My BEST EVER candied yams recipe… sweet and tender candied yams with marshmallows! This classic dish belongs on your next holiday table.
- Why Do People Put Marshmallows on Candied Yams?
- Ingredients for Candied Yams with Marshmallows
- How to Make Baked Candied Yams with Marshmallows
- Canned Yams vs. Fresh Yams Which Should You Use?
- More Candied Yams Recipes & Holiday-Worthy Side Dishes
- Video Tutorial for Baked Candied Yams with Marshmallows
- Candied Yams with Marshmallows
Hey Cousins! Are you ready for another yams recipe? I honestly can’t tell you how good these yams are because there are no words to describe them. I’m making the BEST candied yams recipe with marshmallows!
Now, if this candied yams recipe looks familiar, it’s because I shared it on YouTube many years ago. It’s the same recipe, and this time I’m giving you the written recipe, directions, and a little bit of a history lesson. Why? Because these marshmallow candied yams are just that bomb.com!
Why Do People Put Marshmallows on Candied Yams?
So, why the heck do people pile sweet and gooey marshmallows on top of candied sweet potatoes? Would you even believe me if I told you that sweet potato casserole was created to sell marshmallows?! Cousins, it’s true!
In 1917, executives at the modern-day marshmallow manufacturing company, Angelus Marshmallows, needed a clever way to market their sweet and squishy new product in the United States. They reached out to Janet McKenzie Hill, the founder of the Boston Cooking School Magazine, to develop a small collection of recipes that incorporated marshmallows as an ingredient. And there you have it—the birth of modern-day sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping!
Are sweet potatoes and marshmallows a Southern thing?
Are sweet potatoes a Southern thing? Yes, most definitely! Sweet potatoes—or yams—were brought to America from Western Africa and found their popularity in the South. Yams are now a staple in Southern and Soul Food recipes. Enjoying a good old-fashioned sweet potato pie is very much a Southern thing. The marshmallows, however, well, that’s just an American thing! You’ll be hard-pressed to find marshmallows on any sweet potato or yams casserole in another part of the world.
Are candied yams and candied sweet potatoes the same thing?
Is there really a difference between candied yams and candied sweet potatoes? Technically, yes—traditional yams are different in taste and appearance than traditional sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have that trademark orange (or purple) color; they’re sweeter and widely available in the US. Real yams have rough, bark-like skin, are starchy, and can be toxic if eaten raw. If you want true yams for any recipe, you’ll likely have to go to a specialty African, Asian, or Caribbean grocer. Candied yams and candied sweet potatoes refer to the same dish—American sweet potatoes baked until tender in a sweet syrup made with brown sugar and butter.
Ingredients for Candied Yams with Marshmallows
So, after that history lesson, let’s get on with the recipe! The ingredients you need to make yams with marshmallows are similar to other candied yams recipes I’ve shared before. Here’s everything you need.
- Medium-Sized Yams: American sweet potatoes are usually between 6-10 oz. each, so you’ll need about 2 pounds to make this recipe.
- Dark Brown Sugar & White Sugar: sugars caramelize with salted butter to make the base of the candied yams sauce.
- Spices: classic spices for yams include ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, which is what I use in this recipe.
- Vanilla: a hint of vanilla extract is all you need for flavor.
- Marshmallows: need I say more?! I use mini marshmallows.
What kind of marshmallows should I use on candied yams?
Did y’all know there are so many kinds of marshmallows?! Flavored, stuffed, candied, cereal, fluff… you name it. However, plain ol’ white marshmallows are what we need for these candied yams.
Some tips for perfect marshmallow usage:
- Use miniature marshmallows if you want less coverage or smaller marshmallows. You can use fewer for small pockets of toasted fluff or more for full coverage.
- Use large marshmallows, or campfire marshmallows, if you want a larger marshmallow-to-sweet potato ratio. Campfire marshmallows toast beautifully, puff up a little bit, then shrink into gooey, sweet pockets of goodness.
- If you’re feeling really adventurous, make a homemade marshmallows recipe! The flavor of from-scratch marshmallows can’t be beat, even though they take some effort.
- The amount of marshmallows you use is totally up to you. I use 1.5 cups of mini marshmallows, which is not full coverage on top of the yams. I’d recommend not using less than a cup unless you’re making a smaller batch.
How to Make Baked Candied Yams with Marshmallows
The process is very similar if you’ve made any of my holiday yam recipes before. It’s such an easy recipe and takes less than an hour. During the holidays, that’s precious cooking time you’re saving!
