Perfect Ina Garten Candied Yams Recipe for Sweet Success

Candied yams represent a quintessential southern comfort food that transforms humble sweet potatoes into a decadent culinary experience.

Rich, caramelized flavors dance across your palate with each luxurious bite of this classic side dish.

Warm spices infuse the potatoes with an irresistible depth that makes dinner guests swoon.

Golden brown sugar creates a luscious glaze that clings perfectly to each tender slice.

Creamy textures merge with crisp caramelized edges, promising a symphony of sensations.

Buttery undertones and aromatic spices elevate this simple vegetable into a showstopping accompaniment.

The ultimate holiday side dish promises to steal the spotlight at any gathering: get ready to impress.

Why Ina Garten Candied Yams Are a Holiday Favorite

• Amplify Sweet Flavors: Discover a delightful blend of brown sugar, white sugar, and warm spices that transform ordinary yams into a mouthwatering dessert-like side dish that dances with sweetness.
• Incredibly Easy Cooking Method: Enjoy a foolproof recipe that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor, with simple one-pot cooking that lets you create a professional-quality dish without complex techniques.
• Comfort Food Magic: Experience a classic holiday favorite that brings warmth and nostalgia to your table, with tender yams coated in a rich, glossy syrup that melts in your mouth and comforts the soul.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Appreciate a versatile recipe that can be prepared in advance and kept warm, making it perfect for busy holiday meals or potluck gatherings where timing matters.

Essential Ingredients for Ina Garten Candied Yams

• Sweet Potatoes: Orange-fleshed root vegetable with natural sweetness, choose firm and smooth potatoes without bruises or soft spots.
• Yams: Interchangeable with sweet potatoes, rich in nutrients and provide hearty texture for the dish.

• Brown Sugar, White Sugar: Add deep caramel flavor and create syrupy coating, helps create glossy and rich candied texture.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Warm spices that complement sweet potato's natural sweetness, provide depth and holiday-like aroma.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds complex background flavor and rounds out the sweet notes.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps create smooth, glossy syrup.
• Orange Juice Concentrate: Adds bright citrus undertone and helps create syrupy consistency.

Making Ina Garten Candied Yams the Easy Way

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes
• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Butter
• Orange juice concentrate
• Medium saucepan
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board

Step 2: Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Wash sweet potatoes thoroughly under cool running water. Using a sharp peeler, remove the skin completely. Cut potatoes into uniform half-inch rounds to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

Place all seasonings and liquids into the medium saucepan. Mix brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, vanilla extract, butter, and orange juice concentrate together until well combined.

Step 4: Initial Cooking Process

Add sweet potato rounds into the saucepan. Stir gently to coat each slice with the sugary mixture. Cook over medium-high heat, ensuring every potato piece gets covered in the delicious sauce.

Step 5: Simmer and Soften

Bring the mixture to a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat, cover the saucepan, and let potatoes simmer for 50-60 minutes. Check tenderness with a fork – potatoes should be soft and easily pierced.

Step 6: Create Syrupy Glaze

Remove the lid and continue cooking on medium heat. Stir occasionally, allowing the liquid to reduce and create a thick, glossy syrup that clings to each sweet potato slice.

Step 7: Keep Warm and Serve

Transfer the candied yams to a warm serving dish. If needed, keep in an oven set at 200°F until ready to serve. The result will be a decadent, caramelized side dish bursting with warm, sweet flavors.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten Candied Yams Success

• Select Premium Sweet Potatoes: Choose vibrant, unblemished sweet potatoes with smooth skin and no soft spots for maximum sweetness and rich flavor.
• Master Uniform Cutting: Slice yams precisely with a sharp knife to create consistent half-inch rounds, guaranteeing even caramelization and perfect texture.
• Gauge Cooking Perfection: Pierce yams gently with a fork after initial baking to determine tenderness, allowing extra cooking time if they're not soft and silky.
• Fold Syrup Gently: Use a soft spatula to delicately coat yams while reducing syrup, preventing beautiful slices from breaking or falling apart.
• Preserve Serving Temperature: Rest finished yams in a low-temperature oven around 200°F, maintaining their warmth and preventing moisture loss before bringing to the table.

