Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite side dish: Candied Yams! With their melt-in-your-mouth texture, rich buttery syrup, and a hint of spice, these yams are pure comfort food magic. Whether you’re planning a holiday feast or just want a cozy treat any time of year, this recipe brings a sweet, nostalgic glow to the table. They’re simple to make yet full of flavor, and that golden marshmallow topping is pure joy for kids and kids-at-heart alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about Candied Yams is how incredibly simple the ingredients are – every component plays an essential role, from the glorious yams to the warming spices and gooey marshmallows. Here’s what you’ll need and why you don’t want to skip a thing:

Yams or Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show; their natural sweetness and orange hue make the base unforgettable.
Unsalted Butter: Brings creaminess and helps blend the sugars and spices into a rich, silky syrup.
Brown Sugar: Adds a deep caramel note that gives the sauce its signature richness.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar and gives the perfect sweet finish to each bite.
Ground Cinnamon: Offers warm, cozy flavor that makes every forkful extra inviting.
Ground Nutmeg: Delivers a subtle, nutty depth that takes things up a notch.
Salt: Just a pinch highlights the sweetness and keeps flavors balanced.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the syrup and adds a luscious aroma.
Water: Helps the syrup come together and soaks into the yams as they bake.
Mini Marshmallows (optional): For the classic, gooey topping that makes these extra irresistible—especially during the holidays!

How to Make Candied Yams

Step 1: Prep and Slice

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and give your 9×13-inch baking dish a quick greasing so nothing sticks. Peel your yams (or sweet potatoes) and slice them into neat ½-inch rounds—the size is perfect for even cooking and a bit of heft in each bite. Layer them evenly in your dish so every piece gets a touch of that glorious syrup later on.

Step 2: Whip Up the Syrup

In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Then whisk in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla extract, and water. Stir the mixture as it comes together and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. You’ll see it thicken and smell absolutely divine—this is the flavor bomb that transforms simple yams into show-stopping Candied Yams.

Step 3: Coat the Yams

Drizzle the warm syrup all over your yams, using a big spoon to make sure every slice gets a proper coating. The goal is to saturate each piece with luscious sweetness so the final bake is perfectly glazed and glossy.

Step 4: Bake Covered

Cover your dish with foil and slide it into the oven for 30 minutes. This traps in the moisture and encourages those yams to steam and soften, soaking up all the buttery goodness you just poured over them.

Step 5: Uncover, Flip, and Continue Baking

After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil and give the yams a gentle stir or flip with a spatula. This helps redistribute the syrup and make sure every piece cooks evenly. Pop them back in the oven, uncovered, for another 20–25 minutes until the slices are fork-tender and the sauce is bubbling and thick.

Step 6: Marshmallow Finale (Optional)

If you’re team marshmallow, this step is pure fun. During the last 5–10 minutes of baking, sprinkle a generous layer of mini marshmallows over the top. Slide the dish back in the oven just until those marshmallows are toasty and golden—the result is a gooey, irresistible finish your family will beg for every single time.

How to Serve Candied Yams

Garnishes

While Candied Yams are already stunning, a sprinkle of toasted pecans or a dusting of extra cinnamon can truly set them apart. For an autumn vibe, add a few fresh thyme leaves—it brings color and a hint of earthiness that pairs beautifully with the sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pair your Candied Yams with the classics: roast turkey, glazed ham, or herby stuffing. They also make a fantastic partner to green beans, collard greens, or tangy cranberry sauce. Their sweet richness balances out savory mains in the most comforting way.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve individual portions of Candied Yams in ramekins for an upscale twist, or use a cast iron skillet for rustic charm. For a potluck or buffet, try layering them in a trifle dish for a pretty, see-through effect! No matter how you present them, those glossy yams and golden marshmallows are sure to steal the spotlight.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (a big “if!”), tuck your Candied Yams in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to four days. They actually taste even better the next day as the flavors have time to mingle and deepen.

Freezing

To freeze, scoop cooled Candied Yams (without marshmallows) into a freezer-safe dish or zip bag. Freeze for up to three months. When the craving strikes, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and refresh with a quick bake, adding marshmallows at the end if desired.

Reheating

Rewarm your Candied Yams in a covered baking dish at 350°F until hot, about 20–25 minutes. If you love that sticky, caramelized top, remove the cover for the last 5 minutes and, if you want, add a fresh layer of marshmallows to toast up beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use regular sweet potatoes instead of yams?

Absolutely! While true yams can be tricky to find in some areas, most grocery stores label orange-fleshed sweet potatoes as yams and they work wonderfully for this Candied Yams recipe.

Do I have to use marshmallows?

Nope, the Candied Yams are delicious with or without marshmallows. If you’re aiming for a classic Southern holiday staple, go for it. Otherwise, enjoy their luscious caramel glaze just as it is!

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, Candied Yams are very make-ahead friendly. You can bake them up to a day in advance and reheat before serving. Just hold off on the marshmallows until the final reheating for that fresh, gooey finish.

Is it necessary to peel the yams?

Peeled yams offer a silkier bite and let the syrup really soak in, but if you like extra fiber and texture, feel free to leave the skins on—just wash and scrub them well first.

Can I substitute maple syrup or honey?

Absolutely, try swapping in maple syrup for part of the brown sugar to add rich, woodsy notes to your Candied Yams. Honey works too, but it lends a different kind of sweetness. Either way, you’ll love the results!

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason Candied Yams have been loved for generations—this dish truly brings family, flavor, and comfort to any table. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just making an ordinary dinner feel special, I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and make it part of your own traditions!

Candied Yams Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the sweet, comforting flavors of these delicious candied yams. Tender sweet potatoes are baked in a rich, buttery, and spiced syrup, creating a side dish that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any cozy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potatoes:

4 medium yams (or sweet potatoes), peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds

Syrup:

½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup water

Topping (Optional):

1 cup mini marshmallows

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare the sweet potatoes: Arrange the sliced yams in the baking dish.
Make the syrup: In a saucepan, melt the butter, then add sugars, spices, vanilla, and water. Simmer until slightly thickened.
Coat the sweet potatoes: Pour the syrup over the yams, covering them well. Bake covered for 30 minutes.
Bake: Uncover, stir the yams, and bake for an additional 20–25 minutes until tender and bubbly.
Add topping: If using marshmallows, sprinkle over the top and bake until golden and melted.

Notes

You can prepare this dish a day ahead and reheat before serving.
For a deeper flavor, consider using maple syrup as a partial substitute for brown sugar.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American