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Learn how to make candied yams for your next family meal, it’s so simple! This candied sweet potatoes recipe is easy and delicious!
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Candied Yams Recipe
This candied yams recipe is the easiest way to make a classic holiday side dish. Put this amazing recipe together for Thanksgiving or Christmas and you’ll soon find there’s none left – it’s THAT good.
There are always those traditional dishes that the older folks in your family just seem to know how to make by heart. It’s like they’re born with the knowledge! And most of the time they pass these recipes on by word of mouth, never writing it down. So, of course, every so often the knowledge is lost, or you’re just not in contact with anyone who remembers.
How to make candied yams seems to be one of those traditional bits of knowledge I’m talking about. Your parents and grandparents, not to mention your aunties and uncles, probably all knew how to make candied yams. You might have great memories eating them as a kid at the holiday dinner table!
Sometimes, though, you can’t ask your relatives about the recipe for whatever reason…or when you try the recipe they give you, it comes out terrible. Been there, done that, y’all!! That’s why I think this candied yams recipe is a total lifesaver.
It’s simple, yes, and quick, and I’m sure some of you may think it’s too easy to put on this blog! And that’s okay…but some folks may need to know how to prep candied yams for the holidays, just like they remember eating with their cousins. That’s why I’ve put up this recipe today!
Candied Yams Recipe
- cans of yams
- brown sugar
- butter
- vanilla extract
- salt
Recipe Note
You can double, triple, etc this recipe. Great news if you have an army to feed in the holidays!!
For those on certain diets
While I have never prepared this dairy-free, I have heard that the dish still works well if you use olive oil instead of butter. If you need a sugar-free variation, I’ve seen that honey works well instead of brown sugar, but, again, I’ve never tried it. If you put together a version of this dish with substitutions, please tell me about it in the comments!
How To Make Candied Yams
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Strain off yams and place then into a small baking dish.
- Cut up 1 stick of butter into small chunks and sprinkle them throughout the baking dish.
- Sprinkle brown sugar and salt over the yams and butter.
- Drizzle vanilla extract over the yams and butter.
- Place dish in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until yams are soft.
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Candied Yams Recipe: Q&A
Something on your mind about these candied yams? Curious about how to make them better, or just how to make them right? I can help! Here are some questions I’ve collected over time (and their answers, of course).
Do you have any suggestions for add-ins?
I like the recipe as-is…BUT…if you need more to throw in, I don’t blame you! Candied yams are JUST that good. I suggest:
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Clove
- Cayenne pepper
- Raisins
- Maple syrup
- Walnuts
- Nutmeg
- Marshmallows
Not all at once, of course. That may be a mess! ? Choose a few and see what you like.
Can you make these in advance?
I wouldn’t! I especially wouldn’t freeze them because they’ll become watery when you heat them back up again. This is unfortunately just one of those recipes you have to be ready for!
Can you use fresh yams or frozen yams as opposed to canned yams?
Yes, it should turn out the same! I just use canned yams because it’s the most convenient and you may find it the most convenient, too. The taste should still be the same!
Should I use light or dark brown sugar?
Either is fine!!
How did you like this recipe
Tell me your thoughts about this holiday classic. Did you like it? Not so much? Do you have any questions for me? Remember to leave a comment down below with your thoughts and I’ll try to answer where I can!
Other recipes you may enjoy
Candied Yams Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 cans yams, 15 oz. each
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter, 1 stick
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Strain off yams and place then into a small baking dish
- Cut up 1 stick of butter into small chunks and sprinkle them throughout the baking dish.
- Sprinkle brown sugar and salt, as well as drizzle vanilla extract over the yams and butter.
- Place dish in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until yams are soft.
Notes
- You can double, triple, etc this recipe. Great news if you have an army to feed during the holidays!!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Should I cover the dish while baking?
No, you do not need to cover the dish.
Thanks for helping our Christmas dinner be soooo delicious! I ran out of brown sugar so ran to my computer in search of a recipe – found YOURS! I used half Coconut Palm Sugar and half honey in place of the brown sugar. This replacement worked better than great. I forgot the Vanilla Extract and salt but it was still yummy tasting. Thanks for your recipe, Jamie!
Easiest recipe and tastes great! Thank you
Can I add.molasses to this? I like the extra flavor
I’ve never tried that, but would love to hear your thoughts if you tried it!
I have been making yams from scratch for 50+ years. I scrub them like a potato and boil them
whole. Remove before, too soft and let them cool a bit. **** The skin will peel off easily! ****
Then, cut the sweet potatoes into about 1″ slices.
I heat butter, brown sugar and a bit of salt in a frying pan.
Over med/low heat put slices in the brown sugar in the pan. Let them heat for a few minutes and
then turn them over to heat other side. I remove them and put in a baking dish. Continue until all the
peeled slices are done.
I pour all the remaining brown sugar/butter mixture over the potatoes in the baking dish. You can keep
them warm in the oven. You can put marshmallows on top a few minutes before serving if you want.
I just made this, -added marshmallows of course!
But I seen ur added ingredients and added a few of those as well. I wish I would’ve thot of the pineapples or pineapple juice before I put together in oven. Let you know how it turns out our thanksgiving is in 40mins.. happy turkey day yall!