Easy Alton Brown Candied Yams Recipe for Sweet Perfection

Sweet, sticky candied yams represent the ultimate comfort food that transforms ordinary root vegetables into a decadent side dish.

Brown’s signature recipe elevates these humble tubers with a rich, caramelized glaze that tantalizes taste buds.

Marshmallows melt into a golden crown, creating irresistible layers of sugary goodness.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this classic dish as a festive favorite.

Warm spices and buttery undertones complement the natural sweetness of the potatoes.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together, making it perfect for busy holiday meals.

The result is a crowd-pleasing dish that balances indulgence with nostalgic memories: get ready to savor every delicious bite.

What Makes Alton Brown’s Candied Yams the Ultimate Sweet Side

• Unleash Sweet Comfort: Dive into a warm, nostalgic dish that hugs your taste buds with classic Southern-style candied yams bursting with caramelized sweetness.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Transform simple sweet potatoes into a decadent side dish in just 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious results without complex techniques.
• Textural Wonderland: Experience a delightful contrast between the soft, buttery sweet potatoes and the golden, gooey marshmallow topping that creates an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
• Crowd-Pleasing Simplicity: Wow your family and guests with a foolproof recipe that requires minimal ingredients and basic cooking skills, ensuring a stunning side dish for holiday gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Key Ingredients for Alton Brown’s Candied Yams

• Sweet Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable that forms the core of this classic side dish, best when orange-fleshed and firm.
• Butter: Rich dairy ingredient that helps create a smooth, glossy coating for the sweet potatoes, provides depth of flavor.

• Brown Sugar: Deep caramel-like sweetener that adds rich, molasses-like flavor and helps create a delicious glaze.
• Miniature Marshmallows: Fluffy white topping that melts into a golden, sweet layer, creating a classic candied yam texture.

How to Prepare Alton Brown’s Candied Yams

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the perfect cooking environment for your candied yams.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grab a medium-sized baking dish and spread the drained sweet potatoes evenly across the bottom. Cut butter into small pieces and distribute them uniformly over the sweet potatoes.

Step 3: Add Sweet Toppings

Sprinkle brown sugar generously over the sweet potatoes and butter. Create a delightful layer of sweetness by topping the dish with miniature marshmallows.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

• Sweet potatoes become soft and tender
• Marshmallows melt and turn golden brown
• A delicious caramelized aroma fills the kitchen

Serve hot and enjoy this classic comfort side dish that’s sure to impress your family and friends!

Pro Tips for Alton Brown’s Candied Yams

• Customize Caramelization: Less sugar means lighter caramel notes, while more creates deeper, richer tones.
• Control Marshmallow Melt: Golden brown edges signal perfect toasting; remove quickly to prevent burning.
• Drain Methodically: Pat sweet potatoes completely dry to guarantee crisp exterior and concentrated flavors.
• Distribute Butter Evenly: Smooth butter across surface ensures consistent taste in every delectable bite.
• Balance Sweet Intensity: Start with recommended sugar, then adjust incrementally for personalized deliciousness.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Candied Yams

• Refrigerator Method: Seal cooled candied yams in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Stack containers carefully without crushing the delicate sweet potato layers. Always place on the middle shelf to maintain consistent temperature and prevent accidental spills.
• Freezer Method: Transfer completely cooled yams into heavy-duty freezer bags or rigid freezer-safe containers. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and potential flavor loss. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating to preserve original texture and sweetness.
• Quick Tip: Divide leftover candied yams into smaller portions before storing. This strategy allows you to defrost only the amount needed, preventing unnecessary waste and maintaining optimal flavor quality.

Tasty Twists on Alton Brown’s Candied Yams

• Sweet Potato Spice Upgrade: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the brown sugar mixture for a warm, aromatic flavor profile that elevates the classic candied yams.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the marshmallows before baking, creating a delightful textural contrast and adding rich, toasted notes to the dish.
• Maple Bourbon Infusion: Replace some brown sugar with pure maple syrup and splash in a small amount of bourbon for a sophisticated, deep flavor that brings complexity to the traditional sweet potato recipe.
• Coconut Caramel Remix: Drizzle coconut caramel sauce over the baked yams and top with toasted coconut flakes, transforming the classic side dish into a tropical-inspired treat.

The Perfect Sweetness with Alton Brown’s Candied Yams

Sweet potato magic emerges from Alton Brown’s classic southern side dish, blending comfort and nostalgia.

Buttery marshmallow layers create a luxurious dessert-like experience that elevates traditional holiday meals.

Caramelized brown sugar whispers warmth across tender sweet potato slices, inviting memories of family gatherings.

Kitchen aromas promise delightful moments of culinary connection and shared joy.

Crispy marshmallow tops contrast smooth potato textures, making each bite a delectable surprise.

Savor this recipe, share its deliciousness with friends, spark conversations, and spread culinary love through social media connections.

Alton Brown Candied Yams Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sweet potato lovers rejoice with Alton Brown’s candied yams, a Southern classic that marries rich, caramelized flavor with buttery marshmallow perfection. Warm spices and brown sugar create a luxurious side dish you’ll crave at holiday gatherings and comfort meal moments.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (29 ounces / 822 grams) can sweet potatoes, drained
• 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows

Sweeteners:

• ½ cup brown sugar

Fats:

• ¼ cup butter, cut into pieces

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heating.
2. Transfer the thoroughly drained sweet potatoes into a medium-sized ceramic or glass baking dish, spreading them evenly across the bottom.
3. Cut cold butter into small, uniform pieces and distribute them systematically over the sweet potato surface, ensuring complete and equal coverage.
4. Sprinkle granulated brown sugar generously and uniformly across the buttered sweet potatoes, creating a thin, consistent layer that will caramelize during baking.
5. Carefully arrange miniature marshmallows in a decorative, overlapping pattern across the entire sweet potato surface, covering the sugar and butter layer completely.
6. Place the prepared dish into the preheated oven and bake for 22 to 26 minutes, monitoring the marshmallows to prevent burning while ensuring they become golden brown and slightly puffy.
7. Remove the baking dish from the oven using heat-resistant mitts and let the sweet potato casserole rest for 5 minutes to allow the sugars to set and the marshmallows to stabilize before serving.

Notes

• Brown sugar caramelizes beautifully when mixed gently with sweet potatoes, creating a rich golden glaze.
• Mashing techniques impact the final texture, so use a potato masher for rustic chunks or electric mixer for silky smoothness.
• Marshmallow topping requires careful attention to prevent burning and achieve perfect golden-brown color.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, helping create a more consistent casserole mixture.
• Butter distribution matters for even flavor and preventing dry spots in the dish.
• Fresh sweet potatoes provide the best natural sweetness and vibrant color compared to canned alternatives.
• Peeling can be simplified by boiling potatoes first, making the skin slide off effortlessly.
• Preheating the oven ensures consistent cooking temperature for optimal results.
• Leftovers store well in refrigerator for 3-4 days, making this a great make-ahead side dish.
• Serving warm guarantees the most delicious taste and appealing presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 322
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 156 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg