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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

    Baked Candied Yams in Oven without Marshmallows

    Modified: Dec 21, 2024 · Published: Sep 20, 2020 by Cree · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Buttery maple-glazed candied yams baked in the oven until they're melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

    Let me guide you through the simple steps to create this classic holiday dish along with how I use this one secret ingredient.

    Promise me that you'll bless your family and friends with the delicious taste of tender sweet yams.  It's so easy to make and is definitely a crowd-pleaser.  One batch is never enough.  So, if you're planning on making this recipe which you should I suggest you double the recipe.

    over head shot of baked yams in casserole dish

    Ingredient Note

    When selecting yams, choose medium-sized ones, firm, and have dark red skin. Picking medium-sized yams are easier to cut than really large yams.

    How to Make Candied Yams without Marshmallows

    Now, that you have all your ingredients, I'll guide you through each step so you have perfectly baked candied yams every time.

    yams cut into wedges inside white casserole dish
    • Prepping sweet yams: Use a vegetable peeler, paring knife, or steak knife to remove the skin from each yam. Then, cut the yam into wedges and add them to a casserole dish. The sliced wedges must be cut approximately the same size for even cooking.
    maple sauce in pot
    • Making the maple sauce:  Add all the sauce ingredients into a pot and place on the stove over medium heat.  Bring the sauce to a gentle boil then simmer.  Stir in my secret ingredient which is vanilla bean paste. 

    NOTE: Avoid cutting the wedges too small, because they can become overcooked and mushy. On the other hand, large wedges may remain undercooked and take longer to bake.

    baked yam in casserole dish on counter top
    • Coating the sweet yams: Pour the maple sauce over the prepared yams.  If necessary, spoon the sauce over the yams making sure all are well coated.
    • Baking: Cover the yams with foil paper and place in a 375 degree preheated oven and bake until they're nice and tender (about 1 hour). 
    • Start Basting the yams with the maple sauce at the 30-minute mark for further caramelization then place them back in the oven to continue baking.
    close-up shot of yams

    Can You Prep Yams in Advance

    You can absolutely prep yams in advance.  To properly prep them:

    1. Wash the yams thoroughly with cool water, remove the skin with either a vegetable peeler, paring knife or steak knife
    2. Cut them into wedges or rounds whichever you prefer
    3. Add the yams to a bowl of cold water (the cold water prevents them from drying out and developing black spots)
    4. Cover securely with plastic wrap
    5. Store in fridge for 1 to 2 days

    Storing and Reheat

    Store

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container or a medium to large ziploc bag, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

    Reheat

    To reheat, place the yams into a casserole or baking dish and into a preheated 375°F oven and heat until they're warm.

    Tips

    1. The best way to store sweet yams is in a cool dark place and not in the fridge after purchasing them from the grocery store. 
    2. Yams grow in the ground which is why they need to be cleaned really well or even scrubbed before peeling the skin.
    3. If you're meal-prepping yams, make sure to add them to a bowl of cold water after cutting to prevent them from drying out or getting black spots then place them in the fridge.
    4. Bake them in the oven instead of boiling them on the stove-top to prevent them from becoming watery.
    5. When checking doneness, pierce the yams with a fork.  If the fork goes through the yams easily, they're done.
    6. Do not solely depend on the cooking time specified as oven temperatures can vary instead use the cooking time as a guide.

    What to Serve with Sweet Potato Candied Yams

    Whether you're serving up a holiday feast or a cozy dinner, I’ve got you covered with a few ideas to help round out your menu.

    Rotisserie Cornish Hens

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    Oven Baked Tri Tip

    Sauteed Green Beans

    📖 Recipe

    candied yams in white casserole dish next to gray striped napkin

    Baked Candied Yams in Oven without Marshmallows

    By Cree
    Baked Candied Yams in Oven without Marshmallows
    Elevate your holiday feast with these rich, buttery maple-glazed candied yams that are baked in the oven until they're melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Rest: 5 minutes minutes
    Calories: 900kcal
    Baked Candied Yams in Oven without Marshmallows

    Equipment

    • casserole dish or baking dish
    • Paring knife or steak knife
    • Collander
    • Cutting board
    • measuring cup
    • Measuring spoon

    Ingredients 

    • 7 lbs sweet yams (5 medium-sized yams)

    Maple Sauce

    • ¾ cup 100% pure maple syrup (no ordinary pancake syrup)
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup clarified butter (or regular butter)
    • 1 tablespoon carnation milk
    • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (pure vanilla extract)
    • ½ teaspoon allspice
    • ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
    • ¼ teaspoon ginger

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degree.

    Maple Sauce

    • Add 100% maple syrup, clarified butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and other spices to pot. Bring to a gentle boil then simmer for 2 mins. Remove pot from heat and add vanilla paste or vanilla extract and stir. Set aside.
    • Grease the inside of a rectangular casserole dish with butter. Set aside.
    • Wash yams thoroughly. Remove skin from yams using a vegetable peeler, paring knife, or steak knife. Cut yams into wedges making sure they're the same size. As you're cutting the yams, place them in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from drying out or getting dark spots while you cut the remaining yams.
    • Pour yams into a colander and pat dry them using paper towels. Place yams into the prepared casserole (spreading them out). Pour the maple sauce over them making sure they're evenly coated. Cover tightly with foil paper and place in the oven to bake.
    • At the 30-minute mark, remove the yams from the oven and baste (or spoon) the maple sauce over the yams (for further caramelization). Cover again with foil paper and continue to bake for an additional 30 minutes or until they're fork-tender.
    • Remove the yams from the oven and baste again with the maple sauce. Then, allow them to sit for 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken.
    • Serve and enjoy.

    Notes

    Tips

    • The best way to store sweet yams is in a cool and dark place and not in the fridge after purchasing them from the grocery store.  The temperature in the fridge is too cold for sweet yams or potatoes.
     
    • Sweet yams grow in the ground which is why they need to be cleaned really well or even scrubbed before peeling the skin.
     
    • If you're meal-prepping sweet yams, make sure to add them to a bowl of cold water after cutting them to prevent them from drying out then place them in the fridge.
     
    • Bake them in the oven instead of boiling to prevent them from becoming watery.
     
    • When checking done-ness, pierce the sweet yams with a fork to make sure they're done.  If the fork goes through the yam easily, they're done. Do not count on the cooking time specified as oven temperatures and preferred done-ness can vary.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 900kcal | Carbohydrates: 194g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 4441mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 90mg | Calcium: 164mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.

    Tried this Recipe? Don’t forget to give this recipe a Star Rating and Leave a Comment below- I’d love to hear from you.
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    HEY, I'M CREE

    I’m excited to share all things food from my perspective while bringing together Southern, Cajun, and Soul food with a modern vibe so if we haven't met.

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