![A dish full of yams with a treacle being poured over the top.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Candied-Yams-Featured-Image-150x150.jpg)
Learn how to make this classic holiday side dish of candied yams with just a few simple ingredients and steps. Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner or any time of year.
![A dish full of candied yams with a treacle being poured over the top.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Candied-Yams-Hero-1.jpg)
Of course, this recipe is super popular during the holiday times, but if you're like us sweet potatoes (yams) are a staple year round.
Naturally, the kids gravitate toward this recipe due to it's overly sweet flavors.
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👍 Why My Recipe
My cooking skills were shared with me by the older generations down here in the bayou state. Their southern-style of cooking makes this kind of dish especially popular with the entire family.
🧅 Ingredients
![An overhead shot of ingredients needed to make candied yams, with text overlay.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Candied-Yams-Ingredients.jpg)
- Yams (or sweet potatoes)
- Salted butter
- Light Brown Sugar
- Granulated Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Orange Juice
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
🥣 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
![A collage of four images showing how to make candied yams, recipe steps 1-4.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Candied-Yams-Recipe-Steps-1-4.jpg)
- Step 1: Peel and slice yams into ½" coins.
- Step 2: Add butter, sugars, orange juice, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice to a covered pot and bring to a boil, stirring together.
- Step 3: Add yams to the sugar mixture and evenly toss everything together.
- Step 4: Cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
![A collage of 2 images showing how to make candied yams, recipe steps 5-6.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Candied-Yams-Recipe-Steps-5-6.jpg)
- Step 5: When the yams are fork tender, remove with a slotted spoon to your serving dish.
- Step 6: Continue to cook down the sugar mixture without a lid, until nice and thick like treacle.
- Step 7: Pour over the top of the yams, then serve.
Hint: Due to the temperature of the hot sugar, the yams will cook well make the slices thick (at least ½") and don't stir too often or they'll break up.
🔄 Substitutions and Variations
- Warm Spices - instead of pumpkin pie spice, you could use a mixture of ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger and all spice (which is basically what pumpkin pie spice is).
- Salt - if you only have unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the recipe to enhance flavors.
- Marshmallow - You could either mix this into the sugar mixture, or arrange mini marshmallows on top and brown the top.
- Dark Brown Sugar - instead of light brown. You may need to add less.
![An overhead shot of a dish filled with candied yams.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Candied-Yams-Hero-2.jpg)
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🔌 Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
You'll only need a peeler, or a sharp knife to peel and slice the yams. A saucepan with a lid, and an 11x7" casserole dish. I have some affiliate links in the recipe card below if you want to know more.
📘 More Thanksgiving Recipes
For dessert, you could try my Pineapple Upside Down Cake, or my Amish Pumpkin Pie (they're so good!)
🧊 Storage
Once the candied yams have cooled completely store in an airtight container, or cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat any leftovers in the microwave for just a minute or so.
💡 Tips
Expert Tip: Don't skip on the brown sugar glaze, this will really bring the dish together and give that wonderful syrup like texture.
![A fork digging into a dish full of candied yams, a gooey sticky treacle oozing down.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Candied-Yams-Hero-3.jpg)
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Candied Yams
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb Yams peeled and sliced into ½" coins
- 8 Tablespoons Salted Butter
- ¾ Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 ea Orange just the juice
Instructions
- Peel and slice the yams (sweet potatoes) into ½" slices/coins.
- In a large pot add the butter, sugars, vanilla, orange juice and pumpkin pie spice and apply medium-high heat. Stir well until everything is combined.
- Add the sliced yams and toss in the sugar butter mixture until totally coated.
- Cover the pot and allow a high simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring half way.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the yams to a 11x7" baking dish.
- Continue to cook down the sugar mixture, without the lid, until thickened and treacle-like.
- Pour over the top of the yams, then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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