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Candied yams are a must-have during the holiday season. This classic dish combines the natural sweetness of yams with a rich, buttery syrup made from dark brown sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream. Topped with a candied mixture of pecans, coconut, and mini marshmallows, these sweet yams are the perfect complement to any holiday meal. Whether you’re preparing for Thanksgiving of Christmas, these candied yams will stand out on your holiday table.
The Chemistry of Candied Yams
In the United States, the term yam is often used interchangeably with sweet potatoes, but they are actually different root vegetables. Real yams are native to South America and have a brown skin that’s rough and bark-like, with white flesh that is starchier and drier than sweet potatoes. On the other hand, sweet potatoes (often mislabeled as yams) have smoother skin, bright orange flesh, and a naturally sweet flavor. For this recipe, you can use garnet yams or large sweet potatoes, both of which are commonly available in grocery stores.
What is in candied yams?
Yams or Sweet Potatoes
The main ingredient provides a natural sweetness and tender texture.
Granulated Sugar
Adds sweetness, provides a caramelized flavor and crisp texture. Sugar assists with rising when creamed with butter. It helps add moisture to your treat and helps it evenly spread as it melts into a liquid in the heat of the oven. Sugar also helps with naturally preserving your baked treat.
Vanilla Extract
When using pure vanilla extract, as opposed to imitation flavoring, it will add the deep rich flavor that everybody wants in a treat.
Heavy Whipping Cream
Adds creaminess to the yam mixture.
Unsalted Butter
It is always important to use unsalted butter when baking. If you use salted butter, you have no way of knowing how much salt you are adding to your dough or batter and it will result in an overly salted treat.
Butter adds fats to your dough or batter which helps with moistness, flavor and texture. Butter melts at body temperature, which creates a ‘melt in your mouth’ sensation.
When baking with butter the temperature is important. If the butter is too warm your treat will melt down too fast and overspread in the oven, leaving you with a greasy, flat mess. If your butter is too cold it will have the opposite problem and not melt down enough, leaving your treat too thick.
Eggs
Adds both a protein (egg whites) and fat (egg yolks). The egg whites help with rising because, when foamed, little air pockets get trapped inside the egg white mixture. The water content in egg whites encourages steam while baking, which helps with gluten formation, resulting in nice and thick treats. Egg yolks have emulsifying properties that bring batters and doughs together and help them from collapsing. Unless otherwise specified, always use large eggs.
All-purpose Flour
Builds structure as it absorbs liquids and expands. All-purpose flour falls in the middle of bread flour (high in gluten) and cake flour (low in gluten). It’s exactly what it is named, all-purpose, the most universal flour that can be used in most baked goods.
Brown Sugar
Is granulated sugar with a little molasses mixed in. Molasses is a somewhat smoky flavored natural sweetener, which makes brown sugar a bit sweeter than granulated sugar. Brown sugar draws more moisture into your treat, keeping it softer for longer. It’s also more acidic, which means it will help activate your baking soda.
Shredded Coconut
Adds texture and sweetness to the toppings.
Chopped Pecans
Adds a crunch to your treat, while also slightly offsetting the sweetness and sugar.
Melted Butter
It is important to use melted butter when it is called for. Melted butter evenly coats the gluten in the recipe and helps bind the ingredients. You can also use melted butter as a substitute for vegetable oil.
Mini Marshmallows
Create a gooey, sweet topping when melted.
How do you make candied yams?
Yams
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Wash and pierce three large yams with a fork a few times, then wrap them in aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes or until soft.
- Peel and mash the yams. Once the yams are cooked and cooled enough to handle, peel them and place them in a large mixing bowl. Mash then until smooth.
- Mix the ingredients. Add 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, and 2 eggs to the mashed yams. Stir until fully combined.
- Prepare the baking dish. Pour the yam mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Topping
- Make the topping. In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of shredded coconut, and 1/2 cup of melted butter. Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans.
- Top the yams. Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the yam mixture.
- Bake the yams. Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees and bake for 57 minutes or until the candied mixture is golden brown and bubbling.
- Add the marshmallows. Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle 2 cups of mini marshmallows on top. Place back in the oven for 3 more minutes until the marshmallows are golden and gooey.
- Cool and serve. Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
How to Store Candied Yams
Store leftover candied yams in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
You can just prepare the yam mixture and the topping separately a day ahead if you like. Store them in the refrigerator and assemble them just before baking. This makes it a perfect make-ahead dish for busy holiday meal prep.
Serving Suggestions
These candied yams are best served alongside roasted turkey, ham, or pork chops at a holiday meal. Their sweet and savory flavors make them an excellent side dish for any family gathering.
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Why make candied yams?
These candied yams are perfect for any holiday gathering, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas. They also make a great side dish for a Sunday dinner or any special occasion where you want to impress your guest with a classic holiday side dish. Whether served alongside savory mains or enjoyed on their own, these yams are sure to be a hit on your dinner table.
This yam recipe is incredibly easy to prepare and delivers a sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with any holiday gathering. The tender yams are topped with a delicious candied glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the natural flavor of the yams. Using real yams or garnet yams gives this dish a deeper, richer flavor, although sweet potatoes can also be used if true yams are unavailable in your grocery stores. This recipe is versatile, allowing you to make ahead and save time during the busy holiday season.
Enjoy baking these delightful and delicious candied yams that are sure to become a family favorite. With their sweet flavor, gooey mini marshmallows, and crunchy pecan topping, they are the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with loved ones!
FAQs
What makes candied yams different from sweet potato casserole?
Candied yams are typically made by cooking yams with a sweet syrup and butter mixture, then topping them with mini marshmallows or pecans. Sweet potato casserole, on the other hand, often contains mashed sweet potatoes and is sometimes topped with a pecan streusel or marshmallows, making it more of a sweet potato pie-like dish.
Can I use canned yams for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute canned yams for fresh yams. Strain the canned yams and skip the baking step. Add the yams to the dish and proceed with the recipe as directed.
How do I store leftover candied yams?
Any leftover yams can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.
What makes candied yams a perfect holiday side dish?
The sweetness of candied yams balances out savory dishes like pork chops, turkey, or ham, making them the perfect holiday side dish. Combining buttery syrup, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy pecans creates a comforting, nostalgic flavor that pairs well with any classic soul food side dish.
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Candied Yams
Ingredients
- 3 yams
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 eggs
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
- Wash and stab the yams with a fork a few times, bake for 30 minutes until soft
- Peel the yams after they are cooked and mash them
- Mix the mashed yams with sugar, vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream, butter and eggs
- Pour the yam mixture into a greased 9×13 pan
- In a mixing bowl, combine all of the topping ingredients
- Sprinkle the topping on the yam mixture
- Turn the oven down to 325 degrees, place the pie in the oven and bake for 57 minutes
- Top the yams with the mini marshmallows and place back in the oven for 3 more minutes.
- Remove and allow to cool for 15 minutes before enjoying
Nutrition
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