Candied Sweet Potatoes are a classic holiday dish and MUST HAVE on every table! They are easy to make with only 4 ingredients and taste 100 times better than what you get in a can!
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
Did I mention this family recipe is over 100 years old? It's tried and true, candied sweet potatoes are a must have on every holiday table! They are....
- easy to make
- only needs a handful of ingredients
- the candied sweet potatoes turn out tender, sweet and buttery every time!
🛒 Ingredients
- sweet potatoes, light skinned or dark (I prefer the dark only because of the dark orange color of the flesh).
- real butter, not margarine.
- brown sugar - light or dark brown sugar can be used.
- Karo syrup - you can use dark or light syrup.
⏲️ Instructions
- Start by peeling the sweet potatoes.
- Next slice them into thin rounds.
- Boil until fork tender.
- Drain off all the water.
- Now add them to a skillet and top with butter.
- Drizzle in the Karo Syrup.
- Stir in the brown sugar.
- Simmer until the potatoes are golden and glazed.
🙋🏼♀️ Recipe FAQ's
When you're at the store you'll find two different types of sweet potatoes. Golden-skinned potatoes; these will have white/golden flesh on the inside. The other choice will be dark skinned orange potatoes. The flesh is bright orange inside.
Both are actually sweet potatoes and they taste about the same and will work for this recipe. It's more about what your grocery store or market carries.
Not at all! I choose the darker colored potatoes just because when they cook up and caramelize, they look so amazing!
Yes! This recipe can be made three days in advance.
To reheat, remove from the refrigerator, place in an oven proof
dish, cover and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Absolutely! You can make on the stovetop. Place them in a skillet with high sides to avoid drips or a large pot or stovetop casserole dish.
✔️ Tips
- When you boil the potatoes, make sure they are just fork tender as they will continue to cook during the caramelization process.
- You can use light or dark Karo Syrup and light or dark brown sugar. Both are interchangeable.
Expert Tip: You can't rush the process to candy the yams. It takes at least an hour and a half to 1 hour 45 minutes. Continue basting the sweet potatoes every 10-15 minutes. Soon the candied yams will begin to glisten and caramelize!
🍽️ Storage
- Serve – hot and bubbly. Pour the excess syrup over the potatoes in the serve dish. Your guests can spoon the sweet "gravy" on top of their serving!
- Store – allow to cool completely and refrigerate up to three days.
- Freeze – Although most potato dishes don't freeze well, this one does! You can make it several days/weeks in advance. Sealed well, it can be frozen for up to three months, thawed and reheated.
😋 Related Recipes
I love this recipe for candied sweet potatoes! If you want more of my recipes for holiday side dish recipes click here! Additionally if you're a fan of the Instant Pot, this links has 40+ pressure cooker recipes for side dishes!
I would be amiss if I didn't share my favorite side dish which is sweet buttered rutabagas. It's so easy to make and super yummy! Although this recipe for stovetop roasted vegetables is really out of this world and a fan favorite!!
If you love of Brussels sprouts I have several outstanding recipes on the blog - steamed, roasted or pan fried, what's your favorite?
I think I'm as much of a fan of the sides as I am the star of the meal like turkey or ham! It brings back comforting memories of meals shared with loved ones!
When you try these candied yams, be sure and leave a five-star rating below! It’s one of our very favorites and I know you’ll love it too! Also if you snap a picture, be sure and tag me on Instagram at @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover – I’d love to see pictures of your tasty eats!
🍳 Recipe
Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 stick butter
- 1 ½ cups Karo Syrup
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and slice into 1 inch rounds.
- Add to a large pot and boil the sweet potatoes until just fork tender - about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and immediately drain really well.
- Transfer potatoes to a large frypan or electric skillet.
- Add the remaining ingredients, brown sugar, butter & syrup. Turn heat to medium until the butter and brown sugar melts and the mixture is thick and bubbly.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1 ½ hours, basting every 10-15 minutes.
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Notes
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.First published November 2015. Updated November 16, 2020 with better directions and photos to improve reader experience.
