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All Posts / The BEST Candied Yams with Marshmallows

The BEST Candied Yams with Marshmallows

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By Rosie Published: June 30, 2023 Updated: October 15, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links.

My BEST EVER candied yams recipe… sweet and tender candied yams with marshmallows! This classic dish belongs on your next holiday table.

A close-up image of candied yams with marshmallows—sweet potatoes baked in a brown sugar syrup until tender and topped with mini marshmallows.
Table of Contents
  1. Why Do People Put Marshmallows on Candied Yams?
  2. Ingredients for Candied Yams with Marshmallows
  3. How to Make Baked Candied Yams with Marshmallows
  4. Canned Yams vs. Fresh Yams Which Should You Use? 
  5. More Candied Yams Recipes & Holiday-Worthy Side Dishes
  6. Video Tutorial for Baked Candied Yams with Marshmallows
  7. Candied Yams with Marshmallows


 

Hey Cousins! Are you ready for another yams recipe? I honestly can’t tell you how good these yams are because there are no words to describe them. I’m making the BEST candied yams recipe with marshmallows!

Now, if this candied yams recipe looks familiar, it’s because I shared it on YouTube many years ago. It’s the same recipe, and this time I’m giving you the written recipe, directions, and a little bit of a history lesson. Why? Because these marshmallow candied yams are just that bomb.com!

Why Do People Put Marshmallows on Candied Yams?

So, why the heck do people pile sweet and gooey marshmallows on top of candied sweet potatoes? Would you even believe me if I told you that sweet potato casserole was created to sell marshmallows?! Cousins, it’s true!

In 1917, executives at the modern-day marshmallow manufacturing company, Angelus Marshmallows, needed a clever way to market their sweet and squishy new product in the United States. They reached out to Janet McKenzie Hill, the founder of the Boston Cooking School Magazine, to develop a small collection of recipes that incorporated marshmallows as an ingredient. And there you have it—the birth of modern-day sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping! 

Are sweet potatoes and marshmallows a Southern thing?

Are sweet potatoes a Southern thing? Yes, most definitely! Sweet potatoes—or yams—were brought to America from Western Africa and found their popularity in the South. Yams are now a staple in Southern and Soul Food recipes. Enjoying a good old-fashioned sweet potato pie is very much a Southern thing. The marshmallows, however, well, that’s just an American thing! You’ll be hard-pressed to find marshmallows on any sweet potato or yams casserole in another part of the world.

Are candied yams and candied sweet potatoes the same thing?

Is there really a difference between candied yams and candied sweet potatoes? Technically, yes—traditional yams are different in taste and appearance than traditional sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have that trademark orange (or purple) color; they’re sweeter and widely available in the US. Real yams have rough, bark-like skin, are starchy, and can be toxic if eaten raw. If you want true yams for any recipe, you’ll likely have to go to a specialty African, Asian, or Caribbean grocer. Candied yams and candied sweet potatoes refer to the same dish—American sweet potatoes baked until tender in a sweet syrup made with brown sugar and butter.

Ingredients for Candied Yams with Marshmallows

So, after that history lesson, let’s get on with the recipe! The ingredients you need to make yams with marshmallows are similar to other candied yams recipes I’ve shared before. Here’s everything you need. 

  • Medium-Sized Yams: American sweet potatoes are usually between 6-10 oz. each, so you’ll need about 2 pounds to make this recipe. 
  • Dark Brown Sugar & White Sugar: sugars caramelize with salted butter to make the base of the candied yams sauce. 
  • Spices: classic spices for yams include ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, which is what I use in this recipe.
  • Vanilla: a hint of vanilla extract is all you need for flavor. 
  • Marshmallows: need I say more?! I use mini marshmallows. 

What kind of marshmallows should I use on candied yams? 

Did y’all know there are so many kinds of marshmallows?! Flavored, stuffed, candied, cereal, fluff… you name it. However, plain ol’ white marshmallows are what we need for these candied yams. 

Some tips for perfect marshmallow usage:

  • Use miniature marshmallows if you want less coverage or smaller marshmallows. You can use fewer for small pockets of toasted fluff or more for full coverage. 
  • Use large marshmallows, or campfire marshmallows, if you want a larger marshmallow-to-sweet potato ratio. Campfire marshmallows toast beautifully, puff up a little bit, then shrink into gooey, sweet pockets of goodness.
  • If you’re feeling really adventurous, make a homemade marshmallows recipe! The flavor of from-scratch marshmallows can’t be beat, even though they take some effort.
  • The amount of marshmallows you use is totally up to you. I use 1.5 cups of mini marshmallows, which is not full coverage on top of the yams. I’d recommend not using less than a cup unless you’re making a smaller batch.

How to Make Baked Candied Yams with Marshmallows

The process is very similar if you’ve made any of my holiday yam recipes before. It’s such an easy recipe and takes less than an hour. During the holidays, that’s precious cooking time you’re saving!

Below is a quick overview of how to make baked candied yams with marshmallows! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for complete instructions and ingredient measurements. 

  1. Wash, peel, and slice the fresh sweet potatoes. Cut them up in chunks or rounds—totally up to you. Just make sure to cut them into similar size pieces so they cook evenly. 
  2. Boil the yams in a large pot of water over high heat. We don’t need to cook them through fully; they will finish cooking in the oven!
  3. In a small saucepan, make the brown sugar mixture. Combine melted butter with white and brown sugars, spices, and vanilla. Don’t overcook this mixture—you should make it over low heat.
  4. Spread the boiled yams in a single layer in a prepared baking dish and pour the brown sugar mixture on top. Make sure all the yams are covered in the sauce.
  5. Bake, uncovered, in a preheated 375-degree oven for about 20 minutes. 
  6. Add the marshmallows, then place the casserole dish back in the oven for another 5-7 minutes until the marshmallow topping is perfectly golden brown and gooey.

There you have it! That’s the quick-step process to making one of the most classic Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. You definitely want to save this recipe for a holiday meal or a special occasion only—it’s far too sweet for an everyday side but perfect for indulgences.

Do I have to boil the yams before baking the candied yams casserole?

In this recipe, yes—I boil before I bake! However, I have a similar baked candied yams recipe that skips the boiling step, so it’s not always necessary. In this case, I think boiling the sweet potatoes makes them perfectly tender on the outside. Then baking in the oven with the sweet, caramelized sauce ensures they’re perfectly cooked entirely through. 

Canned Yams vs. Fresh Yams: Which Should You Use? 

Y’all know I am all about time-saving hacks, especially around the holidays. Can you save a little prep time and use canned yams for a candied yams recipe? Sure, you could; desperate times call for desperate measures. 😉 Canned yams might be just as nutritious as fresh, but in this recipe, fresh is definitely best.

More Candied Yams Recipes & Holiday-Worthy Side Dishes

Candied yams with marshmallows are a must-have on any holiday table. Lucky for you, I have plenty of variations of candied yams right here! 

  • Slow Cooker Southern Candied Yams
  • Soul Food Style Baked Candied Yams
  • Instant Pot Candied Yams
  • Stovetop Bourbon Candied Yams

The sweet potato recipes don’t stop there—I told y’all I’m a Soul Food blogger! You’ve gotta fill your Thanksgiving table with my Soul Food Sweet Potato Pie, a classic Sweet Potato Casserole, Sweet Potato Pie Fudge, and even Honey Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls.

Candied yams with marshmallows pair perfectly with other savory holiday season side dishes like collard greens, cornbread dressing, and creamy mashed potatoes. 

Video Tutorial for Baked Candied Yams with Marshmallows

Watch my video tutorial below, showing exactly how I make decadent homemade candied yams with marshmallows. You can also print out the ingredients and instructions using the recipe card. 

Be sure to share and save this recipe on Pinterest! You can also follow along with all things Rosie and I Heart Recipes by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and check out all my cookbooks!

yams

Candied Yams with Marshmallows

Made completely from scratch, these are the BEST candied yams to serve at any holiday dinner! Sweet, tender yams with a simple syrup sauce topped with marshmallows. Sweet and savory!
Watch Video Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert, Side Dish, Side Dish/ Dessert
Cuisine holiday, Soul Food, Southern, Southern/ Soul Food
Keyword Candied Yams, Candied Yams from Scratch, candied yams with marshmallows
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes minutes
Total Time 45 minutes minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 medium sized yams peeled and sliced
  • 1 stick of salted butter
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

  • Place the peeled and cut yams into a large pot and cover the yams with water.
    6 medium sized yams
  • Place the pot on the stovetop, turn the heat to high, and let the yams boil for about 5 minutes. Then drain the yams and set them to the side.
  • In a separate pot, add 1 stick of butter and melt it over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, reduce the heat to low (or off) and add in the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Stir to cook for 1 minute.
    1 stick of salted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger. Stir, then add in the vanilla extract.
    1 tbsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • Place the yams into a buttered baking dish and pour the candied mixture all over the yams. Make sure the yams are well coated with the candied mixture!
  • Place the yams in the oven, uncovered, at 375 F for 20 minutes.
  • Remove the yams from the oven and add the marshmallows on top.
    1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
  • Place the yams back into the oven for 5-7 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden brown and gooey.
  • Allow the candied yams and marshmallows to cool for 10 minutes, then serve & enjoy!

Video

If you loved this recipe, leave me a review below. This helps future recipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!
© 2024 I Heart Recipes
Recipe by: I Heart Recipes
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EXPLORE RECIPE CATEGORIESAll Posts, Christmas, Easter, Holiday Recipes, Sides, Soul Food, Southern Recipes, Thanksgiving Recipes, Turkey Recipes

MEET THE RECIPE AUTHOR

Rosie

I’m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my family—whether they’re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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Comments

  1. Happy Everyday says

    November 9, 2014 at 4:25 am

    I have viewed so many videos and yours is the best by far! I am learning how to be a better cook for my soon to be hubby and you have really helped me learned. Your videos are very easy to follow and I can understanding what you are saying. Thank You and keep up the best cooking ever! 🙂

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 9, 2014 at 8:09 am

      Thank YOU, for trying my recipes hunny!

      Reply
      • Mrs M. says

        December 12, 2016 at 4:44 am

        5 stars
        Rosie, thank you so much for the recipe for these candied yams! I made six pans of these yams for a church event and every couple minutes I had to put out another pan. They were the talk of the event. I have even had members come up to me and ask if I can make them a pan of candied yams for their birthday lol. Keep up the good work and let me know if you have more recipes that you can share.

        Reply
        • Rosie says

          December 12, 2016 at 10:19 am

          LOL! Yams for their birthdays?! Sounds like something I would request! LOL. Thanks for trying my recipe.

          Reply
      • Debra Stout says

        November 23, 2017 at 8:08 am

        5 stars
        Thank you for giving my family sweet memories with your delicious recipes. God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving!

        Reply
        • Rosie says

          November 23, 2017 at 10:01 am

          Happy Holidays!

          Reply
    • Arlene says

      November 22, 2014 at 4:36 pm

      How many servings will your recipe feed! . Thank you!

      Reply
      • Arlene says

        November 22, 2014 at 4:45 pm

        Another question…Have you made this recipe for a large group and if so, how much longer does the recipe need to bake? Do you use a glass dish or something else? I am planning on using this recipe to feed about 30 adults. Thank you!

        Reply
        • Rosie says

          November 22, 2014 at 5:00 pm

          Hi Arlene! This recipe served about 6 people. If you’re making it for 30 adults, you’re definitely going to need to make about 5 platters. I don’t recommend trying to cook it all together.

          Reply
          • Arlene says

            November 22, 2014 at 5:37 pm

            Thank you!

          • John K says

            November 23, 2016 at 11:20 am

            For multiple batches, should I bake each batch individually, then combine them all together in a full tray, add mellows and bake?

          • Rosie says

            November 23, 2016 at 3:48 pm

            You should be fine adding them all together of you have a large enough dish.

        • Linda H. says

          December 19, 2016 at 8:41 am

          What size glass dish do you use for this recipe (for 6 servings)?
          Most important– If I double the recipe, what size glass dish do you recommend? Same cooking time if recipe is doubled?

          Reply
          • Rosie says

            December 19, 2016 at 9:15 pm

            Hi Linda, the recipe can be double. The dish that I used in the video was a 9×13. I’m not sure on which glass dish to recommend for a bigger batch.

    • Kathy says

      November 23, 2015 at 7:59 pm

      Hi Rosie,
      I am really excited to make your wonderful candied yams. I was wondering if I can make these a day ahead and bake them the next day?

      Reply
      • Rosie says

        November 24, 2015 at 12:41 pm

        Sure! You can make them the day before, but don’t add the marshmallows until the next day, when you reheat the yams. XOXO

        Reply
        • Laurie says

          November 23, 2016 at 12:14 am

          Can i combine everything except the marshmallows then tomorrow bake as directed and then add the marshmallows the next day to heat up , melt the marshmallows when i serve?
          Short on oven space! If it will still be as good !
          Thank you and happy t day!

          Reply
          • Rosie says

            November 23, 2016 at 7:07 pm

            Yes. That should be okay.

  2. Sharnay Dearman says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:43 am

    Hey Rosie I noticed you only boiled the yams for 5 minutes. My mother-in-law said you have to boil yams for a long time. But since you baked the yams will it still come out tender?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 21, 2014 at 10:16 am

      Hi Sharnay. 5 minutes of boiling is enough. Keep in mind that the yams are also being baked. They will definitely be tender once completely done.

      Reply
      • Sharnay Dearman says

        November 21, 2014 at 11:50 am

        Ok thank you

        Reply
  3. Byron says

    November 23, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    Hello I noticed my candied sauce wasn’t liquidy once I added the sugars. It seem like the sugar absorbed all the butter. I used 3/4 cup of sugar and Brown sugar. But it’s grainy. Did I do something wrong?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 23, 2014 at 6:15 pm

      If it’s “grainy” you definitely did something wrong, or perhaps you skipped a step or two 🙁

      Reply
      • Byron says

        November 23, 2014 at 7:36 pm

        I just added a little water and it came out fine. Thanks!

        Reply
    • Doug says

      November 27, 2014 at 10:53 am

      Looks to me, like she uses more like a 1/4 cup

      Reply
      • Doug says

        November 27, 2014 at 3:43 pm

        Okay, after making this recipe, I’m fairly confident it should be 3/8 of a cup of each of the sugars. 1/4 wasn’t quite enough but 1/2 and I had to mix in more butter.

        Reply
      • Rosie says

        November 29, 2014 at 5:42 pm

        Looks can be deceiving hun

        Reply
  4. Shontia says

    November 25, 2014 at 8:38 am

    I will be making this recipes for Thanksgiving……cant wait!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 25, 2014 at 9:05 am

      YAY!!! Enjoy them hun!

      Reply
  5. Diane9 says

    November 25, 2014 at 9:35 am

    I usually make these just like this in a pan on the stove … never made them in the oven but I will try this way for Thanksgiving! Thanks … looks so good!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 25, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      Thanks for coming by! Happy Thanksgiving! XOXO

      Reply
  6. Sarah says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    Is there a way to make these ahead of time and then heat them up on Thanksgiving day?

    Thank you! These look SO GOOD!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 25, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      Yes! You can definitely make the yams a day ahead! XOXO

      Reply
  7. sue says

    November 26, 2014 at 11:30 am

    I’m not a fan of candied sweet potatoes but while searching for a recipe to make for larger than usual crowd tomorrow, I came across this recipe. Looks great, l love the spices it incorporates. Expect to get many thumbs up for this dish. Thsnk You. Happy Thanksgiving.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 26, 2014 at 11:33 am

      Thank you Sue!!! Happy Holidays!

      Reply
  8. Fancy says

    November 26, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    Did you use salted or unsalted butter?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 26, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      I used salted, but unsalted butter can be used.

      Reply
  9. Idali says

    November 26, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    I am getting ready to make this right now, but i have a question. I’ve seen other versions of candied yams where the yams are sort of mashed. If i wanted to do that, when would i mash it, after baking?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 26, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      Hello. Sorry, but I can’t give you the steps for a whole other version at this time.

      Reply
      • Idali says

        November 26, 2014 at 4:16 pm

        That’s fine. I’m going to make your version. Thanks a lot! Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply
  10. Lolitta says

    November 26, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Love your recipes! I love candied yams but I could never seem to get them quite right…that and sweet potato pie! I’m cooking both of your recipes for Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving love!

    Reply
  11. Vee says

    November 27, 2014 at 12:46 am

    I’d like to prepare these a few hours ahead of time (up until the “candy coating” step”) if I boil and candy coat my yams, can I then leave them like that in the fridge for 3 hours or so, that way all I have to do is bake and marshmallow them right before serving? Or will the yummy candy mixture dry out? Hope this makes sense :)Thanks! Can’t wait to make and EAT these! They look divine 🙂

    Reply
  12. Alicia says

    November 27, 2014 at 9:43 am

    So I am thankful for finding this recipe, lol. I just bought sweet potatoes knowing i was going to make yams, but know HOW I was going to make them. I came across a plethora of choices, but then I typed in “THE BEST candied yams…” And boom! Here you are. My yams are in the oven, and I’m about to take them out to taste them. I will come back in the next 5-10 mins to leave my taste review! Thanks for the thorough directions! 🙂

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 29, 2014 at 5:41 pm

      Thanks for giving it a try!

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        November 29, 2014 at 7:28 pm

        Ok so they were probably the best yams my guests had!! Girlfriend, these yams are dangerous. My mother in law was stunned how good they were! *bonus points* And they were set off by the marshmallows..I literally have no leftovers. Thank you, these will be made time and time again!

        Reply
  13. Neena says

    November 27, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    Hi, Rosie, just wanted to tell you that I made these candied yams for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit! This was my first time ever making candied yams as I normally make sweet potato casserole for TG. I gotta admit, I was a little nervous about making this, as I was worried it might come out too sweet. But it wasn’t; SO delicious and warmly recieved by my picky family. My husband told me I should make this instead of the casserole from now on. Thank you so much and I look forward to trying out more of your recipes!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 29, 2014 at 5:45 pm

      I’m glad that you and the hubby liked the yams!!!! Happy Holidays! XOXO

      Reply
      • Vickie L. Inboden says

        November 22, 2023 at 7:07 am

        Is is possible to use canned (I know) Yams? Drain them, add spices, mix together then bake, the marshmallows to melt?

        Reply
        • Rosie says

          November 22, 2023 at 8:53 am

          Use fresh yams for best results.

          Reply
  14. Sally Myles says

    November 30, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    I made these for Thanksgiving and they were AMAZING!!! I cannot thank you enough! The video and the instructions were so helpful and the recipe was so PERFECT even I could get it right!

    Reply
  15. Deej says

    December 27, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    OMG…this was My first time making candied yams and it was an absolute hit! everyone loved them! this recipe is perfect and simple for first time chefs. Thank You so much for posting this recipe and making it very easy for people to understand

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 29, 2014 at 11:42 am

      Thanks for giving the recipe a try! I’m glad that you liked it! XOXO

      Reply
  16. Moni says

    March 1, 2015 at 5:59 am

    Rosie – I’m in a crunch for time and want to
    Know if I can use canned yams?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      March 1, 2015 at 2:52 pm

      Sorry, I don’ recommend using canned yams for this recipe.

      Reply
      • Moni says

        March 1, 2015 at 3:16 pm

        Thank you for responding!!!

        Reply
  17. Kenya says

    August 16, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    I DEFINITELY did something wrong. Mine were still raw, half done. I just put the marshmallows on but I’m gonna have to put aluminum foil on them and let them cook for another 20 minutes or so. Not sure what I did wrong, smh.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      August 16, 2015 at 7:14 pm

      Sounds like you didn’t cook them long enough. 🙁

      Reply
      • Kenya says

        August 17, 2015 at 11:43 am

        I figured out that my pieces were too large to cook for just 20 minutes per the recipe. I covered them, put them back in the oven for another 20 minutes and they came out PERFECT and the glaze was awesome. Thanks for the great recipe!!!

        Reply
        • Rosie says

          August 18, 2015 at 5:00 pm

          I’m glad that you were able to pin point what the problem was! XOXO

          Reply
  18. Michelle Freel Hubbard says

    September 26, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    This was SO delicious!!! I will never make it the “traditional” way again. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      September 30, 2015 at 12:18 am

      Glad that you liked it!

      Reply
  19. Terri says

    November 13, 2015 at 8:51 pm

    Yes Rosie~The Best EVER Candied Yams!!! I’ve tried numerous yam recipes over the years, and this was the BOMB!!! Last year, this recipe was a big hit in our home. I had a family member ask what was in it, so I told him the ingredients, his response was, that was the best yam dish he ever tasted & he hates marshmallows but loved your recipe. I agree with him as I’m not a fan of marshmallows, but I LOVE your recipe. It turned out so good, that I had the yam for dessert, instead of pumpkin pie 🙂 A week later I received a call from this guys wife, saying her husband would only eat your yam recipe. Many thanks from our home!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 15, 2015 at 5:33 pm

      Oh wow!!!! I’m so glad that you all liked the recipe!! It’s one of my favorites as well! XOXO

      Reply
  20. bob says

    November 19, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    Our family traditional candied yams include the marshmallows and a cup of raisins at the same time. A treasure in our family! Making two batches this year for two families (hope to impress the in-laws). Passed on to me from my Mamsey.
    Bob

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 23, 2015 at 5:02 pm

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  21. Brittany says

    November 26, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Rosie this candy is delicious! Thank you for the recipe, i’m bringing to thanksgiving dinner with my family today. Wish you had an apple pie filling recipe up here! lol i’m throwing together an apple cobbler really quick too. I’m sure to get rave reviews on these yams. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 27, 2015 at 7:31 pm

      I’m glad that you liked it hunny!

      Reply
  22. Meg says

    December 23, 2015 at 9:49 am

    I have never made yams before so i want to make these. My family wants walnuts to be in it. Can i add them and when in the recipe would i do that? I am making this in 3-4 days. Thanks!

    Reply
  23. Lori says

    January 9, 2016 at 6:32 pm

    Wow!!! Best yams ever!!!!!! Thank you for this recipe(: Oh yeah, it was super easy as well!!!!!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      January 11, 2016 at 8:03 pm

      I’m glad that you like the recipe!

      Reply
  24. Kina says

    April 15, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    I do not see the recipe just the video. I would really like to try this recipe.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      April 16, 2016 at 3:18 pm

      I fixed it. Sorry for the inconvenience!

      Reply
  25. Barb says

    November 20, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    Rosie, could I add a little Jack Daniels to this?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 20, 2016 at 9:20 pm

      LOL! You sure can! XOXO

      Reply
  26. Tera Kirkland-Holton says

    November 23, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    Do I have to use ginger

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 23, 2016 at 5:47 pm

      no, it’s optional.

      Reply
  27. CJ Keller says

    November 23, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    What size dish? I know it says butter bake dish, but I’m not sure what that is. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 23, 2016 at 5:44 pm

      9×13

      Reply
  28. Camille says

    December 12, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was AMAZING! I was asked to bring something to my boyfriend’s family’s thanksgiving (no pressure) and everyone loved it! The only problem with this recipe is that it it was so good there wasn’t any leftovers! The best candied yams ever!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 12, 2016 at 7:20 pm

      Hi Camille! Glad that everyone liked the yams! XOXO

      Reply
  29. Abi says

    December 28, 2016 at 12:20 am

    This Christmas made my 3rd time making these utterly sinful yams. My son asked me not to invite people over again because there were no leftovers lol.
    I came on to click every ad on the page ^.^ hope the advertisers come flocking.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 28, 2016 at 12:50 am

      LMAO!! Thanks Abi. Glad that you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  30. Robyne says

    November 19, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    Hi Rosie..I’m excited to try your recipe this week for our Thanksgiving dinner!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 19, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      Awesome! Enjoy!

      Reply
  31. Bobbie Spearman says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:03 pm

    Your recipe sounds delicious I’m making it for 14 people should I double the recipe?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 21, 2017 at 7:26 pm

      Hi Bobbie! Yes, double the recipe 😀

      Reply
  32. Cameron Lewis says

    November 23, 2017 at 6:37 am

    5 stars
    I made this for thanksgiving and it looked great with the marshmallows it looks so good to eat. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 23, 2017 at 10:01 am

      Happy Holidays!

      Reply
  33. Robert says

    December 25, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    5 stars
    Girl, my Mom’s friends went crazy over these at the Christmas dinner party last night. The only thing though is that I didn’t have any ground ginger. Regardless, it was a hit, and they are the bomb!!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 25, 2017 at 7:00 pm

      Thanks for trying recipe!

      Reply
  34. Danielle says

    December 27, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    5 stars
    Made these for Christmas and everyone went nuts! Tasted just like the yams we get from our local soul food restaurant that I’m obsessed with. Crazy good! I never want the leftovers to end… Thanks for the great recipe– it’s my go-to for holiday dinners from now on!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 27, 2017 at 8:05 pm

      Thanks for trying my recipe.

      Reply
  35. April says

    April 12, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    5 stars
    I’m not exactly a fan of candied yams… or any other yams for that matter…. my grandmother was the only person who could make them “right” in my opinion so I’ve never tried anyone else’s. She passed away last March. she was my hero, my role model, and the rock of our entire family. One of the things I miss most is her cooking. She was the best, and could cook anything, and while she taught me everything I know about cooking, I no longer have the ability to call her and ask her how to do something and I never got around to asking for her recipe for things like this. I thought there would always be tomorrow….. then she was gone…. The holidays were definitely hard without her here. We tried our best to plan and prepare our family meal, and after listening to descriptions of everyone else’s version of the dish, I thought I’d give it a try because there was no way I was going to let them do it! Lol It took forever to find a recipe with the right combination of ingredients! Your’s is the first I found and it is the only one I need. Its perfect! They’re delicious! I’m making them tonight for the 4th time since the holidays, and none go to waist, I assure you – I’ve put on a pound or two, but so worth it 😉
    I just wanted to thank you for sharing your recipe because it really was exactly what I needed, and every time I make them it takes me back to her.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      April 12, 2018 at 6:02 pm

      Thanks for trying April! XOXO

      Reply
  36. Rochelle says

    November 25, 2018 at 7:00 am

    5 stars
    You are correct, da bomb! So, so, so good. Going to see if you have a sweet potato pie recipe. 🙂

    Reply
  37. Kari says

    November 29, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    5 stars
    These were at hit at Thanksgiving! So yummy and sweet. Check marked as my new go-to candied yams!! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  38. Chelsea says

    December 26, 2019 at 11:06 pm

    5 stars
    Cooked these for our Christmas Eve dinner with both of the extended families over. The pan was wiped out! My mom even said it’s the best thing she’s ever had! THING. OF ALL TIME! Haha I don’t even like candied yams, but these were actually so good! Definitely keeping for the future. Thank you!

    Reply
  39. Karen R says

    October 8, 2020 at 1:59 pm

    5 stars
    Rosie, this recipe is, just like all your recipes. I want you to know that I believe your cooking skills come deeply from within. You are an inspiration to me. So sweet, kind and funny! Keep going girrrrrrl because you have a long way to go. Be Blessed and I can’t wait for Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      October 9, 2020 at 9:30 am

      Thanks so much Karen!

      Reply
  40. Linda says

    November 26, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    5 stars
    Hubs requested candied yams for Thanksgiving, decided to make this and so glad I did. Everyone loved them! The juice was tasty for dipping turkey into. The spices were totally yummy. Sweet enough without being too sweet. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  41. RFA says

    November 26, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    5 stars
    Truly the best ever candied yams… and soo easy!

    Reply
    • RFA says

      November 26, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      THANK YOU, ROSIE!

      Reply
  42. Renee HendersonGray says

    November 13, 2021 at 12:12 pm

    I have these on my list to make for Thanksgiving. I love candied yams with marshmallows.

    Reply
  43. Tash says

    November 20, 2021 at 10:25 am

    4 stars
    This recipe sounds delicious. I’m going to try it but 1/2 it because only 3 of my family members eat yams. But I like the idea of fresh yams vs the canned. Thank you so much. One question do you find that slicing the yams are better than cubing them, so to speak?

    Reply
  44. Petunia53 says

    November 26, 2022 at 8:42 am

    5 stars
    I made this recipe for Thanksgiving 2022 and it was DELICIOUS! The candied yams were gobbled up so quickly, I barely had any leftovers to eat! I used 5 large yams and DID include the ginger, which made it extra-tasty. I will be making this recipe over and over again. Everyone raved about how good it was! I enjoyed the flavor of the fresh yams, sliced just thickly enough so they weren’t mushy. Even though I used 5 large yams & your recipe says it serves 6, it worked out just fine for 10 people & fit nicely in a 13x9x2” Pyrex dish. Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!

    Reply
  45. Jan L Kinslow says

    December 4, 2022 at 3:49 pm

    5 stars
    I have been making a slightly different version of candied yams for years, but these were the best EVER! However, I noticed when I mixed the 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup sugar, as directed on the recipe, it was too thick. I ended up adding another stick of butter and it was delicious. Can you give me any tips on the amounts? In watching the video, it looks like you only use about 1/2 cup of the sugars. My son said, “Mom, what did you do different with these yams? These are Next Level!” Thank you for this awesome recipe, my favorite part of the Thanksgiving Dinner!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 4, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      Hi Jan! I used the amounts listed. When the yams bake, the liquid from the yams thins it out a bit 🙂 . Glad that you liked the recipe.

      Reply
  46. Kiki says

    December 15, 2022 at 12:38 pm

    Hi there! Do you have any idea how many lbs. 6 medium sized yams is approximately? Since yams vary so wildly in size this would help me be a bit more accurate in my preparations. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 16, 2022 at 6:45 am

      Hi Kiki. About 2-3 lbs .

      Reply
  47. STEPHANIE A MCCULLOUGH says

    December 25, 2022 at 3:56 pm

    5 stars
    Soooo yummy. Thank you!!!!

    Reply
  48. Barbara says

    October 6, 2023 at 12:42 pm

    I have used a similar recipe before. I have seen some recips use an egg , cream and orange juice. What is your opinion of these options?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      October 9, 2023 at 8:51 am

      I would never use eggs in candied yams. Give this recipe a try before adding anything else to it. 🙂

      Reply
  49. Jason says

    November 15, 2023 at 5:22 pm

    5 stars
    Hi! I’ve made these for years and my family adores them (And I love them as leftovers, maybe a bit too much). This year though a bunch of us are getting together for a community Thanksgiving and I have to up it for 30 people. Instead of trying 4 different 9x13s, I’m wondering if I could use my huge turkey roaster oven and do it all in one go. What do you think? Possible? Insane? And how would you modify it?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 16, 2023 at 6:21 pm

      Hi Jason! I’ve used my roaster before. It works! You may need to add 10 -15 more minutes to the cooking time. Just keep an eye on it. XOXO

      Reply
  50. Alyssa says

    November 20, 2023 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    Made this years ago and I’m obsessed with it! Almost couldn’t find it again and got nervous! Best recipe ever!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 21, 2023 at 4:53 am

      This recipe definitely isn’t going anywhere! It will STAY, LOL!! Thanks so much for trying my recipe hun.

      Reply
  51. Jeannie Bossert says

    November 22, 2023 at 11:48 am

    5 stars
    Dear Rosie Mayes,

    This is the best recipe by far. I had heard about it recently. Thanks you! I appreciate the distinct quantities of spices, nutmeg in particular. Nutmeg is so important, but too much and everything tastes like soap, whereas cinnamon I rarley measure.

    Thanks again

    Reply
  52. Joshua Smith says

    November 23, 2023 at 8:26 am

    Thank you I was looking for a recipe but I need it to have the southern touch so that they hit right! Can’t wait to try them today!

    Reply
  53. Rita Theriot says

    November 24, 2023 at 4:07 am

    5 stars
    My first time making Candied Yams I used this recipe and it was a hit. The only difference is I bake the yams before following the recipe.

    Reply
  54. CT says

    November 24, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    5 stars
    I am not a candied yams person, but this recipe made me a believer! Aside from the prep being SUPER easy, the flavor is just amazing. This will be our go-to for Thanksgiving side dish from now on. The sauce is so good I could just drink it. I almost want to drizzle it on vanilla ice cream too!

    Reply
  55. Pam says

    December 22, 2023 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    Hi! I must say this is the easiest recipe for candied yams ever. However I had to make a few changes. I and one other in our group are diabetic. So I substituted the sugars w/Swerve and I even found SF marshmallows online. This was a very big hit and no ones blood sugar spiked. So thankyou for this great recipe.

    Reply
  56. Elaine Haemker says

    November 15, 2024 at 6:47 am

    Hey Rosie,
    This is the BEST! Thank you for sharing your recipe. Have a blessed holiday!
    Elaine

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 19, 2024 at 5:22 am

      Thanks so much Elaine! Happy Holidays.

      Reply
  57. Audrey says

    November 21, 2024 at 3:22 am

    5 stars
    Delicious!!!

    Reply
  58. Tracey Smithee says

    November 27, 2024 at 2:25 pm

    5 stars
    This will be the 3rd year, at least, that we’ve had these for Thanksgiving! We have 31 grandchildren and they love it so much that they think it’s dessert! If you ask if they want yams, they’ll say NO, so we just call it dessert! It’s the first thing that goes every year! A++ recipe! A++ video! A++ instructions, presentation, and clarity! So easy to follow! Thank you!

    Reply
  59. Tiffany says

    November 28, 2024 at 1:31 pm

    5 stars
    I made these for Thanksgiving and I already tried a bite, just so I could see what it tastes like. They are delicious!! I know the family will love them!! Thank you for the delicious recipe!!

    Reply
  60. Shelley says

    November 28, 2024 at 8:47 pm

    Thank you that was fun to make and oh, so delicious!

    Reply
  61. Ju says

    November 29, 2024 at 12:01 am

    5 stars
    I definitely have to save this recipe! I made a few tweaks but it turned out amazing. I added a good splash of whiskey (about 1/8 cup) and another splash of orange juice.

    I also skipped the in water boiling step. I made the sauce, added the sliced sweet potatoes & cooked them in it (covered) for about 20-30 minutes. Once they were tender I transferred them to a pan, topped with a whole bag of mini marshmallows, and popped in the oven (uncovered) on 325 for about 15 minutes.

    Everybody went back for seconds! Can’t wait to make these again!

    Reply
  62. Nydia says

    December 1, 2024 at 5:52 am

    5 stars
    I followed your recipe – this was the first time I have EVER made yams – they were AMAZING!!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 5, 2024 at 12:39 pm

      Glad that you liked my recipe!

      Reply
  63. Nydia says

    December 6, 2024 at 5:24 am

    I actually tried your recipe, including the ginger (I originally made this dish for my granddaughter), and it was AMAZING!!! So now I have to make it for Christmas! Thank you for your step-by-step, which was actually very helpful. Definitely your fan for life!

    Reply

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Hey cousins, it’s Rosie!

I’m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my family—whether they’re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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