Sweet & Gooey Candied Yams with Marshmallows Recipe

Sweet potato lovers will adore this delectable candied yams with marshmallows recipe that promises pure comfort and warmth.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this classic side dish passed through generations.

Rich caramelized flavors mingle with soft, pillowy marshmallows creating an irresistible combination.

Grandmothers across America have perfected this decadent recipe over decades of holiday gatherings.

Each bite delivers a magical blend of sugary sweetness and creamy potato goodness.

Seasonal spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add depth to this traditional favorite.

The crispy marshmallow topping provides a delightful contrast to the smooth, buttery sweet potatoes underneath.

You’ll want to savor every single delicious spoonful of this ultimate holiday side dish.

Candied Yams With Marshmallows FAQ

• Are candied yams the same as sweet potatoes?

Candied yams are made from sweet potatoes, but they’re prepared with a sugary syrup and typically topped with marshmallows, making them much sweeter and more dessert-like than regular roasted sweet potatoes.

• Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?

While fresh sweet potatoes are recommended for the best texture and flavor, you can use canned sweet potatoes in a pinch. Just drain them well and reduce the initial cooking time since they’re already soft.

• How do I know when the sweet potatoes are cooked perfectly?

The sweet potatoes are ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork but they’re not mushy. They should be just tender enough to maintain their shape when mixed with the brown sugar sauce.

• Why do my marshmallows burn quickly?

To prevent burning, watch the marshmallows closely in the last few minutes of baking. Place the dish on a middle oven rack and remove it as soon as they turn golden brown and start to get gooey.

Why Candied Yams With Marshmallows Are So Nostalgic

• Elevate Holiday Comfort: This candied yams recipe transforms a simple side dish into a decadent, crowd-pleasing holiday classic that brings warmth and nostalgia to the table.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: With just 45 minutes total cooking time and straightforward steps, home cooks can effortlessly create a delicious side dish that looks and tastes professionally made.
• Family-Friendly Favorite: The sweet, gooey marshmallow topping and rich brown sugar glaze make this recipe irresistible to both kids and adults, ensuring everyone at the dinner table will be satisfied.
• Perfect Thanksgiving Showstopper: This dish combines traditional flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg with a luxurious presentation, making it an ideal addition to any festive holiday meal.

Ingredients For Candied Yams With Marshmallows

• Sweet Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable with natural sweetness, perfect base for this classic holiday side dish. Orange varieties offer the best flavor and color.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Water: Create a rich, glossy coating that caramelizes and adds deep sweetness to the sweet potatoes. Unsalted butter recommended for better control of saltiness.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Salt: Warm spices that enhance the sweet potato's natural flavor profile. Fresh ground spices provide more intense taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle depth and rounds out the sweet and spicy notes. Pure vanilla extract preferred over imitation.

• Marshmallows: Provides a classic, gooey golden crown to the dish. Large or mini marshmallows work well, depending on preference. Prefer white marshmallows for traditional look.

How To Make Candied Yams With Marshmallows

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly coat with cooking spray or butter. Set your oven to warm up at 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Soften Sweet Potatoes

Fill a large pot with water and add sweet potato chunks. Bring water to a rolling boil and cook potatoes until they’re just soft enough to pierce with a fork (about 10-12 minutes). Drain water completely and set potatoes aside.

Step 3: Create Magical Caramel Sauce

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Water
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Stir ingredients until they transform into a smooth, bubbling mixture. Remove from heat and swirl in vanilla extract.

Step 4: Coat Sweet Potatoes

Transfer cooked sweet potatoes to the prepared baking dish. Pour the caramel sauce over the potatoes and gently toss to ensure every piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 5: First Baking Round

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 6: Add Marshmallow Magic

Remove foil and sprinkle marshmallows evenly across the top. Return to oven and bake uncovered until marshmallows turn golden and puffy (about 10-15 minutes).

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the dish to sit for 5-10 minutes, letting the flavors settle. Serve warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Tips To Get Candied Yams With Marshmallows Just Right

• Optimize Sweet Potato Texture: Boil sweet potatoes just until fork-tender to prevent mushiness, ensuring they maintain a delightful bite and don't turn into a soggy mess.
• Master the Caramel Sauce: Stir brown sugar mixture constantly to create a smooth, glossy coating that evenly embraces each sweet potato chunk without burning.
• Marshmallow Perfection: Watch marshmallows closely during the final baking stage to achieve a golden-brown top without charring, creating a beautiful caramelized finish.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version, or use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a refined sugar-free alternative.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dish up to the point of adding marshmallows a day in advance, then finish baking just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and texture.