Heather
Thank you so much for this recipe Debra! My great aunt used to make candied yams every Thanksgiving & Christmas. They were so good, but she never shared the recipe. She has since passed, so I was so happy to find your recipe, as your recipe is just like how I remember her making them; in a skillet w/ butter, brown sugar, & King’s corn syrup & constantly tending to them. I made them for Christmas dinner yesterday & they tasted just like hers! Thank you again for your recipe so that I can carry on this food tradition w/ my family! I’ll be sure to pass this recipe on to my kids.
Bowl Me Over
That's so cool Heather! Candied yams are so simple, but classic. This recipe has been in our family over a 100 years. I'm so glad to share it with yours and that you enjoyed it so much. You made my day, thank you for sharing!!
Julie Menghini
I love this recipe! We are sweet potato fans and we made this recipe and loved the way all that gooey goodness clung to the recipe!
MICHAELA KENKEL
We had these over the weekend with your glazed pork loin! OMG! SO GOOD! Your recipe site is like a one stop shop for all things we love! Thank you, and keep the recipes coming!
Lois
We just love these sweet potatoes. They are so good and look forward to having them for the holiday season. So tasty. Yum!!!!!
Marilyn
My mom always made this recipe ,but since she passed ,I didn't know.I the measurements..Then I found this and I said "yea".It's cooking right now, but it is n' t thickening. I followed the recipe exactly. What could I have done wrong? I'm definitely not remaking them,For next time ,can you reply. TY.
Bowl Me Over
Good morning Marilyn, Happy Thanksgiving! The sugars will thicken as it cools, just keep spooning the sugary sauce over the sweet potatoes and they will glaze and become sweet and sugary, it will take an hour to an hour and a half. Be patient! They will reheat beautifully.
Liza
Oh, I'm definitely making it for the Thanksgiving potluck! It's SO easy - finally a recipe that's such a no-brainer for busy women! Thanks!
Bowl Me Over
You'll love them Liza - these are Dan's favorite side dish!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Debi @ Life Currents
These look great! And can I just say that I'm really glad you didn't put marshmallows on this. This way it looks awesome!
Bowl Me Over
Never been a fan of marshmallows on my sweet potatoes, I think this is better too!
Platter Talk
These looks so simple to make and wonderful to enjoy! Thanks for this great recipe!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks guys I hope you give this recipe a try! I love these easy sweet potatoes - so delicious!
Kim
I think I “candied” them too much...almost like Carmel as they cool....can I thin out with water? Plan on reheating tomorrow. Otherwise...this is exactly my mom in laws recipe!!!
Bowl Me Over
Kim thin them out with a little butter and Karo Syrup. I think water will make the sugar seize. They reheat beautifully - you have one side dish done!
Tara
This looks like a fantastic recipe, thank you for sharing!!
Bowl Me Over
Family favorite Tara - hope you give it a try!
peter @feedyoursoultoo
The recipe looks tasty and how fun to have the family (your parents) in the kitchen with you.
Bowl Me Over
Love spending time with my folks - family is the best! Thanks for stopping by Peter
Patty Haxton Anderson
So easy and so delicious looking.
Bowl Me Over
Loving those easy recipes!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
These would be such a great addition to any holiday menu! Just shared them on my Facebook page and sending some other foodie love your way! They look delicious!
Bowl Me Over
Awesome, thank you so much for sharing Michelle!
swathi
That is delicious recipe, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
Bowl Me Over
You are very welcome - thanks for stopping by!
Tracy
The Clark household is yamming it up with Mom and Dad -Yay!
You're a natural on camera and the recipes look super easy and delish- perfect combo for guests.
Thanks for sharing
Bowl Me Over
We be yammin' no doubt! :D. Good to hear from you my friend, you are too kind!
Michelle
Ohh ohh, Ken's got the microphone. Recipe looks amazing. Can't wait to try it tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving, Bowl-me-Over and family.
Bowl Me Over
Gosh your comment slipped right by me! Thanks for stopping by Michelle - and yes, Dad definitely enjoyed the morning and I hope you did give these a try - so easy and delicious!