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? 🤔
My kids gobbled it up! Will definitely do again, thank you for this recipe!
I dunno, these yams seem more like dessert than a side dish. Not what I expected.
Yummy! But I think I used too much nutmeg – next time just a pinch.
I don’t get why you have to cover them with foil. My Grandma never did that. They didn’t turn out so good.
Wow these candied yams are the best! I added some mini marshmallows on top and it was perfect!
Yams? I thought this was a sweet potato recipe. Isn’t that the same? Anyway, they turned out fine, but I didn’t really get the hype.
Yams? I thought this was made with sweet potatoes? What even is a yam? 🤔
Yams and sweet potatoes are different! Yams are starchy and often white or purple inside compared to sweet potatoes, which are orange and sweeter. It’s confusing, I know! 😊
I’ve never even heard of yams before! Are they good? Can you just use sweet potatoes instead?
Yummy! But I think you should have more pictures of the process. I got confused when mixing the sugar.