Storage Pointers for Ina Garten Candied Yams

• Vacuum Seal: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer with specialized bags. Remove excess air completely to prevent freezer burn and maintain the candied yams' original texture and flavor intensity.
• Mason Jar Method: Transfer cooled candied yams into clean glass mason jars with tight-fitting lids. Press down gently to eliminate air pockets, creating an airtight seal that preserves taste and prevents moisture contamination.
• Portioning Technique: Divide leftovers into individual serving sizes before storing. Wrap each portion in heavy-duty aluminum foil, then place in freezer bags to simplify future reheating and minimize potential waste.

Creative Spins on Ina Garten Candied Yams

• Maple Pecan Yams: Swap orange juice concentrate with pure maple syrup and sprinkle chopped pecans on top before serving for a nutty, rich flavor profile.
• Bourbon Spiced Yams: Add a splash of bourbon during cooking for deep, complex warmth and enhance the spice blend with extra ground cloves.
• Coconut Tropical Yams: Replace butter with coconut oil and incorporate shredded coconut as a final garnish for a tropical-inspired sweet potato experience.
• Savory Herb Yams: Reduce sugar quantities and introduce fresh rosemary, thyme, and a touch of sea salt to transform the dish into a more sophisticated side.

Final Plate of Ina Garten Candied Yams

Culinary magic transforms ordinary sweet potatoes into Ina Garten’s legendary candied yams, a signature dish that whispers holiday comfort.

Rich caramelized sugars dance with warm spices, creating a symphony of autumnal flavors.

Orange juice concentrate adds unexpected brightness, while butter ensures silky smooth textures.

Cinnamon and nutmeg weave complex layers of warmth through each tender slice.

Kitchen memories bloom with this classic recipe, connecting generations around festive tables.

Classic comfort calls to eager palates – share this delectable dish, comment with family memories, and spread delicious inspiration across social networks.

Low Carb Keto Apple Crisp Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Keto apple crisp reimagines classic comfort dessert with clever cauliflower substitution and cinnamon-rich almond crumble. Warm spices and buttery topping create guilt-free indulgence perfect for low-carb lifestyles seeking seasonal sweetness without compromising nutrition.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 5 medium zucchini (peeled, diced into 1.3 cm/½-inch pieces, about 6–7 cups)
• 1½ cups (170 grams / 6 ounces) almonds
• ½ cup (115 grams / 4 ounces) unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ½ cup (90 grams) brown monk fruit allulose blend
• ¼ cup (45 grams) brown monk fruit allulose blend
• 1 tablespoon (9 grams) unflavoured gelatin powder
• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters / 3 fluid ounces) lemon juice, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 3 tablespoons (42 grams / 1.5 ounces) unsalted butter (or coconut oil, melted)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C), preparing a warm environment for the zucchini dessert.
2. In a small mixing vessel, combine gelatin powder with of fresh lemon juice, allowing the mixture to soften and bloom.
3. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat, creating a smooth base for the filling’s flavor profile.
4. Incorporate brown sweetener, remaining lemon juice, aromatic spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom), and sea salt into the melted butter, stirring to create a harmonious mixture.
5. Introduce the bloomed gelatin into the pan, whisking thoroughly to ensure complete dissolution and smooth integration.
6. Add diced zucchini to the pan, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer and reducing heat to allow slow cooking for 30-60 minutes.
7. Stir occasionally, monitoring the transformation as zucchini softens and liquid reduces to a thick, pie filling-like consistency.
8. Enhance the mixture with vanilla extract, stirring to distribute the flavor evenly.
9. Transfer the cooked filling into an oval baking dish, preparing for the final layering.
10. Prepare the topping by combining almonds, brown monk fruit allulose blend, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt in a food processor.
11. Pulse the ingredients intermittently, creating a textured, coarse meal with chunky almond pieces for added crunch.
12. Distribute the almond topping evenly across the zucchini filling, ensuring complete coverage.
13. Bake for 20 minutes, watching for bubbling edges and a golden-brown topping that signals perfect doneness.

Notes

• Carefully remove the green zucchini skin to enhance its apple-like transformation and allow spices to penetrate deeply.
• Simmer the filling patiently until moisture disappears, creating a tender, authentic apple pie-like consistency.
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly from the fruit to bring vibrant, natural tartness that closely mimics apple flavors.
• Gently pulse almonds in quick bursts, preserving delightful crunchy bits for an irresistible textural contrast in the topping.
• Allow the crisp to rest after baking, giving the filling time to settle and develop a rich, classic apple dessert quality.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 326
• Sugar: 4.9g
• Sodium: 821.1mg
• Fat: 29.5g
• Saturated Fat: 59.1g
• Carbohydrates: 11.2g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 8.2g
• Cholesterol: 247.2mg