What Are Variations to This Candied Yams Recipe?

Just can’t get enough of these subtly sweet root vegetables? You could try a new recipe every day of the week with our plethora of sweet potato recipes ! Here are a few of our favorite ways to switch up this candied yam recipe. Make a Marshmallow Topping: Gooey marshmallows add even more sweetness and fun to this dish. Once your candied yams are ready, transfer them to an oven-safe dish and top with marshmallows. Broil in the oven for 1 to 2 minutes or just until your marshmallows are golden brown and toasted. Keep a close eye on your dish to avoid burning the top. Add Some Crunch: For a topping with some crunch, try crushed Honey Nut Cheerios™ cereal, chopped pecans, or other chopped nuts. Simply sprinkle your topping over your candied yams or sweet potatoes for extra flavor and texture. Sweet Potato Pie for Dessert: Take your sweet potatoes from side dish to dessert with our roasted sweet potato pie recipe !

Can I Make Candied Yams Ahead of Time?

Short answer, yes. However, homemade candied yams have a soft, delicate texture—that’s what makes them so good! But that also means they can fall apart if reheated and stirred. While it’s nice to save time on some recipes, we recommend making this candied yams recipe on the day of your event and serving immediately after cooking for the best results.

Are Yams and Sweet Potatoes the Same?

Wondering if you can sub in a sweet potato for this candied yams recipe? True yams are technically different from sweet potatoes, but you can use either for this recipe. You might have more luck finding sweet potatoes in the produce section! Yams aren’t grown in the U.S., so whether or not you come across them will depend on your grocery store’s selection. On the other hand, different varieties of sweet potatoes are plentiful. The deep orange or nearly red-fleshed varieties (known as red garnet sweet potatoes) are very moist and sweet—perfect for this recipe.

Can I Use Canned Sweet Potatoes or Yams for This Recipe?

If the produce section is fresh out of yams or sweet potatoes, you might be wondering if you can use the canned version for this recipe. We recommend against this swap, as canned yams and canned sweet potatoes are already cooked, and many are also already sweetened. Candied yams are best made with raw yams that can be boiled and sweetened to your liking. But if you really do want to adjust the recipe, feel free to experiment on your own! You’ll likely need to rinse excess syrup or liquid from your canned sweet potatoes or yams and drain them well. You’ll then want to proceed according to step 2 of the recipe, skipping the boiling, simmering, and peeling in step one. Consider reducing the sweetness of the glaze and maybe even opting to simply drizzle the adjusted glaze over the top of your dish. Be careful not to overheat your canned yams or sweet potatoes, as they can quickly become mushy.

How Do I Peel Yams for Candied Yams?

Peeling root vegetables can seem daunting, but you’re in luck—you won’t even need your veggie peeler for this candied yams recipe. Cooking your yams or sweet potatoes in their jackets makes the skins slide right off. This boiling method also protects the soft insides and helps them better retain their shape when sliced. So put the paring knife or peeler away, and get ready to enjoy these super soft, deliciously sweet candied yams!

Classic Candied Yams

Name: Classic Candied Yams
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 3 to 4 medium red garnet sweet potatoes (2 lb); 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons water; 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Prep Time 15 min
Total 50 min
Servings 6
Ingredients 5

Ingredients

3 to 4 medium red garnet sweet potatoes (2 lb)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step
1

Scrub sweet potatoes, but do not peel.
Step
2

Place sweet potatoes in Dutch oven. Add enough water just to cover. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until tender. Drain; cool slightly. Slip off skins. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices.
Step
3

In 12-inch skillet, stir remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly.
Step
4

Add sweet potatoes. Gently stir until sweet potatoes are glazed and hot.

Classic Candied Yams

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

% Daily Value*:

Exchanges:

Classic Candied Yams

Ingredients

Instructions

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens Show

Nutrition Show

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

% Daily Value*:

Exchanges: