Seeking a GREAT Candied Yams Recipe

Updated on December 23, 2008
B.P. asks from Keller, TX
19 answers

Greetings, Mamas --

I have never been big on yams / sweet potatoes / etc., but this Christmas I would like to try my hand at candied yams using fresh potatoes, pecans, marshmallows, etc. I am finding a bajillion recipes online, but nothing that sounds "great." Can anyone help me with a recipe?

Thanks a bunch for sharing your recipe, and Merry Christmas!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Dallas on

Are you looking for "candied" or "casserole?" Because all of the recipes you have received so far are for a casserole . . . not candied.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.L.

answers from Dallas on

I have a great Sweet Potato Casserole. It has a brown sugar and pecan crust for the topping. No marshmallows though. If you'd like it, PM me and I'll email it to you.

Tamara

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Dallas on

This recipe came from a Southern Living cookbook and is a
family favorite! We have converted many people who once hated sweet potatoes with this recipe. Please let me know if you try it. Merry Christmas!

Best Ever Caramel Sweet Potatoes

Makes 8 servings

6-7 medium sweet potatoes(not the little skinny ones)
2 sticks butter, divided
1 cup sugar, divided
1 cup half and half, divided
1 dash cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
chopped pecans, optional

Boil potatoes with skins on. Test with a fork to make sure they are done. Pour off water and allow to cool a little. Peel and put in a large bowl. They will be real soft. Just put on a cutting board and slice open the skin and allow it to lay on the board and scoop out the potato. Messy but easy. Mash with a stick of butter. It doesn't have to be as smooth as mashed potatoes.
Add 1/2 cup half and half, 1/2 cup sugar, and cinnamon. Spread in a large 9x13 casserole dish, making several low places.
Sauce: Melt 1 stick butter in a skillet. Add 1/2 cup sugar
and continue to cook on medium high stirring constantly
until it changes to caramel color. Remove from heat and
carefully add 1/2 cup half and half. The sugar will lump together. Return to heat and stir until sugar dissolves and it is smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over sweet potatoes. Bake at 350 for
20 minutes.

**You can sprinkle with chopped pecans before baking.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B.,

Here's avery quick and easy recipe but you don't use fresh sweet potatoes, use the canned ones.

1 can yams (large)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter melted (1/2 stick)
2 eggs

Mix with mixer and pour into casserole dish

TOPPING:

1/2 cup butter
3 tbsp flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pecans

Spread on top and bake at 350 for 30 minutes (uncovered)

It tastes like a combination of a pumpkin/pecan pie! It's almost a dessert itself!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Dallas on

This recipe is our FAVORITE and I would consider it GREAT! It doesn't have the marshmellows, but seriously, we love it!
Sweet Potato Pie

This makes an 8 X 8 square. To prepare a 9 X 13 I double this recipe but cut back a little on the sugar and butter.

3 C mashed sweet potatoes
1 C sugar
½ tsp salt
2 eggs
½ stick butter
½ C milk
½ tsp vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Pour into a casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Topping:

½ C flour
1 C brown sugar
1 C chopped pecans
½ stick of butter

Top with this mixture. Heat in oven for 30 minutes until bubbly.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.J.

answers from Dallas on

My Great Grandmothers recipe handed down...

2- 29 ounce cans of Golden cut sweet potatoes in syrup
1/2 cup of raisins
1 table spoon of brown sugar
teaspoon of cinnimon (powdered)
1/2 bag of mini marshmallows

bring potatoes to a boil and let boil for 2-3 minutes then strain potatoes from liquid (BUT SAVE LIQUID FOR LATER)

mash potatoes good with masher and add some of the liquid that you strained back AS NEEDED for a good mashed potato consistancy. then add brown sugar and raisins and cinnimon (taste, then add more cinnimon or brown sugar if you feel you need more)

then place in pyrex baking dish and cover with miniature marshmalows

Then place uncovered in preheated oven (375 F) and bake until marshmallows are brown (careful to keep watch as they will burn quickly)

you can also add some chopped walnuts if you prefer. with the raisins like 1/4-1/2 cup depending on how finely chopped.

Hope that helps!
A. J

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.D.

answers from Dallas on

This is from Cooking Light. It was never a tradition in our family, but my husband and I love the dish, so we decided to make it a regular on our holiday menu when we found this recipe. We add marshmallows because they're yummy, but we usually only do it on half for those who think it's too sweet or that they're too grown up to like marshmallows!

If this is hard to read, I'd be glad to email you it as a word document.

SPICED SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
INGREDIENTS:
3 pounds sweet potatoes
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
¼ or more cup chopped pecans
marshmallows (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Pierce potatoes with a fork and microware for 16 minutes or until tender, turning half-way
through cooking time. Let cool enough to handle. Cut potatoes and scoop pulp into a large bowl.
Add sugar, butter, OJ, and spices, and combine. Add eggs and mix well. Use a mixer if you want a real smooth
consistency, but a potato masher works well, too.
Spoon mixture into a 1½ quart baking dish and sprinkle with pecans (and marshmallows, if you choose). Bake
for 45 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Dallas on

B.; my personal recipe...boil 6-10 yams just covered with water until still a bit hard (15 min)..cool and remove peels. Then place them in a casserole dish in large chunks. Put pats of butter all over, sprinkle with lots of brown sugar, add some orange juice over the top-about a 1/3 cup. I also drizzle rum over mine-any kind we happen to have in the house. Bake at 350 until bobbly and golden!. If you choose you can also add marshmallow and nuts..then place back in oven for a bit.
This is fool proof and any amounts of ingredients turn out, always had RAVE reviews! Happy Christmas!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from Dallas on

Here's one that's kind of a pain to make but it's soooo worth it.

Yams in Orange Cups

6 lb large yams
3/4 c marshmellow creme
9 Tbsp Butter, room temperature
6 Tbsp maple syrup
3 Lg eggs
9 Lg oranges
36 pecan halves (optional)

Pierce each yam all over with a fork. Working in 2 batches, cook yams in microwave for 15 minutes. Turn yams over, cook until tender, about 12 minutes longer. Cut yams in half & scoop pulp into a large bowl. Add marshmellow creme, butter & syrup; mash until smooth. Season with salt & pepper if desired. Whisk in eggs. (All of this can be made a day in advance, just cover & chill.)

Cut oranges in half, press out juice (hey! fresh orange juice!) and remove pulp. I've found that a melon baller works great for removing the pulp. Place oranges on 2 baking sheets. If the oranges won't stay upright, cut a thin slice on the bottom to create a flat surface. (Note: I've made the oranges a day in advance as well, I just covered the enitre baking sheet with plastic wrap & put them in the fridge.) Divide yam mix equally among orange cups. Top each with a dollop of marshmellow creme and 2 pecan halves. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.

Good luck and let me know if you end up using this recipe and what everyone thought of it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Dallas on

I made this recipe for Thanksgiving and it was a HIT!!! Not your typical sweet potato recipe. It's called Tropical Sweet Potato Casserole. It is full of brown sugar, run, pineapple, cinnamon. The topping is made of brown sugar, pecans, and marshmallows. I don't remember where I got it but found a similar one on myrecipes.com. I made it for both sides of my family and everyone asked for the recipe. I will be making it again next year :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B.:

Put thinly sliced baking apples in the bottom of the baking dish, then sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and sugar on top - then top with your yams, marshmallows, etc.

It tastes like apple pie - so yummy!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B.. I have a sweet potato souffle recipe that I have gotten rave reviews for. It's not my own but every time i've fixed it people say how good it is, not too sweet like sweet potatoes can get when mixed with marshmallows. If you want to check it out, go to my blog here:
http://whoputmeinchargeofthesepeople.blogspot.com/2008/11...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.R.

answers from San Antonio on

I know you say you've looked online, but if you haven't already looked, check out allrecipes.com. I use it all the time. You can search on the dish, the ingredients, etc. The best part, though, is that all the recipes are rated by the users from 1 to 5 stars. I only use the recipes with 4 or 5 stars, and generally go for the ones rated by lots of people.

I found a wonderful sweet potato casserole there a couple of years ago that I love. But each person's idea of a "great" recipe is very subjective. You can look at dozens of recipes and see which has the ingredients best match your ideal for a dish.

