Classic candied yams with marshmallows are a holiday favorite. It’s a no-fuss dish that tastes delicious. Therefore, I’m going to share with you the best classic candied yams with marshmallow recipe to add to your holiday feast.

Classic candied yams with marshmallows are baked with butter, sugar, and flavorful spices that make side dishes a stunning addition to your dining table. Moreover, this classic candied yams with marshmallows recipe are so incredible that you can make it any time of the year.

This dish takes 25 minutes of preparation time and 80 minutes to bake. Before we move on to the recipe, I would like to clear up the confusion most people come across while searching for this recipe.

Some classic candied yams with marshmallows recipes call the main ingredient yam, but when you see the ingredients list, it says sweet potato. So, it’s natural to wonder whether yam and sweet potatoes are two different things. However, this isn’t true.

Yams and sweet potatoes are the same things. Mary-Frances Heck, the author of Sweet Potatoes, explains that the reason for the name mix-up is because Louisiana sweet potato growers in the 1930s marketed a new breed of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes as “yams” to distinguish their crop from other states’ produce. “Most of the so-called yams you see in American grocery stores are actually orange-fleshed sweet potatoes,” she says.

So now that you know this crucial information, let’s check out the classic candied yams with marshmallows recipe below and prepare the best holiday feast.

Other Thanksgiving Recipes That You Can Try

• Zesty Garden Turkey Club Sandwich
• Turkey Avocado Sandwich
• Deli Turkey
• Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
• Spatchcocked Smoked Turkey
• Bourbon Pecan Pie
• Salted Caramel Pie
• Purple Sweet Potato Pie
• Spinach Spoon Bread
• Turkey Giblet Gravy

What Equipment Will You Need To Make Classic Candied Yams with Marshmallows? 

1. Baking Pan/ Casserole – You will need a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan or a shallow 3-quart casserole to bake the classic candied yams with marshmallows.
2. Peeler – A peeler will be required to remove the peel of the sweet potato.
3. Knife – A knife will be needed to cut the sweet potatoes into small cubes.
4. Cutting Board – A cutting board will be needed to cut the sweet potatoes.
5. Saucepan – A saucepan will be used to make the sweet and spice-infused sweet potato sauce mixture.
6. Stove – A stove will be used to prepare the sauce mixture.
7. Ladle – A ladle will be required to stir the sauce mixture.
8. Foil – A foil will be used to cover the baking pan.
9. Oven – An oven will be used to bake the classic candied yams with marshmallows.

How Much Time Will You Need To Make Classic Candied Yams with Marshmallows? 

Preparation Time	Baking Time	Total Time
25 Minutes	1 Hour 20 Minutes	1 Hour 45 Minutes

What Ingredients Will You Need To Make Classic Candied Yams With Marshmallows? 

• Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes – To make the classic candied yams with marshmallows recipe, you will need four pounds of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. As the name suggests, they are bright orange in color and have a sweet taste.
• Brown Sugar – To make the sauce mixture, you will require ⅔ cup packed brown sugar. Depending on the taste you prefer, you can use light or brown sugar. While light brown sugar has a milder flavor, dark brown sugar has a more intense flavor.
• Unsalted Butter – To make the sauce rich and buttery, we will need six tablespoons of unsalted butter. 
• Cinnamon – To add warmth to the sauce, you will need one teaspoon of ground cinnamon. 
• Kosher Salt – To balance and bring out all the flavors, you will need half a teaspoon of kosher salt. 
• Nutmeg – For a warm and nutty flavor, you will need a dash of ground nutmeg. 
• Ground Ginger – For a peppery sweet taste and spicy aroma, you will also need a dash of ground nutmeg. 
• Vanilla Extract – For a hint of vanilla flavor in the dish, you will need to add one teaspoon of vanilla extract.
• Marshmallows – To add sweetness and a chewy mouthfeel, you will need four cups of mini marshmallows to top the dish.

Steps To Make Classic Candied Yams With Marshmallows

1. Prepare Sweet Potato Cubes

Before we begin dealing with sweet potatoes, preheat the oven to 375 F. Butter a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan or shallow 3-quart casserole. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 3/4-inch cubes. 

You will have about 10 to 12 cups of cubed sweet potatoes. Arrange the sweet potato cubes in the prepared baking pan or casserole. 

2. Make The Sauce

In a 1 1/4-quart saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ginger, and place it over medium heat. Let the mixture come to a boil and stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. This should take you about 7 to 8 minutes. Stir the vanilla extract into the sauce mixture.

3. Bake The Sweet Potatoes

Pour the sugar and butter mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes. Cover the baking pan or casserole with foil tightly and bake for 45 minutes.

Uncover the sweet potatoes after 45 minutes and gently stir them to coat them with the liquid. Continue baking for about 30 minutes and stir occasionally or until the potatoes are tender and the liquid is syrupy.

4. Line Mini Marshmallows

Remove the baking pan from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450 F. When the oven reaches 450 F temperature, cover the sweet potatoes with the mini marshmallows. Place the pan into the oven again and bake for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until the marshmallows are partially melted and turn golden brown in color.

Can You Make Classic Candied Yams With Marshmallows Ahead of Time?

Classic candied yams with marshmallows can be made in advance. You can make the dish assembled in a casserole dish or a baking pan and keep it in the refrigerator three days in advance. You can also keep the dish in the freezer for 2-3 months.

If you plan to keep raw classic candied yams in the refrigerator, you can cover the dish in plastic wrap for three days. On the day you wish to bake it, take it out of the refrigerator and follow the baking instructions mentioned above. Finish with marshmallows and serve. 

You can also freeze the candied yam for up to 3 months ahead of time.

How Can You Store Candied Yams With Marshmallows Leftovers?

Candied yams with marshmallows leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Before consuming, you can reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in the oven.

Nutritional Information

Calories	344 kcal
Fat	9 grams
Monounsaturated Fat	grams
Polyunsaturated Fat	grams
Saturated Fat	6 grams
Carbohydrates	63 grams
Protein	5 grams
Fiber	8 grams
Cholesterol	23 milligrams
Sodium	127 milligrams
Potassium	1103 milligrams
Sugar	30 grams
Calcium	105 milligrams
Iron	2 milligrams
Vitamin C	44 milligram

What Will The Classic Candied Yams With Marshmallows Look And Taste Like? 

Classic candied yams with marshmallows is a stunning holiday side dish that combines all the flavors of fall with cinnamon and toasty marshmallows! You dig into a chewy and toasty layer of marshmallows and sweet potatoes infused with warm flavors from the spices. 

As for the looks, this dish looks delightful. It starts with a golden-brown layer of marshmallows and ends with an orange layer of sweet potatoes.

Recipe Card

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Classic candied yams with marshmallows is a spectacular side dish that you must try. To find out more such holiday recipes head to our recipe sections. Also, don’t forget to come back and tell me how this dish turned out to be for you.