Don't skip the basting step—turning that foil off and spooning the glaze back over the yams is what creates that gorgeous caramelized exterior and keeps them from drying out.
  • If your bourbon is cheap or you're nervous about it, use extra maple syrup instead—the dish will be sweeter but equally delicious, and nobody will miss what they never tasted.
03 -
  • Buy yams that are similar in size so they cook evenly—it's the kind of small thing that separates good results from great ones.
  • Make the glaze while the oven preheats so you're never standing around waiting, and always pour it warm over the yams to help it distribute evenly.
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