Candied Yams – The Ultimate Sweet & Buttery Holiday Side Dish

🎉 Introduction

Few dishes capture the magic of the holidays quite like Candied Yams. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture, caramelized sweetness, and buttery glaze, they’re a beloved classic on both Thanksgiving and Christmas tables.

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This dish transforms humble sweet potatoes (or yams) into a dessert-like side that pairs beautifully with savory mains — whether it’s roasted chicken, turkey, or even a hearty vegetarian loaf. The combination of brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and a touch of vanilla creates a rich, syrupy coating that’s simply irresistible.

The best part? It’s easy to make, family-friendly, and uses simple pantry ingredients. Each bite delivers that nostalgic holiday flavor — warm, buttery, sweet, and spiced with just the right touch of comfort.

These Candied Yams aren’t just food — they’re tradition. Passed down through generations and served with love, this recipe keeps that festive spirit alive with every golden, glazed forkful.

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🧰 Equipment Needed

You’ll need just a few kitchen essentials to make perfect candied yams:

• 1 large pot (for parboiling the yams)
• 1 9×13-inch baking dish
• 1 saucepan (for making the syrup)
• 1 wooden spoon or spatula
• 1 peeler and knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Aluminum foil (for baking cover)

🛒 Ingredients

🍠 Main Ingredients

• 4 large yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark, depending on preference)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup water (or orange juice for a fruity twist)

🍯 Optional Additions

• 1 cup mini marshmallows (for topping)
• ½ cup chopped pecans (for crunch)
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (for deeper sweetness)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease your baking dish lightly with butter or oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Parboil the Yams

1. Place the peeled and sliced yams into a large pot and cover with water.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 8–10 minutes, just until slightly tender — not mushy.
3. Drain carefully and set aside to cool slightly.

💡 Tip: Parboiling helps soften the yams and allows them to absorb the syrup more evenly when baked.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Syrup

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water (or orange juice).
3. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns into a smooth, glossy syrup.
4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 4: Assemble the Dish

1. Arrange the parboiled yam slices evenly in the baking dish.
2. Pour the hot syrup over the yams, coating each layer evenly.
3. Gently toss or spoon the sauce to ensure all slices are covered.

💡 Tip: The syrup will thicken beautifully while baking, creating a luscious glaze.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

1. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
2. Remove the foil, baste the yams with the syrup, and bake uncovered for another 20–25 minutes, until the yams are tender and the sauce is thick and bubbling.
3. If desired, sprinkle mini marshmallows or pecans on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a classic holiday finish.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let your Candied Yams rest for about 10 minutes before serving — this allows the syrup to thicken and cling to the yams perfectly.

Serve warm as a side dish to any holiday feast, and watch it disappear fast!

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8 people
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This is a make-ahead friendly dish — perfect for busy holiday kitchens.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Keep those leftovers tasting just as sweet and buttery as day one:

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze baked yams (without marshmallows) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
• Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes.

💡 Tip: Add a splash of water or butter before reheating to revive the sauce.

🥄 Variations

Want to customize your candied yams? Try one of these creative twists:

• Maple Brown Sugar Yams: Replace half the brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a richer flavor.
• Honey-Glazed Yams: Use honey instead of granulated sugar for a floral sweetness.
• Orange-Spiced Yams: Add 1 tsp orange zest and use orange juice for a citrusy twist.
• Nutty Delight: Sprinkle pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top for texture and crunch.
• Spiced Holiday Version: Add a pinch of clove or ginger for that festive touch.
• Vegan Version: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine for a dairy-free option.
• Mini Marshmallow Topping: For that nostalgic Thanksgiving vibe, add a marshmallow topping and broil briefly for a toasted finish.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?
Most “yams” sold in the U.S. are actually sweet potatoes — either orange or golden-fleshed. True yams are starchier and harder to find.

2. Can I use canned yams?
Yes! Drain them well and skip the parboiling step. Reduce baking time by about 15 minutes.

3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely. Prepare and bake a day ahead, then reheat before serving.

4. How do I make them less sweet?
Reduce the sugar by ¼ cup and add a bit more salt or cinnamon to balance the flavor.

5. Can I make this vegan?
Yes — substitute butter with plant-based butter or coconut oil.

6. Can I add marshmallows?
Absolutely. Add them during the last 10 minutes of baking for a gooey, toasted topping.

7. How can I thicken the syrup more?
Simmer the sauce for an extra minute before pouring over the yams.

8. Can I use white sugar only?
You can, but brown sugar gives a richer caramel flavor that makes this dish shine.

9. What proteins pair best with candied yams?
They go perfectly with roast chicken, turkey, grilled beef, or baked salmon.

10. Can I store leftovers with marshmallows?
Yes — just reheat gently to avoid burning the marshmallows.

🏁 Conclusion

These Candied Yams are a timeless classic that never fails to impress. The tender, caramelized sweet potatoes bathed in buttery brown sugar syrup make every bite a celebration of flavor and comfort.

Whether you’re serving them at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy dinner, they bring warmth and nostalgia to your table. The glossy glaze, soft texture, and heavenly aroma remind us of family gatherings, laughter, and love shared over delicious food.

Simple, budget-friendly, and endlessly satisfying — this recipe is proof that the best dishes are often the ones made with heart and humble ingredients. Once you make it, you’ll never go back to canned yams again.

Adam

Candied Yams – The Ultimate Sweet & Buttery Holiday Side Dish

Few dishes capture the magic of the holidays quite like Candied Yams. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture, caramelized sweetness, and buttery glaze, they’re a beloved classic on both Thanksgiving and Christmas tables. This dish transforms humble sweet potatoes (or yams) into a dessert-like side that pairs beautifully with savory mains — whether it’s roasted chicken, turkey, or even a hearty vegetarian loaf. The combination of brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and a touch of vanilla creates a rich, syrupy coating that’s simply irresistible. The best part? It’s easy to make, family-friendly, and uses simple pantry ingredients. Each bite delivers that nostalgic holiday flavor — warm, buttery, sweet, and spiced with just the right touch of comfort. These Candied Yams aren’t just food — they’re tradition. Passed down through generations and served with love, this recipe keeps that festive spirit alive with every golden, glazed forkful.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

🍠 Main Ingredients

• 4 large yams or sweet potatoes peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar light or dark, depending on preference
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup water or orange juice for a fruity twist

🍯 Optional Additions

• 1 cup mini marshmallows for topping
• ½ cup chopped pecans for crunch
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup for deeper sweetness

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Equipment

• You’ll need just a few kitchen essentials to make perfect candied yams:
• 1 large pot (for parboiling the yams)
• 1 9×13-inch baking dish
• 1 saucepan (for making the syrup)
• 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
• 1 Peeler and knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Aluminum foil (for baking cover)

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease your baking dish lightly with butter or oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Parboil the Yams

1. Place the peeled and sliced yams into a large pot and cover with water.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 8–10 minutes, just until slightly tender — not mushy.
3. Drain carefully and set aside to cool slightly.

💡 Tip: Parboiling helps soften the yams and allows them to absorb the syrup more evenly when baked.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Syrup

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water (or orange juice).
3. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns into a smooth, glossy syrup.
4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 4: Assemble the Dish

1. Arrange the parboiled yam slices evenly in the baking dish.
2. Pour the hot syrup over the yams, coating each layer evenly.
3. Gently toss or spoon the sauce to ensure all slices are covered.

💡 Tip: The syrup will thicken beautifully while baking, creating a luscious glaze.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

1. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
2. Remove the foil, baste the yams with the syrup, and bake uncovered for another 20–25 minutes, until the yams are tender and the sauce is thick and bubbling.
3. If desired, sprinkle mini marshmallows or pecans on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a classic holiday finish.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

1. Let your Candied Yams rest for about 10 minutes before serving — this allows the syrup to thicken and cling to the yams perfectly.
2. Serve warm as a side dish to any holiday feast, and watch it disappear fast!

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Keep those leftovers tasting just as sweet and buttery as day one:

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Freeze baked yams (without marshmallows) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes.

💡 Tip: Add a splash of water or butter before reheating to revive the sauce.

🥄 Variations

Want to customize your candied yams? Try one of these creative twists:

Maple Brown Sugar Yams: Replace half the brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a richer flavor.

Honey-Glazed Yams: Use honey instead of granulated sugar for a floral sweetness.

Orange-Spiced Yams: Add 1 tsp orange zest and use orange juice for a citrusy twist.

Nutty Delight: Sprinkle pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top for texture and crunch.

Spiced Holiday Version: Add a pinch of clove or ginger for that festive touch.

Vegan Version: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine for a dairy-free option.

Mini Marshmallow Topping: For that nostalgic Thanksgiving vibe, add a marshmallow topping and broil briefly for a toasted finish.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?
Most “yams” sold in the U.S. are actually sweet potatoes — either orange or golden-fleshed. True yams are starchier and harder to find.

2. Can I use canned yams?
Yes! Drain them well and skip the parboiling step. Reduce baking time by about 15 minutes.

3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely. Prepare and bake a day ahead, then reheat before serving.

4. How do I make them less sweet?
Reduce the sugar by ¼ cup and add a bit more salt or cinnamon to balance the flavor.

5. Can I make this vegan?
Yes — substitute butter with plant-based butter or coconut oil.

6. Can I add marshmallows?
Absolutely. Add them during the last 10 minutes of baking for a gooey, toasted topping.

7. How can I thicken the syrup more?
Simmer the sauce for an extra minute before pouring over the yams.

8. Can I use white sugar only?
You can, but brown sugar gives a richer caramel flavor that makes this dish shine.

9. What proteins pair best with candied yams?
They go perfectly with roast chicken, turkey, grilled beef, or baked salmon.

10. Can I store leftovers with marshmallows?
Yes — just reheat gently to avoid burning the marshmallows.

🏁 Conclusion

These Candied Yams are a timeless classic that never fails to impress. The tender, caramelized sweet potatoes bathed in buttery brown sugar syrup make every bite a celebration of flavor and comfort.

Whether you’re serving them at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy dinner, they bring warmth and nostalgia to your table. The glossy glaze, soft texture, and heavenly aroma remind us of family gatherings, laughter, and love shared over delicious food.

Simple, budget-friendly, and endlessly satisfying — this recipe is proof that the best dishes are often the ones made with heart and humble ingredients. Once you make it, you’ll never go back to canned yams again.