Southern Candied Yams with Marshmallows and Pecans are for those that can’t decide between marshmallows or pecans. Sticky, sweet baked yams are topped with mini marshmallows and pecans for a crunchy, toasty, sweet topping you just can’t resist.

Overhead shot of candied yams in a white baking dish.


Southern Candied Yams

Memories of Thanksgiving when I was growing up always had a casserole dish stuffed to the brim with toasted marshmallows. It wasn’t until you dug a spoon into it that you even knew what was beneath that toasty cloud of sweetness. For all we knew, it could have been s’mores dip!

But, sure enough, when you pulled that spoon out of the dish it was loaded with gooey, sticky yams coated in a thick blanket of toasted marshmallow. For some, it was heaven, for me, much too sweet. I always reached for the Sweet Potato Casserole which was more of a soufflé than a casserole. I still shun that overly sweet candied yam casserole but that doesn’t mean I skip the yams completely.

I created a much less cloyingly sweet Southern Candied Yam recipe that’s super simple and not made from canned yams at all. That’s what was used for that super sweet yam casserole I remember from years ago so I knew that fresh yams needed to happen in my revamped version of this holiday side dish.

In addition to fresh yams, I still love the marshmallow but a hint of them in the form of mini marshmallows, just a smattering, would totally do the trick. BUT, I also wanted some crunch to add much needed texture to the soft yams…plus, why not? Right?

Ingredients

  • Yams – Yams are sometimes mistaken for sweet potatoes which can be used as a substitute in this recipe. Either way, they can be made without any other modifications to the dish.
  • Butter – I use salted butter for this recipe. If you use unsalted butter be sure to add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the dish.
  • Sugar – Both granulated white sugar and brown sugar are used for a little extra sweetness and depth. You can sub out the white sugar with all brown sugar if you want a little more richness.
  • Spices – Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are used for flavorful background notes.
  • Orange Juice – We love using fresh squeezed orange just for a tart, fresh contrast.
  • Marshmallows – Just a few mini marshmallows give you that classic holiday sweet potato nostalgia.
  • Pecans – We love the pecans for a textural crunch. Feel free to skip them.

For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.

Candied yams in a white casserole dish with a copper serving spoon.

How To Make Candied Yams

Easy Candied Yams come together pretty easily, the most time spent will be on peeling and slicing the potatoes. If you have a mandoline, it will cut your prep time in half. If you don’t own a mandoline or you lost the slicing blade, like I did, you can just cut your potatoes into rounds approximately 1/2 inch thick with a sharp chef’s knife.

  1. Peel and slice your yams into 1/2 inch rounds. Stack and arrange in a baking dish coated with cooking spray. (I used a 2 quart baking dish for this recipe)
  2. In a small saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and orange juice. 
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil and remove from the heat, stir to combine.
  4. Pour the syrup mixture over the yams and toss to coat a little bit. (Your yams will not be completely coated, this will happen in the oven.)
  5. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  6. Uncover the casserole and toss the yams to coat in the sauce. Cover and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
  7. Uncover the yams and toss to coat in the sauce again. 
  8. Top with the marshmallows and pecans. Return to the oven and bake the yams for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
  9. Remove the yams from the oven and serve immediately.
Yams on a bamboo cutting board peeled and the ends cut off.
Yams sliced and arranged in a row in a white baking dish.
Yams in a baking dish with syrup being poured over them.

What are Candied Yams

This Southern Candied Yam recipe is just what you need when your guests are both team marshmallow and team pecan. I know I’m undecided so it just seems fitting to top your baked yams with both. 

A classic holiday side dish, these homemade Candied Yams are made from scratch and are super easy to whip up. The yams are baked in a syrupy sauce and then topped with mini marshmallows and chopped pecans at the end of cooking. 

Candied yams with a copper spoon.

Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes

Contrary to popular believe, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same thing. Real yams are an entirely different root vegetable with starchy, bland flesh and thick, bumpy skin that’s similar in appearance to tree bark.

Sweet Potatoes, on the other hand, have a dark, reddish brown skin that’s thinner and a little smoother. While there are several versions of sweet potatoes at the grocery store, the most commonly found sweet potato is the orange sweet potato. A lot of people will say these are yams, but, technically…real yams are hard to find in the United States.

You can also find white sweet potatoes which are less sweet than the orange but you can totally use them interchangeably.

BUT, most likely, the yams you buy at the grocery store in the US are, actually, sweet potatoes. But at least you know the difference now. 🙂

Candied yams in a white staub baking dish.

What To Serve With Candied Yams

We love to serve these candied yams at Thanksgiving alongside our favorite turkey recipe but you can also serve them with this easy Spiral Ham recipe!

You can also serve them for a Sunday dinner with this extra special Prime Rib Beef Roast or this Beef Tenderloin Roast. 

More Easy Holiday Side Dish Ideas

Want to see what else we’re cooking up this season? Follow us on Instagram!

Overhead shot of candied yams in a white baking dish.

Get the Recipe: Southern Candied Yams Recipe

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Super easy Southern Candied Yams are topped with toasty marshmallows and buttery pecans.
5 from 3 votes
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Ingredients

  • 5  medium sized yams
  • 8  tbsp  salted butter
  • 1  cup  granulated sugar
  • 1/4  cup  brown sugar
  • 1  tsp  ground cinnamon
  • 1/2  tsp  ground nutmeg
  • 1/4  tsp  ground ginger
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1  tbsp  orange juice
  • 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Equipment

  • baking dish

Instructions 

  • Peel and slice your yams into 1/2 inch rounds. Stack and arrange in a baking dish coated with cooking spray. (I used a 2 quart baking dish for this recipe)
  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt and orange juice.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and remove from the heat, stir to combine.
  • Pour the syrup mixture over the yams and toss to coat a little bit. (Your yams will not be completely coated, this will happen in the oven.)
  • Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  • Uncover the casserole and toss the yams to coat in the sauce. Cover and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
  • Uncover the yams and toss to coat in the sauce again.
  • Top with the marshmallows and pecans. Return to the oven and bake the yams for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
  • Remove the yams from the oven and serve immediately.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

You can prep your potatoes in advance by peeling, slicing and storing in an airtight container or zip top bag in the refrigerator. 
Alternatively, you can bake the entire candied yam casserole, cover and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. To reheat, remove the foil and bake at 350 degrees until warmed through.
Calories: 620kcal, Carbohydrates: 114g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 425mg, Potassium: 2180mg, Fiber: 12g, Sugar: 40g, Vitamin A: 732IU, Vitamin C: 46mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 2mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American