A Sweet Start

I have made these yams for years. My family expects them now. The table feels empty without that sweet, warm dish.

It all starts with butter and yams in a big pan. The butter melts and coats every slice. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It is the best start to any meal.

A Little Story for You

One year, my grandson tried to help. He was so excited. He poured in the brown sugar all at once.

A little cloud of sugar dust poofed into the air. We both laughed and laughed. I still laugh at that. Cooking together makes the best memories.

Why We Make This Dish

This dish is more than just food. It is a warm hug on a plate. It tells people they are home.

That is why this matters. Sharing food is sharing love. It connects us to each other. What is a food that feels like home to you?

The Magic of Waiting

The yams need to cook for a whole hour. It is a test of patience. But it is worth the wait.

The smell fills the whole house. It makes everyone’s stomach rumble. That waiting time brings everyone together in the kitchen. Do you have a dish that is worth the long wait?

A Tasty Secret

The final touch is a little salt. It seems strange, I know. But it makes all the flavors pop.

Fun fact: Yams and sweet potatoes are different! What we usually buy here are sweet potatoes. But we call them yams. It is a funny mix-up.

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This recipe is so simple. You really cannot mess it up. It is a great one to try.

This is why it matters. Cooking builds confidence. It feels good to make something delicious. Will you be the one to make the yams this year?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
unsalted butter	½ cup
yams	6 (3.5 pounds)	peeled and sliced ⅓ inch thick
brown sugar	1 cup
pumpkin pie spice	1 teaspoon
vanilla	1 teaspoon
Kosher salt	½ teaspoon

Easy Candied Yams: A Sweet Holiday Memory

Oh, the smell of candied yams cooking. It just feels like the holidays. It reminds me of my own grandma’s kitchen. She always made this dish for our big family dinner. I still laugh at that. We kids would sneak pieces before they even made it to the table.

This recipe is so simple and cozy. You just need a few good things. Let’s get our yams ready. I like to peel them and slice them nice and thin. This helps them get all soft and sweet. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?

• Step 1: First, take your big skillet. Put it on the stove over a medium flame. Let that butter melt slowly. You want it to be all liquid and golden. I love watching it bubble. It means something good is about to happen.
• Step 2: Now, carefully add all your yam slices. Gently stir them around in that warm butter. Make sure every single piece gets a little coat. This buttery blanket is the secret. It makes them so rich and delicious.
• Step 3: Next, sprinkle in the brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Add that lovely vanilla, too. Stir it all together until the sugar just disappears. (A hard-learned tip: Don’t stir too much after this. Just let them be so they can get sticky).
• Step 4: Put the lid on your skillet. Let everything cook slowly for about an hour. You should stir it just once in a while. The waiting is the hardest part. But the sweet, spicy smell will fill your whole house.
• Step 5: Finally, take the lid off. Sprinkle that salt right over the top. This little bit of salt makes all the sweet flavors pop. Now they are ready to serve. What’s your favorite holiday side dish? Share below!

Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Side Dish

Three Sweet Twists for Your Yams

This recipe is wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it’s fun to play with your food. I like to add little changes. It keeps things exciting for my family. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried over the years.

• Maple Pecan Crunch: Use maple syrup instead of some brown sugar. Then, sprinkle chopped pecans on top before baking. It adds a wonderful, nutty crunch.
• Orange Zest Zing: Add the grated peel of one orange to the sugar mix. It gives the yams a bright, sunny flavor. It cuts through the sweetness so nicely.
• Toasty Marshmallow Cloud: After cooking, pile mini marshmallows on top. Put the skillet under the broiler for one minute. Watch them get all puffy and golden brown.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Sweet Creation

Now, where does this beautiful dish go on your table? I think it belongs right next to the turkey. The sweet yams love being near savory things. They are best friends with green beans, too.

For a pretty plate, serve them in a deep bowl. Let that shiny syrup pool at the bottom. A little fresh parsley on top looks so festive. It makes the orange color really stand out.

What should you drink with it? A cold glass of apple cider is perfect. For the grown-ups, a sweet white wine pairs beautifully. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Candied Yams Cozy

Let’s talk about storing these sweet treats. They keep well in the fridge for four days. Just use a covered container. You can also freeze them for a month. I use freezer-safe bags. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.

To reheat, warm them in the oven. I set my oven to 300 degrees. This keeps them from getting mushy. Stirring them once helps them heat evenly. I once tried the microwave in a hurry. It worked, but the texture was not as nice.

This dish is perfect for batch cooking. Make a double batch before the holiday rush. It saves you so much time and stress. A ready-made side dish means more time with family. That is what the holidays are really about.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Yam Problems

Sometimes the yams can be too firm. This means they need more cooking time. Just put the lid back on. Let them cook for another fifteen minutes. I remember when I served slightly crunchy yams. My grandson just smiled and ate them anyway.

Is your sauce too thin or too thick? A thin sauce needs more time to cook down. A thick sauce just needs a splash of water. Getting the sauce right makes the whole dish shine. It coats each slice with sweet, spiced flavor.

Do not forget the salt at the end. Salt makes all the other flavors pop. It is the secret to a balanced taste. Fixing small issues builds your confidence in the kitchen. You will feel like a real pro. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Candied Yams Questions Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Yes, it is naturally gluten-free. All the ingredients are safe.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Make it the day before. Reheat it gently in the oven.

Q: What can I use instead of pumpkin pie spice? A: Use cinnamon. It will still taste wonderful.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Yes, just use a bigger pan. The cooking time stays the same.

Q: Any optional add-ins? A: A handful of marshmallows on top is lovely. Fun fact: Sweet potatoes are actually a root vegetable, not a yam! Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe becomes a favorite in your home. It holds so many happy memories for me. I love seeing new families create their own traditions. Your kitchen is the heart of your home.

Fill it with good food and laughter. I would be thrilled to see your results. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I always look for your beautiful photos. It makes my whole week brighter.

Happy cooking!

—Grace Ellington.