Below is a quick overview of how to make baked candied yams with marshmallows! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for complete instructions and ingredient measurements.
- Wash, peel, and slice the fresh sweet potatoes. Cut them up in chunks or rounds—totally up to you. Just make sure to cut them into similar size pieces so they cook evenly.
- Boil the yams in a large pot of water over high heat. We don’t need to cook them through fully; they will finish cooking in the oven!
- In a small saucepan, make the brown sugar mixture. Combine melted butter with white and brown sugars, spices, and vanilla. Don’t overcook this mixture—you should make it over low heat.
- Spread the boiled yams in a single layer in a prepared baking dish and pour the brown sugar mixture on top. Make sure all the yams are covered in the sauce.
- Bake, uncovered, in a preheated 375-degree oven for about 20 minutes.
- Add the marshmallows, then place the casserole dish back in the oven for another 5-7 minutes until the marshmallow topping is perfectly golden brown and gooey.
There you have it! That’s the quick-step process to making one of the most classic Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. You definitely want to save this recipe for a holiday meal or a special occasion only—it’s far too sweet for an everyday side but perfect for indulgences.
Do I have to boil the yams before baking the candied yams casserole?
In this recipe, yes—I boil before I bake! However, I have a similar baked candied yams recipe that skips the boiling step, so it’s not always necessary. In this case, I think boiling the sweet potatoes makes them perfectly tender on the outside. Then baking in the oven with the sweet, caramelized sauce ensures they’re perfectly cooked entirely through.
Canned Yams vs. Fresh Yams: Which Should You Use?
Y’all know I am all about time-saving hacks, especially around the holidays. Can you save a little prep time and use canned yams for a candied yams recipe? Sure, you could; desperate times call for desperate measures. 😉 Canned yams might be just as nutritious as fresh, but in this recipe, fresh is definitely best.
More Candied Yams Recipes & Holiday-Worthy Side Dishes
Candied yams with marshmallows are a must-have on any holiday table. Lucky for you, I have plenty of variations of candied yams right here!
- Slow Cooker Southern Candied Yams
- Soul Food Style Baked Candied Yams
- Instant Pot Candied Yams
- Stovetop Bourbon Candied Yams
The sweet potato recipes don’t stop there—I told y’all I’m a Soul Food blogger! You’ve gotta fill your Thanksgiving table with my Soul Food Sweet Potato Pie, a classic Sweet Potato Casserole, Sweet Potato Pie Fudge, and even Honey Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls.
Candied yams with marshmallows pair perfectly with other savory holiday season side dishes like collard greens, cornbread dressing, and creamy mashed potatoes.
Video Tutorial for Baked Candied Yams with Marshmallows
Watch my video tutorial below, showing exactly how I make decadent homemade candied yams with marshmallows. You can also print out the ingredients and instructions using the recipe card.
Be sure to share and save this recipe on Pinterest! You can also follow along with all things Rosie and I Heart Recipes by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and check out all my cookbooks!
Candied Yams with Marshmallows
Ingredients
- 6 medium sized yams peeled and sliced
- 1 stick of salted butter
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Place the peeled and cut yams into a large pot and cover the yams with water.6 medium sized yams
- Place the pot on the stovetop, turn the heat to high, and let the yams boil for about 5 minutes. Then drain the yams and set them to the side.
- In a separate pot, add 1 stick of butter and melt it over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, reduce the heat to low (or off) and add in the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Stir to cook for 1 minute.1 stick of salted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger. Stir, then add in the vanilla extract.1 tbsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- Place the yams into a buttered baking dish and pour the candied mixture all over the yams. Make sure the yams are well coated with the candied mixture!
- Place the yams in the oven, uncovered, at 375 F for 20 minutes.
- Remove the yams from the oven and add the marshmallows on top.1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- Place the yams back into the oven for 5-7 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden brown and gooey.
- Allow the candied yams and marshmallows to cool for 10 minutes, then serve & enjoy!
I have viewed so many videos and yours is the best by far! I am learning how to be a better cook for my soon to be hubby and you have really helped me learned. Your videos are very easy to follow and I can understanding what you are saying. Thank You and keep up the best cooking ever! 🙂
Thank YOU, for trying my recipes hunny!
Rosie, thank you so much for the recipe for these candied yams! I made six pans of these yams for a church event and every couple minutes I had to put out another pan. They were the talk of the event. I have even had members come up to me and ask if I can make them a pan of candied yams for their birthday lol. Keep up the good work and let me know if you have more recipes that you can share.
LOL! Yams for their birthdays?! Sounds like something I would request! LOL. Thanks for trying my recipe.
Thank you for giving my family sweet memories with your delicious recipes. God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving!
Happy Holidays!
How many servings will your recipe feed! . Thank you!
Another question…Have you made this recipe for a large group and if so, how much longer does the recipe need to bake? Do you use a glass dish or something else? I am planning on using this recipe to feed about 30 adults. Thank you!
Hi Arlene! This recipe served about 6 people. If you’re making it for 30 adults, you’re definitely going to need to make about 5 platters. I don’t recommend trying to cook it all together.
Thank you!
For multiple batches, should I bake each batch individually, then combine them all together in a full tray, add mellows and bake?
You should be fine adding them all together of you have a large enough dish.
What size glass dish do you use for this recipe (for 6 servings)?
Most important– If I double the recipe, what size glass dish do you recommend? Same cooking time if recipe is doubled?
Hi Linda, the recipe can be double. The dish that I used in the video was a 9×13. I’m not sure on which glass dish to recommend for a bigger batch.
Hi Rosie,
I am really excited to make your wonderful candied yams. I was wondering if I can make these a day ahead and bake them the next day?
Sure! You can make them the day before, but don’t add the marshmallows until the next day, when you reheat the yams. XOXO
Can i combine everything except the marshmallows then tomorrow bake as directed and then add the marshmallows the next day to heat up , melt the marshmallows when i serve?
Short on oven space! If it will still be as good !
Thank you and happy t day!
Yes. That should be okay.
Hey Rosie I noticed you only boiled the yams for 5 minutes. My mother-in-law said you have to boil yams for a long time. But since you baked the yams will it still come out tender?
Hi Sharnay. 5 minutes of boiling is enough. Keep in mind that the yams are also being baked. They will definitely be tender once completely done.
Ok thank you
Hello I noticed my candied sauce wasn’t liquidy once I added the sugars. It seem like the sugar absorbed all the butter. I used 3/4 cup of sugar and Brown sugar. But it’s grainy. Did I do something wrong?
If it’s “grainy” you definitely did something wrong, or perhaps you skipped a step or two 🙁
I just added a little water and it came out fine. Thanks!
Looks to me, like she uses more like a 1/4 cup
Okay, after making this recipe, I’m fairly confident it should be 3/8 of a cup of each of the sugars. 1/4 wasn’t quite enough but 1/2 and I had to mix in more butter.
Looks can be deceiving hun
I will be making this recipes for Thanksgiving……cant wait!
YAY!!! Enjoy them hun!
I usually make these just like this in a pan on the stove … never made them in the oven but I will try this way for Thanksgiving! Thanks … looks so good!
Thanks for coming by! Happy Thanksgiving! XOXO
Is there a way to make these ahead of time and then heat them up on Thanksgiving day?
Thank you! These look SO GOOD!
Yes! You can definitely make the yams a day ahead! XOXO
I’m not a fan of candied sweet potatoes but while searching for a recipe to make for larger than usual crowd tomorrow, I came across this recipe. Looks great, l love the spices it incorporates. Expect to get many thumbs up for this dish. Thsnk You. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you Sue!!! Happy Holidays!
Did you use salted or unsalted butter?
I used salted, but unsalted butter can be used.
I am getting ready to make this right now, but i have a question. I’ve seen other versions of candied yams where the yams are sort of mashed. If i wanted to do that, when would i mash it, after baking?
Hello. Sorry, but I can’t give you the steps for a whole other version at this time.
That’s fine. I’m going to make your version. Thanks a lot! Happy Thanksgiving!
Love your recipes! I love candied yams but I could never seem to get them quite right…that and sweet potato pie! I’m cooking both of your recipes for Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving love!
I’d like to prepare these a few hours ahead of time (up until the “candy coating” step”) if I boil and candy coat my yams, can I then leave them like that in the fridge for 3 hours or so, that way all I have to do is bake and marshmallow them right before serving? Or will the yummy candy mixture dry out? Hope this makes sense :)Thanks! Can’t wait to make and EAT these! They look divine 🙂
So I am thankful for finding this recipe, lol. I just bought sweet potatoes knowing i was going to make yams, but know HOW I was going to make them. I came across a plethora of choices, but then I typed in “THE BEST candied yams…” And boom! Here you are. My yams are in the oven, and I’m about to take them out to taste them. I will come back in the next 5-10 mins to leave my taste review! Thanks for the thorough directions! 🙂
Thanks for giving it a try!
Ok so they were probably the best yams my guests had!! Girlfriend, these yams are dangerous. My mother in law was stunned how good they were! *bonus points* And they were set off by the marshmallows..I literally have no leftovers. Thank you, these will be made time and time again!
Hi, Rosie, just wanted to tell you that I made these candied yams for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit! This was my first time ever making candied yams as I normally make sweet potato casserole for TG. I gotta admit, I was a little nervous about making this, as I was worried it might come out too sweet. But it wasn’t; SO delicious and warmly recieved by my picky family. My husband told me I should make this instead of the casserole from now on. Thank you so much and I look forward to trying out more of your recipes!
I’m glad that you and the hubby liked the yams!!!! Happy Holidays! XOXO
I made these for Thanksgiving and they were AMAZING!!! I cannot thank you enough! The video and the instructions were so helpful and the recipe was so PERFECT even I could get it right!
OMG…this was My first time making candied yams and it was an absolute hit! everyone loved them! this recipe is perfect and simple for first time chefs. Thank You so much for posting this recipe and making it very easy for people to understand
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! I’m glad that you liked it! XOXO
Rosie – I’m in a crunch for time and want to
Know if I can use canned yams?
Sorry, I don’ recommend using canned yams for this recipe.
Thank you for responding!!!
I DEFINITELY did something wrong. Mine were still raw, half done. I just put the marshmallows on but I’m gonna have to put aluminum foil on them and let them cook for another 20 minutes or so. Not sure what I did wrong, smh.
Sounds like you didn’t cook them long enough. 🙁
I figured out that my pieces were too large to cook for just 20 minutes per the recipe. I covered them, put them back in the oven for another 20 minutes and they came out PERFECT and the glaze was awesome. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
I’m glad that you were able to pin point what the problem was! XOXO
This was SO delicious!!! I will never make it the “traditional” way again. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Glad that you liked it!
Yes Rosie~The Best EVER Candied Yams!!! I’ve tried numerous yam recipes over the years, and this was the BOMB!!! Last year, this recipe was a big hit in our home. I had a family member ask what was in it, so I told him the ingredients, his response was, that was the best yam dish he ever tasted & he hates marshmallows but loved your recipe. I agree with him as I’m not a fan of marshmallows, but I LOVE your recipe. It turned out so good, that I had the yam for dessert, instead of pumpkin pie 🙂 A week later I received a call from this guys wife, saying her husband would only eat your yam recipe. Many thanks from our home!
Oh wow!!!! I’m so glad that you all liked the recipe!! It’s one of my favorites as well! XOXO
Our family traditional candied yams include the marshmallows and a cup of raisins at the same time. A treasure in our family! Making two batches this year for two families (hope to impress the in-laws). Passed on to me from my Mamsey.
Bob
Enjoy!
Rosie this candy is delicious! Thank you for the recipe, i’m bringing to thanksgiving dinner with my family today. Wish you had an apple pie filling recipe up here! lol i’m throwing together an apple cobbler really quick too. I’m sure to get rave reviews on these yams. Thanks again!
I’m glad that you liked it hunny!
I have never made yams before so i want to make these. My family wants walnuts to be in it. Can i add them and when in the recipe would i do that? I am making this in 3-4 days. Thanks!
Wow!!! Best yams ever!!!!!! Thank you for this recipe(: Oh yeah, it was super easy as well!!!!!
I’m glad that you like the recipe!
I do not see the recipe just the video. I would really like to try this recipe.
I fixed it. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Rosie, could I add a little Jack Daniels to this?
LOL! You sure can! XOXO
Do I have to use ginger
no, it’s optional.
What size dish? I know it says butter bake dish, but I’m not sure what that is. Thanks!
9×13
This recipe was AMAZING! I was asked to bring something to my boyfriend’s family’s thanksgiving (no pressure) and everyone loved it! The only problem with this recipe is that it it was so good there wasn’t any leftovers! The best candied yams ever!
Hi Camille! Glad that everyone liked the yams! XOXO
This Christmas made my 3rd time making these utterly sinful yams. My son asked me not to invite people over again because there were no leftovers lol.
I came on to click every ad on the page ^.^ hope the advertisers come flocking.
LMAO!! Thanks Abi. Glad that you liked the recipe!
Hi Rosie..I’m excited to try your recipe this week for our Thanksgiving dinner!
Awesome! Enjoy!
Your recipe sounds delicious I’m making it for 14 people should I double the recipe?
Hi Bobbie! Yes, double the recipe 😀
I made this for thanksgiving and it looked great with the marshmallows it looks so good to eat. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
Happy Holidays!
Girl, my Mom’s friends went crazy over these at the Christmas dinner party last night. The only thing though is that I didn’t have any ground ginger. Regardless, it was a hit, and they are the bomb!!
Thanks for trying recipe!
Made these for Christmas and everyone went nuts! Tasted just like the yams we get from our local soul food restaurant that I’m obsessed with. Crazy good! I never want the leftovers to end… Thanks for the great recipe– it’s my go-to for holiday dinners from now on!
Thanks for trying my recipe.
I’m not exactly a fan of candied yams… or any other yams for that matter…. my grandmother was the only person who could make them “right” in my opinion so I’ve never tried anyone else’s. She passed away last March. she was my hero, my role model, and the rock of our entire family. One of the things I miss most is her cooking. She was the best, and could cook anything, and while she taught me everything I know about cooking, I no longer have the ability to call her and ask her how to do something and I never got around to asking for her recipe for things like this. I thought there would always be tomorrow….. then she was gone…. The holidays were definitely hard without her here. We tried our best to plan and prepare our family meal, and after listening to descriptions of everyone else’s version of the dish, I thought I’d give it a try because there was no way I was going to let them do it! Lol It took forever to find a recipe with the right combination of ingredients! Your’s is the first I found and it is the only one I need. Its perfect! They’re delicious! I’m making them tonight for the 4th time since the holidays, and none go to waist, I assure you – I’ve put on a pound or two, but so worth it 😉
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your recipe because it really was exactly what I needed, and every time I make them it takes me back to her.
Thanks for trying April! XOXO
You are correct, da bomb! So, so, so good. Going to see if you have a sweet potato pie recipe. 🙂
These were at hit at Thanksgiving! So yummy and sweet. Check marked as my new go-to candied yams!! Thanks for sharing this!
Cooked these for our Christmas Eve dinner with both of the extended families over. The pan was wiped out! My mom even said it’s the best thing she’s ever had! THING. OF ALL TIME! Haha I don’t even like candied yams, but these were actually so good! Definitely keeping for the future. Thank you!
Rosie, this recipe is, just like all your recipes. I want you to know that I believe your cooking skills come deeply from within. You are an inspiration to me. So sweet, kind and funny! Keep going girrrrrrl because you have a long way to go. Be Blessed and I can’t wait for Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much Karen!
Hubs requested candied yams for Thanksgiving, decided to make this and so glad I did. Everyone loved them! The juice was tasty for dipping turkey into. The spices were totally yummy. Sweet enough without being too sweet. Thanks for the recipe!
Truly the best ever candied yams… and soo easy!
THANK YOU, ROSIE!
I have these on my list to make for Thanksgiving. I love candied yams with marshmallows.
This recipe sounds delicious. I’m going to try it but 1/2 it because only 3 of my family members eat yams. But I like the idea of fresh yams vs the canned. Thank you so much. One question do you find that slicing the yams are better than cubing them, so to speak?
I made this recipe for Thanksgiving 2022 and it was DELICIOUS! The candied yams were gobbled up so quickly, I barely had any leftovers to eat! I used 5 large yams and DID include the ginger, which made it extra-tasty. I will be making this recipe over and over again. Everyone raved about how good it was! I enjoyed the flavor of the fresh yams, sliced just thickly enough so they weren’t mushy. Even though I used 5 large yams & your recipe says it serves 6, it worked out just fine for 10 people & fit nicely in a 13x9x2” Pyrex dish. Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!
I have been making a slightly different version of candied yams for years, but these were the best EVER! However, I noticed when I mixed the 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup sugar, as directed on the recipe, it was too thick. I ended up adding another stick of butter and it was delicious. Can you give me any tips on the amounts? In watching the video, it looks like you only use about 1/2 cup of the sugars. My son said, “Mom, what did you do different with these yams? These are Next Level!” Thank you for this awesome recipe, my favorite part of the Thanksgiving Dinner!
Hi Jan! I used the amounts listed. When the yams bake, the liquid from the yams thins it out a bit 🙂 . Glad that you liked the recipe.
Hi there! Do you have any idea how many lbs. 6 medium sized yams is approximately? Since yams vary so wildly in size this would help me be a bit more accurate in my preparations. Thank you so much!
Hi Kiki. About 2-3 lbs .
Soooo yummy. Thank you!!!!