Old-Fashioned Candied Yams

Old-Fashioned Candied Yams – I called Grandma Betty the day before our first Thanksgiving in Florida to learn how to make her incredible candied yams. She talked me through the easy steps as I made it while on the phone with her. It was super quick and easy! She never put marshmallows on top, but my dear sister-in-law Jan did. This stuff is so yummy it should almost be called a dessert!

Yam or Sweet Potato?

Just so we’re all on the same page, yams and sweet potatoes are NOT the same thing. We’ve grown up calling this dish made with sweet potatoes Candied Yams and so we always will. 😁

The difference between yams and sweet potatoes

Sweet candied yams memory…

When I was a little girl at Thanksgiving dinners at Grandma and Grandpa Tribby’s, my best friend Julie Ann (who is also my first cousin and 2 weeks older than me) and I always sat next to each other at the little kids table. I was not fond of candied yams back then, but Julie loved them! My favorite was Grandma’s bread dressing. So Julie and I would secretly trade those two side dishes while keeping an eye on our moms to make sure we weren’t caught! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the best memories of my childhood were spent with family at our grandparents’ house. Maybe in the next life with Jesus we’ll get to relive those times we cherish most? Anything’s possible with Him! 😊

Old-Fashioned Candied Yams

1 or 2 large cans of cut yams or sweet potatoes in syrup (light syrup is fine)
1/4 or 1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 or 2 heaping tbsp corn starch
1/4 to 1/3 cup cold water
Marshmallows to cover top, optional

Drain the can(s) into a small sauce pot and turn the heat on to medium-high.

Spread the yams in a baking dish in a single layer.

Add brown sugar, stirring to dissolve. Bring just to a boil then add the corn starch dissolved in the water.

Turn heat to medium and stir while cooking until the sauce has thickened.

Remove from heat and pour over the yams.

Bake in 375°F oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove and top with marshmallows, if desired. Return to oven and bake an additional five minutes or so until the marshmallows have nicely browned. Or place under the broiler for a minute or so, watching closely lest they burn!