How to Make Candy Candied Yams

Candied yams or sweet potatoes make sweet additions to meals

Candied yams are a side dish created by cooking yams or sweet potatoes with an optional variety of sweet ingredients. The dish is commonly associated with Thanksgiving and is a fixture in the cuisine of the southern United States, providing a sweet contrast to generally savory meals.

Things You'll Need

• 4 or 5 large fresh yams or sweet potatoes
• 1 stick butter
• 9-by-13-inch baking dish
• Medium-sized saucepan
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger root
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 cups marshmallows

Instructions

1. Peel the yams or sweet potatoes (either choice works). Cut into 1 inch cubes while preheating your oven to 400°F.

2. Butter the baking dish and place the sliced yams into it.

3. Melt the remaining butter over medium heat in the saucepan and stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves. Add the water, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and sea salt. Bring to boil and add the maple syrup. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.

4. Pour enough of the mixture over the yams to cover them thoroughly. Cover with aluminum foil and bake on the center rack of your oven. Bake for 45 minutes, occasionally basting with the remaining mixture.

5. Distribute the marshmallows over the top of the potatoes and broil for five to ten minutes until the marshmallows are lightly browned.

6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Baste with any remaining syrup-butter mixture and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Other recipes may substitute ingredients such as caramel or fruit juices to the maple syrup in this one to create changes in flavor. Likewise, some recipes may choose to leave out the marshmallows and replace them with pecans or caramelize the yams with further oven time.

References

• Cooks: Maple Candied Yams
• Betty Crocker: Candied Sweet Potatoes