Also, be sure to read the reviews. Many contain very useful information about what worked or didn't work when other cooks prepared the dish. Some give ideas on how to tweak the recipe, add other ingredients, or what they served it with.

Hope this helps. Merry Christmas!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from Dallas on

I can't tell you how many times I've had to give out this recipe. I felt the same way when I tried it. My husband even likes it and he dislikes yams...

Sweet Potato Casserole
(some claim this tastes more like dessert – always a huge hit at Thanksgiving!)

1 large can sweet potatoes, mashed, set aside

Heat and mix together:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 stick butter

Remove from heat and add to potatoes. Mix. Add 1/2 cup milk and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix. Put in a 9x12 pan. Spread topping (recipe below) and bake.

Topping
Melt 1 stick of butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar in a small pan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and had 3/4 cup flour (mixture will be thick). Spread over sweet potato mixture and sprinkle 1 cup of chopped pecans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.Z.

answers from Dallas on

Promise, this one rocks! I make it every year (by request) for work, chuch, family...loads of "stuff" but it's great! If you like sweet.

4c boil/peel sweet potatoes (four large ones)
1-1/2 sticks butter
1c sugare
1tsp nutmeg
1tsp cinnamon
4 eggs
2c PET Evaporated milk
It will be very liquid-y by now...
Mix well and pour in a glass dish (9x13)
30 minutes, 400 degrees

Prepare topping (the "awesome-ness" part:
1 tube of Ritz Crackers crushed in plastic bag (kids can do)
1c brown sugar
1c pecan pieces (small pieces)
1-1/2 sticks butter (melted - microwave works fine)
Mix well in blender

Once dish is ready, take out and fluff it with fork b/c it will look like a cake...crumble topping and spread out evenly over dish. Bake another 10 minutes just before serving...or before leaving the house - put in keep warm container or wrap with foil and towel.

Email if questions, ____@____.com. Promise, it's GREAT!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Lubbock on

I found one on line using canned yams. Using the large can - or 40 oz., drain the juice and put the cut potatoes in a casserole or oblong pan. Then mix together 1/2 stick of butter or margarine, with 1/ cup flour and 3/4 cup brown sugar, it makes sort of a crumb topping. Spread over the potatoes. Then dump about 10 oz. of mini marshmallows on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes, or until the marshmallows start browning. This was good a great hit yesterday at the family early Christmas.
J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Dallas on

Merry Christmas B.
I have tweeked this recipe over the years til I got it perfect. I dont like mine mushy where the potaoes are real smooth but I also don't like the whole chunks of the potatoes. I use canned but this can be used with fresh sweet potatoes also.
Good luck.

YAM CASSEROLE
From the kitchen of: Candy Bywater

1/2 cup sour cream
1 egg yoke
1 stick melted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tsp frozen orange juice-undiluted
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp mace
1/2 tsp salt
Sprinkle of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg & cloves
1/2 cup nuts
Mini marshmallows
Four 29oz canned yams – drain well

In large bowl mix well with mixer:
Melted butter, sour cream, egg yoke, cream & OJ.
Add the rest of ingredients except yams &
marshmallows. Mix until smooth.
Add yams & mash each yam ONCE with potato masher.
Don’t over mash.
Gently fold yams & about 20 mini marshmallows.
Pour into 2 buttered casseroles & top with
more marshmallows.

Bake 350° for 30 minutes.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.W.

answers from Dallas on

APPLE SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

3 medium sweet potatoes(peeled & sliced)
2 cups of sliced & peeled apples(I use Granny Smith)
3 cups of miniature marshmallows
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
chopped nuts --optional
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tbsp. butter

Place sweet potatoes in puttered baking dish, add apples layered with marshmallows. Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon & nuts-sprinkle over marshmallows. Mix cornstarch with 1/2 cup water until smooth, pour over all. Dot with butter, cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until potatoes & apples are soft/tender. Yields 6 servings.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.R.

answers from Dallas on

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

3 c. sweet potatoes, mashed (3 large cans)
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
½ c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
½ tsp. cloves

Mix and put into buttered dish.

1 c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. butter
1 c. chopped nuts

Mix and sprinkle on top of potatoes. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 350o.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions