Golden Yam Brownies Recipe

Photo: Uncut Recipes

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Picture this: the classic brownie, but with a twist that's not just out-of-the-box but also around the world. We're talking about a sweet treat that travels across continents, bringing the richness of African yams into the familiar comfort of the all-American brownie. Enter the Golden Yam Brownies!

Our story begins in West Africa, the birthplace of yams. These versatile tubers are celebrated for their natural sweetness and rich, creamy texture that beautifully complements a wide array of dishes. When these sun-kissed beauties traveled across the Atlantic, they found a new home in America, where they quickly became a beloved staple.

Fast forward to today, we're celebrating this international love affair in our kitchen. Our Golden Yam Brownies take the best of both worlds, merging the sweetness of the yams with the delectable richness of a classic brownie. These treats are like love letters between two cultures, telling a story of culinary exploration, fusion, and mutual appreciation.

The real magic happens when the earthy sweetness of the shredded yams meets the rich and creamy brownie batter. As the batter bakes, the yams infuse the brownies with a unique, tender moistness. And as you bite into these treats, you'll experience a delightful burst of flavor that makes every bite a mini-journey across continents.

But, we're not stopping there. We're adding a silky glaze on top, a little nod to the sugary frosting that's so often paired with yams in American cuisine. The glaze not only adds a hint of extra sweetness but also gives the brownies a lovely sheen that makes them all the more irresistible.

In the spirit of exploration and innovation, we invite you to give these Golden Yam Brownies a try. We promise, once you've tasted the remarkable fusion of flavors in these unique treats, your idea of what a brownie can be will never be the same. Enjoy the journey!

JUMP TO:

INGREDIENTS:

Yam: The type of yam used will affect the final taste and texture of the brownies. Opt for fresh yams over canned for better flavor and texture. Look for yams that are firm and devoid of any cuts or blemishes. The skin should be smooth, and there shouldn't be any signs of decay such as mold, soft spots, or a sour smell. When shredding, ensure it's finely shredded to blend well into the batter.

Brown Sugar and White Sugar: This recipe cleverly uses two types of sugar. Brown sugar brings a rich, molasses-like flavor to the brownies, while white sugar contributes to the sweet and crisp top. Always opt for fine-grain sugars as they dissolve better.

MAIN STEPS:

Shredding the Yam: Ensure the yam is finely shredded, this ensures it cooks evenly and also incorporates well into the batter. If the pieces are too large, they might not cook through or distribute evenly, impacting the texture of your brownies.

Creaming Butter and Sugars: This step is crucial for a fluffy and light texture in your brownies. The creaming process aerates the butter and sugars, creating small air pockets that expand during baking for a softer, lighter brownie.

Egg Addition: Adding one egg at a time and beating well after each addition ensures that the egg is fully incorporated and helps to maintain the emulsion in the batter. If eggs are not properly mixed, the batter might split, leading to dense and heavy brownies.

Glazing: Apply the glaze while the brownies are still warm. This allows the glaze to slightly melt and seep into the top layer of the brownies, creating an irresistible, sweet crust once it cools.

Cooling: Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting. This is because they continue to set as they cool. Cutting into them too soon can result in a messy cut and brownies that haven't reached their full texture potential.

SERVED WITH:

Starter: Sweet Potato Soup (USA): This creamy soup made from sweet potatoes, onions, and a blend of spices offers a comforting start to a meal. Its sweet, earthy flavors echo the yam used in the brownies.

Main Course: Roasted Chicken with Honey Glaze (France): A classic dish that features a whole roasted chicken with a sweet and sticky honey glaze. The savory chicken and sweet glaze complement the sweet and savory elements in the yam brownies.

Side Dish: Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts (Canada): These caramelized brussels sprouts have a hint of sweetness from the maple syrup, and their earthy flavors make them a good match for the yam in the brownies.

Dessert: Baked Apple Crisp (USA): A classic American dessert with sweet, spiced apples covered with a crispy oat topping. Its sweet, warm flavors pair well with the yam brownies, and the textural contrast is pleasing.

Second Course: Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze (USA): The sweet and tangy apple cider glaze on these juicy pork chops complements the sweetness of the yam brownies, making for a harmonious pairing.

Cake: Spiced Pumpkin Cake (USA): This moist and flavorful cake, full of autumnal spices, pairs nicely with the yam brownies due to the similar earthy, sweet flavors from the pumpkin and yam.

Drink: Chai Latte (India): This warm, spiced tea-based beverage is creamy and sweet with a hint of spice, making it a comforting companion to the yam brownies.

ALTERNATIVES:

Dessert: Sweet Potato Pie (United States): This traditional Southern dessert shares the sweet potato (or yam) ingredient with our original recipe. The pie has a sweet, creamy filling, spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, and a flaky pie crust.

Dessert: Japanese Sweet Potato Mont Blanc (Japan): This dessert uses the sweet and earthy Japanese sweet potatoes, which are very similar to yams, to make a puree that's piped over a sponge base, imitating a snow-covered mountain.

Main Course: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas (Mexico): Here the sweet potatoes play a savory role, combined with black beans and a spicy enchilada sauce to create a hearty main course.

Dessert: Yam and Coconut Cake (Thailand): A moist and tropical cake where yam is combined with coconut milk and flour, providing a subtly sweet and earthy flavor profile similar to the Golden Yam Brownies.

Snack: Sweet Potato Mochi (Japan): Using sweet potatoes, sugar, and glutinous rice flour, this recipe creates chewy, sweet treats that provide an alternative way to enjoy the flavor of yams in a bite-sized snack.

Dessert: Ube Halaya (Philippines): This dense, sweet dessert is made from ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines. It's very similar to the Golden Yam Brownies, but offers a different visual presentation with its vibrant purple hue.

Side Dish: Candied Yams (United States): This traditional American side dish can be made by roasting yams in a sweet syrup until they are tender and caramelized. It offers a simple, yet flavorful alternative to the brownies.

HISTORY:

The creation of the Golden Yam Brownie is more a testament to a larger culinary trend than the genius of a single innovator. With an increasing push towards wholesome, nutrient-rich ingredients, the fusion of yams—a root vegetable loved for its sweet flavor and health benefits—with the universally beloved brownie was only a matter of time.

Golden Yam Brownies reflect a wider culinary trend of integrating traditional or indigenous ingredients into modern, global recipes. The use of yams, in particular, nods to their significant cultural importance in many African, Asian, and South American cuisines.

Their story is far from ordinary, they mark an intriguing point in the timeline of baking evolution, blending traditional ingredients with modern cooking methods, and creating a whole new flavor profile that elevates the humble brownie to new culinary heights.

Over time, Golden Yam Brownies have grown in popularity, particularly among those seeking healthier or more unusual twists on classic desserts. The presence of yams lends a distinct flavor and texture to the brownies, while also offering nutritional benefits. This adventurous interpretation of the classic brownie has found fans across the globe, and is especially popular among those following plant-based diets.

TIPS:

Roasting the Yams: Instead of using boiled yams, try roasting them in the oven until they are caramelized and soft. This will deepen their flavor and make them naturally sweeter.

Incorporate a Liqueur: Add a splash of a high-quality liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau. The orange notes of these spirits pair wonderfully with yams and will make your brownies truly unique.

Use Alternative Sugars: Consider replacing some of the white sugar with coconut sugar or a rich dark muscovado. This can add a caramel-like depth to your brownies.

Experiment with Spices: Add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to your flour mix. These warm spices pair beautifully with yams and add another layer of flavor.

Change up the Texture: You can fold in some chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruits (like cranberries) into the batter just before baking. This will add an unexpected crunch or chew to your brownies.

Baking Techniques: Use a water bath while baking your brownies. This baking technique results in a more even heat distribution, preventing the edges from cooking faster than the center.

Presentation: Instead of a traditional square cut, use a round cookie cutter to create unique brownie rounds. These look fancier and are perfect for a professional presentation.

Ingredients:

Conversions and Servings: Cups (6 Brownies) Cups (12 Brownies) Cups (18 Brownies) Cups (24 Brownies) Cups (30 Brownies) Cups (36 Brownies) Cups (48 Brownies) Imperial (6 Brownies) Imperial (12 Brownies) Imperial (18 Brownies) Imperial (24 Brownies) Imperial (30 Brownies) Imperial (36 Brownies) Imperial (48 Brownies) Metric (6 Brownies) Metric (12 Brownies) Metric (18 Brownies) Metric (24 Brownies) Metric (30 Brownies) Metric (36 Brownies) Metric (48 Brownies)

Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 175C / 350F.

02 - Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.


03 - In a medium-sized Bowl, sift together the Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt. Set the bowl aside.


04 - Now, in a larger Bowl, cream together the Butter, Brown Sugar, and White Sugar. Use a mixer or spoon to blend these ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

05 - Then, incorporate the Eggs into the creamy mixture. But remember, add them one at a time, beating well after each addition. This method ensures that each Egg is thoroughly blended into the mixture.

06 - After the Eggs are incorporated, stir in the Vanilla. This ingredient adds a wonderful aromatic flavor to your Brownies.


07 - It's time to combine your mixtures. Gradually stir the Flour mixture you prepared earlier in STEP 03 into the Butter and Egg mixture. Stir just enough to blend everything together. Avoid overmixing to maintain a fluffy texture in your brownies.

08 - Now, fold in the Shredded Yam into your Batter.

09 - Take your prepared Batter and spread it evenly across your greased Baking Dish. An even spread will result in uniformly cooked Brownies.

10 - Bake your Batter in your preheated oven for about 30 minutes. To check the doneness, insert a Toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your Brownies are ready.

11 - While the Brownies are baking, you can prepare the glaze. Mix together Confectioners' Sugar, Butter, and Milk in a bowl until you get a smooth consistency.

12 - As soon as your Brownies are out of the oven and while they're still warm, spread the glaze over them. The warmth of the Brownies will make them absorb some of the glaze, giving them an extra sweet touch. Serve your Golden Yam Brownies warm or hot, and enjoy!

Photo: Uncut Recipes

Notes:

Yam Selection and Preparation: This recipe calls for finely shredded yam. It's important to peel the yam before shredding to ensure no skin ends up in the brownies. Using a box grater or a food processor with a shredding attachment can make this process easier. The yam should be raw when shredded, not cooked.

Storing the Brownies: These golden yam brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, they can be refrigerated for up to a week.

Alternative Ingredients: If you'd like to add a bit more flavor to your brownies, consider adding a half teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter. Or for a different twist, replace the yam with sweet potatoes.

Serving Suggestions: These golden yam brownies can be served as a dessert or snack. Pair them with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful treat.

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Written by: Uncut Recipes

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