Description
A classic holiday side dish featuring tender red garnet yams coated in a rich, buttery maple syrup glaze with warm spices, baked to caramelized perfection and garnished with fresh sage for an aromatic finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Yams
- 3 pounds red garnet yams, peeled and sliced into ½-inch thick rounds (about 3-4 yams)
Glaze
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Garnish
- Flaky salt
- Fresh sage leaves
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or butter to ensure the yams don’t stick during baking.
- Arrange the yams: Place the sliced yam rounds evenly in the prepared baking dish, making sure they lay flat for even cooking.
- Make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter together with the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and kosher salt. Stir frequently until the mixture melts and then bring it to a boil. Let it boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract to finish the glaze.
- Coat the yams: Pour the warm glaze evenly over the yam slices in the baking dish. Toss or gently stir to make sure each slice is well coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Then, stir the yams gently to ensure even cooking and coverage. Continue baking covered for another 20 minutes until the yams are tender.
- Bake uncovered to brown: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes uncovered, allowing the yams to caramelize and brown nicely on top.
- Rest and garnish: Let the candied yams sit for 10 minutes after removing from the oven to set the glaze. Before serving, garnish with flaky salt and fresh sage leaves for a touch of texture and aroma.
Notes
- Use red garnet yams for their natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the brown sugar to ¾ cup.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of chopped pecans before the final baking step.
- Make sure to stir the yams every 20 minutes during baking to prevent sticking and ensure even glazing.
- The fresh sage garnish adds a subtle herbaceous note that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the yams.
