Candied Yams Marshmallow Pecan (Printable Version)

Sweet potatoes baked in spiced glaze, topped with golden marshmallows and a pecan crumble topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Yams

01 - 4 large yams (sweet potatoes), peeled and cut into 1-inch rounds

→ Glaze

02 - 1 cup packed brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
04 - 1/4 cup maple syrup
05 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Topping

10 - 2 cups mini marshmallows
11 - 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped
12 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
13 - 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
14 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Arrange the sliced yams evenly in the prepared dish.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the glaze evenly over the yams, tossing gently to coat. Cover tightly with foil.
05 - Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, gently stir yams, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until tender.
06 - In a bowl, combine pecans, flour, brown sugar, softened butter, cinnamon, and salt. Mix with a fork until crumbly.
07 - Sprinkle mini marshmallows evenly over the yams, then top with the pecan crumble.
08 - Return dish to oven and bake for 5–7 minutes, or until marshmallows are golden and topping is crisp. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
09 - Let cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The glaze soaks into the yams and creates this glossy, caramelized layer that tastes like fall in a bite.
  • It comes together in about an hour and actually looks impressive even if you're cooking it on a weeknight.
  • There's something deeply comforting about serving food that tastes like someone's been cooking all day.
02 -
  • The yams will release water as they cook, so the glaze will thin out; this is normal and actually helps them cook evenly, so don't panic and add more brown sugar.
  • Watch the marshmallows like you're baking cookies because the difference between perfectly golden and burned is literally about 30 seconds once they start to color.
03 -
  • If your pecans tend to burn in your oven, consider toasting them briefly in a dry skillet before adding them to the crumble so you control the browning.
  • A pinch of allspice or cloves in the glaze adds a whisper of spice that makes people feel like they're tasting something familiar but can't name it, which is exactly where you want them.
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