Candied Yams Recipe
Real candied yams made with sweet potatoes in a butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon syrup, with both a stovetop and oven method and marshmallows as an optional topping.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 lbs sweet potatoes (4 to 6 medium), peeled andsliced 1/2 inch thick
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 to 1.5 cups brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2 to 3 cups mini marshmallows, optional
Instructions
- Parboil sliced sweet potatoes in boiling water until just fork-tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain.
- Melt butter in the same pot, stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt, and bring to a gentle boil.
- Return the sweet potatoes to the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, basting frequently, until the syrup reduces to a glaze.
- For the oven version instead, arrange potatoes in a buttered 9x13 dish, pour the syrup over, bake covered at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes, then uncovered for 10 to 20 minutes. Add marshmallows for the final uncovered stretch if using.
Notes
Keep stovetop heat no higher than medium-low to avoid scorching the sugar. For the oven method, always finish uncovered so the syrup can reduce instead of staying watery.