How To Store Candied Yams With Marshmallows

• Refrigerate leftover candied yams in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Reheat gently in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of water to help restore moisture and prevent the marshmallows from becoming tough.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as the marshmallows and sweet potatoes will lose their creamy texture and become watery when thawed.
• For best results, enjoy the candied yams fresh or within a few days of preparation.

What To Pair With Candied Yams With Marshmallows

• Pair with Roasted Turkey: The sweet and caramelized flavors of candied yams complement the savory richness of roasted turkey, making them a perfect match for holiday meals like Thanksgiving.
• Serve with Spiced Bourbon Cocktail: A warm bourbon cocktail with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg echoes the spices in the candied yams, creating a delightful flavor harmony.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: A slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer cuts through the marshmallow's sweetness and balances the dish's rich, caramelized notes.
• Complement with Honey-Glazed Ham: The sweet and sticky candied yams provide an excellent side dish that enhances the glazed ham's flavor profile, offering a delicious contrast of textures and tastes.

Tasty Twists On Candied Yams With Marshmallows

• Pecan Paradise: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the sweet potatoes before adding marshmallows for a crunchy nutty texture that adds depth to the classic recipe.
• Bourbon Blaze: Replace water with bourbon in the brown sugar sauce for a rich, warming flavor that elevates the traditional candied yams with a sophisticated touch.
• Citrus Spark: Zest an orange or mandarin into the brown sugar mixture to introduce a bright, tangy note that cuts through the sweetness and brings freshness to the dish.
• Maple Magic: Swap brown sugar with pure maple syrup and add a pinch of ground ginger for a deeper, more complex sweetness that complements the sweet potatoes perfectly.

Candied Yams With Marshmallows Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets sweet indulgence in Classic Candied Yams with Marshmallows, a beloved holiday side dish that melts hearts and delights palates. Caramelized brown sugar and fluffy marshmallows create a nostalgic harmony you’ll crave with every delectable spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) sweet potatoes (about 4–5 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 cups mini marshmallows

Sweeteners and Spices:

• ¾ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Liquid Ingredient:

• ¼ cup water

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious rectangular baking vessel by lightly coating with cooking spray, ensuring comprehensive surface coverage.
2. Slice sweet potatoes into uniform, chunky segments, creating consistent cooking potential.
3. Submerge potato pieces in a generously sized pot filled with cool water, allowing gentle boiling until vegetables transform into tender, easily pierced morsels.
4. Carefully drain potato chunks, allowing residual moisture to evaporate.
5. Craft a luxurious caramelizing liquid by melting butter in a simmering saucepan, gradually incorporating brown sugar, warm water, aromatic cinnamon, fragrant nutmeg, and delicate salt.
6. Whisk the mixture methodically until achieving a silky, effervescent consistency, then remove from thermal source.
7. Introduce vanilla essence into the glossy syrup, stirring to integrate complex flavors.
8. Transfer softened potato pieces into prepared baking dish, gently cascading the spiced caramel mixture across the surface.
9. Delicately fold potatoes, ensuring comprehensive coating without fragmenting delicate pieces.
10. Shield dish with aluminum foil, allowing potatoes to absorb rich, warming flavors during initial baking cycle.
11. Uncover and distribute marshmallows across the glistening surface in an even, artistic arrangement.
12. Return to oven, permitting marshmallows to transform into golden, molten clouds of sweetness.
13. Allow dish to rest momentarily, permitting flavors to harmonize before presenting this comforting delicacy.

Notes

• Drain sweet potatoes thoroughly to prevent excess moisture, ensuring a rich, caramelized coating that sticks perfectly to each chunk.
• Use fresh, high-quality marshmallows for the best golden-brown topping that melts into a dreamy, gooey layer.
• Swap white sugar with maple syrup or honey for a more complex, deeper sweetness that complements the natural flavor of sweet potatoes.
• For a gluten-free version, double-check that all ingredients, especially marshmallows, are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg