The Mommy Mouse Clubhouse

  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Cruise
    • Disney Recipes
    • Discount Tickets
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dish
    • Soup & Chili
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Discount Tickets
  • Travel
    • Disney
    • Orange County Los Angeles Travel Tips
    • San Diego Travel Tips
    • Orlando Travel Tips
    • Great Wolf Lodge
    • National Parks
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Cruise
    • Disney Recipes
    • Discount Tickets
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dish
    • Soup & Chili
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Discount Tickets
  • Travel
    • Disney
    • Orange County Los Angeles Travel Tips
    • San Diego Travel Tips
    • Orlando Travel Tips
    • Great Wolf Lodge
    • National Parks
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
search icon
Homepage link
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Cruise
    • Disney Recipes
    • Discount Tickets
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dish
    • Soup & Chili
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Discount Tickets
  • Travel
    • Disney
    • Orange County Los Angeles Travel Tips
    • San Diego Travel Tips
    • Orlando Travel Tips
    • Great Wolf Lodge
    • National Parks
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
×
Home » Recipes

Thanksgiving Candied Yams

September 10, 2022 by Mindy Leave a Comment

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Candied Yams Casserole combines creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a crunchy, buttery streusel topping and chopped pecans. It’s sweet and has all the fall flavors you crave in every delicious bite. Perfect for wowing guests around the holiday table!

Thanksgiving Candied Yams in a white baking dish next to an orange plaid towel.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links, I get a small percentage back at no cost to you! For more information see my disclosure policy.

Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap "Jump to Recipe" at the top of the page.

Get Away Today Disney World Ticket Sale.

Get Away Today is my FAVORITE company to book my Disney vacations. Get discounts and the BEST customer service by checking prices below. Don’t forget to use the coupon code: Clubhouse10 to save even more! Tap the yellow button below to check prices and see more Disney World Deals from Get Away Today!

Check Prices Now

Why These are the Best Yams for Thanksgiving

There are several reasons why these yams are the best for Thanksgiving. First, this delicious recipe is versatile and can be made with fresh sweet potatoes or canned yams.

Second, they are mashed and mixed with sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla to create a rich and creamy base.

Finally, they are topped with a brown sugar streusel that will leave your Thanksgiving guests begging for more! They are a delicious side dish for any Thanksgiving table.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?

Yes, yams and sweet potatoes are actually the same thing! The term "yam" is often used to describe the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes that are commonly found in grocery stores.

However, true yams are actually a type of starchy root vegetable that is not related to sweet potatoes. That being said, you can use either sweet potatoes or yams in this recipe.

A can of Yams.

Ingredients for Thanksgiving Candied Yams

*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Yams or Sweet Potatoes: For this recipe, you can use fresh yams sweet potatoes or a can of yams from the grocery store. Instructions for both will be included.
  • Sugar: Use standard granulated white sugar. Pure maple syrup can also be used.
  • Butter: The recipe calls for both softened butter (for the base) and melted butter (for the topping).
  • Eggs: You will need 2 eggs for this recipe, lightly beaten.
  • Vanilla: One teaspoon of vanilla extract is all you need.
  • Milk: Any type of milk will work, including whole milk, 2%, or even almond milk.
  • Brown Sugar: This is for the topping and can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. Use light or dark brown sugar.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour is what you need, nothing fancy.
  • Pecans: You will need 1 cup of chopped pecans for the streusel topping. You can also use walnuts if you prefer.
  • Cinnamon: This is optional but highly recommended. A little nutmeg and bit of cinnamon in the streusel topping, really takes these yams to the next level.
Order These Ingredients from Instacart Here!
Ingredients to make Thanksgiving Candied Yams.

Instructions if Using Fresh Yams

  1. Wash the yams and use a vegetable peeler to remove the brown skin.
  2. Cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch pieces and add to a large pot and cover with water.
  3. Boil the sweet potatoes then reduce to medium heat for about 25 minutes or until the yams are soft.

How to Make Thanksgiving Candied Yams

[Step 1] Place the boiled sweet potatoes or canned yams in a large mixing bowl.

A bowl of cooked yams.

[Step 2] Use a hand mixer to beat in the sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth and creamy.

Mashed yams mixed with sugar, butter, eggs, and milk in a mixing bowl.

[Step 3] Put the mixture in a greased 9x13 baking dish.

Mashed sweet potatoes in a white baking dish.

[Step 4] Topping: Combine the brown sugar, cubed butter, and flour in a small bowl.

Streusel topping in a bowl.

[Step 5] Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the top of the sweet potatoes, followed by the chopped pecans.

A dish of mashed yams topped with streusel.

[Step 6] Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. 

A dish of mashed yams topped with streusel and pecans.

Helpful Kitchen Tools:

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Hand Mixer
  • Large Saucepan (if using fresh sweet yams)
  • Measuring Cups and spoons
  • Casserole Dish
Shop My Amazon Store

How to Store Leftover Thanksgiving Yams

Leftover candied yams can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply place them in an airtight container or cover with aluminum foil and reheat them when ready to serve.

A dish of mashed yams topped with streusel and pecans.

Make Ahead Instructions

This classic holiday side dish can be made up to 2 days in advance of your holiday meal. Simply prepare the yams/sweet potatoes through step 3 and store them in the fridge. When ready to bake, add the topping and bake as directed.

I hope you enjoy this delicious sweet potato casserole recipe as one of your Thanksgiving side dishes! If you do, leave a comment and let me know how they turned out!

Candied Yams in a baking dish with a spoon next to a plate of candied yams.

More Sweet Thanksgiving Day Recipes to Try:

  • Three Cheese Funeral Potatoes
  • KFC Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
  • Lion House Rolls
  • Whipped Honey Butter
  • Cranberry Fluff Salad
  • Costco Pumpkin Pie
  • Dutch Apple Pie
  • Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake
  • Caramel Pecan Silk Pie

Watch the video:

The Best Thanksgiving Yams with a red play button.
Subscribe on YouTube

Did you try this recipe? Make sure to give it a five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below!

Thanksgiving Candied Yams in a white baking dish next to an orange plaid towel.

Thanksgiving Candied Yams

This Candied Yams Casserole combines creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a crunchy, buttery streusel topping and chopped pecans. It’s sweet and has all the fall flavors you crave in every delicious bite. Perfect for wowing guests around the holiday table!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best candied yams, can of yams, fresh sweet potatoes, fresh yams, sweet potato casserole recipe, sweet potato pies, sweet potato recipes, sweet potatoes recipe, sweet yams, thanksgiving dinner, thanksgiving side dishes, thanksgiving yams, yam recipe, yams recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Author: Mindy

Ingredients

ams

  • 3 Sweet Potatoes or 1 Can of Yams 40 ounces
  • ⅔ Cup Sugar
  • ½ Cup Butter softened
  • 2 Eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
  • ⅓ Cup Milk

Streusel Topping

  • ⅓ Cup Cold Butter cubed
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Cup Chopped Pecans

Instructions

  • Place the boiled sweet potatoes or canned yams into a large mixing bowl.
  • Use a hand mixer to beat in the sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth and creamy.
  • Put the mixture in a greased 9x13 pan.
  • Topping: Combine the brown sugar, cubed butter, and flour in a small bowl. (I used a small food processor.)
  • Sprinkle the topping over the yams/sweet potatoes followed by the pecans.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving

More Recipes

  • A slice of Crème Brûlée French Toast with maple syrup.
    Crème Brûlée French Toast
  • Baked green chicken chile enchiladas in a white baking dish.
    Stacked Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
  • A banana bread bar with cream cheese frosting.
    Frosted Banana Bread Bars
  • Cinnamon Crunch French Toast casserole drizzled with cinnamon cream cheese syrup.
    Cinnamon Crunch French Toast Casserole

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Mindy from Mommy Mouse Clubhouse.

Welcome!

My name is Mindy and  I am so excited to welcome you to my blog! I am the wife of a hunky firefighter and the mommy of three super smart, energetic boys..

More about me

Popular

  • Million Dollar Lasagna in a white dish with a red plaid background.
    Million Dollar Lasagna
  • Muddy Buddies made with Butterfinger crumbs with a small Butterfinger candy bar.
    Butterfinger Muddy Buddies
  • Sourdough chocolate chip cookies on a cooling rack.
    Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • A bowl of cheesy enchilada chili topped with sour cream, jalapenos, and tortilla strips.
    Enchilada Chili

Seasonal

  • Sourdough banana bread cut into slices.
    Sourdough Banana Bread
  • Homemade baked mac and cheese on a wooden spoon.
    Four Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese
  • Hot honey chicken tenders on a white plate.
    Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
  • Big Mac Sliders on a baking sheet.
    Better Than Big Mac Sliders

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Mommy Mouse Clubhouse

Thanksgiving Candied Yams
A picture collage of candied sweet potatoes topped with brown sugar and pecans.