Candied yams are a beloved, classic side dish that brings warmth, sweetness, and nostalgia to the holiday table. Made with tender yams or sweet potatoes coated in a buttery, sugary glaze, this dish is rich, comforting, and perfectly indulgent. It’s a staple at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other family gatherings, offering a sweet contrast to the savory main dishes.
The magic of candied yams comes from the blend of brown sugar, butter, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. As the yams bake, the sugar melts into the butter, forming a thick, sticky glaze that soaks into the tender slices. Some versions also add a touch of vanilla, orange zest, or maple syrup for extra depth of flavor.
Traditionally, candied yams are baked until the edges become caramelized and the glaze thickens, creating a glossy coating that clings to each bite. The texture is perfectly balanced, soft and velvety on the inside with hints of golden crispness on the outside.
For those who like an extra touch of sweetness, mini marshmallows are often added toward the end of baking. They melt into a gooey, toasted topping that’s both playful and delicious, adding another layer of comfort to an already indulgent dish.
Candied yams pair beautifully with savory holiday staples like turkey, ham, roasted vegetables, stuffing, and gravy. Their sweetness offers a wonderful contrast to salty and savory flavors, rounding out the meal in a truly satisfying way.
As for drinks, candied yams complement sparkling cider, a light Riesling, or even a spiced herbal tea. Their rich sweetness also pairs nicely with coffee or dessert wines for a cozy, post-dinner treat.
Whether you grew up with them on your table or are trying them for the first time, candied yams are the kind of dish that brings smiles, memories, and a little extra sweetness to any celebration.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds yams peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 0.5 cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the yams in a baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well.
- Pour the sugar mixture over the yams, and toss to coat evenly.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15 minutes or until the yams are tender and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy your candied yams!
Nutrition
I thought yams are supposed to be healthy? All this sugar and butter seems kinda excessive. I don’t think I will make this.
This recipe is incredible! I made it for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. So sweet and delicious! Definitely 5 stars!
I’m glad everyone loved it! Candied yams always bring everyone together during the holidays. Just a tip, next time try adding some pecans on top for extra crunch!
I don’t get why everyone loves yams so much. They’re sweet but kinda mushy, right? I mean, how can you be so sure this was the best dish? 🤔
Wow these candied yams are the best! I added some mini marshmallows on top and it was perfect!
Yummy! But I think you should have more pictures of the process. I got confused when mixing the sugar.
It was okay, but I think I did something wrong. The yams were a bit hard. Didn’t taste that great…
Are yams and sweet potatoes the same? I used sweet potatoes and it turned out fine.
I followed this recipe and it turned out kinda mushy…maybe I cooked them too long? I don’t know. Not my fave.
I added a pinch of cayenne for a kick! Really brought out the flavor! Highly recommend it! 🔥
Yummy! My kids loved it. I added marshmallows on top too, it was a hit!
Too much butter! My heart is crying just looking at it. 😩
I get what you’re saying! That’s a lot of butter, but it sure does make them taste good! 😋
Yams? Never liked em. But my grandma swears by this recipe. What do I know?
I used to hate yams too, but this recipe changed my mind! The sweetness is just perfect. Give it a shot, you might be surprised!
Why add sugar to yams? They are sweet enough already! Seems like a waste of good yams if you ask me.
Y’all have to try this recipe! So easy and they taste like heaven! 😍
I just made these and they were the hit of the dinner table! So good! 🔥
I dunno, yams are kinda weird. Do they really taste that great? 🤔
I made these and they were too sweet for my taste. Maybe cut down on the sugar next time.
I totally agree with you! I think I will cut down the sugar too next time. Thanks for the tip!
These yams are absolutely delicious! Perfectly sweet and super easy to make. Will definitely make again.
Really? I don’t see how that could be good… yams and sugar? Seems weird.
I tried these yams last night, and they were a hit! Simple recipe, and they tasted great. Thanks for sharing!
I thought they were too sweet! Next time I’ll cut the sugar down. Not my favorite.
Yummy 😋! Can I use white sugar instead of brown? Just wondering.
How can yams be good? They are just sweet potatoes! I don’t get the hype around these… 🤷♂️
Pretty good, but not what I expected. I thought they would be more savory, guess I didn’t read the ingredients closely.
Can I use sweet potatoes instead? My yams look more like sweet potatoes, lol!
You can definitely use sweet potatoes! They will taste great too! 🙂
These yams are just divine! Had them for Thanksgiving and everyone went crazy over them! Will make again.
Soo good, I used brown sugar and like whipped cream!! Never tried candied yams before, but I think I am a fan now!!!
My grandma made this every Thanksgiving. Brings back good memories! 🥰
These yams were absolutely delicious! My whole family loved them. Will definitely make them again!