Sweet potato casserole recipe with marshmallows using canned yams

One of the dishes I love most during the holidays is this Canned Candied Yams with Marshmallows Recipe. I think you either love them or hate them. However, Doug…hates them! Even the smell of them cooking sends him fleeing from the kitchen. So you can imagine the look on his face when I told him I wanted to post the recipe, and then asked him to photograph them! He is the reason why I do not get to prepare so often as I would like my amazing marshmallow dip for sweet potato fries recipe.

Thanksgiving recipes are all about tradition! Many families fix real sweet potatoes but I grew up on sweet potatoes from the can. Also, we called them canned yams. However, my Grandma always made this recipe every Thanksgiving and the smell was just incredible. So, since then I have carried on the tradition and made them the same way, even though my husband isn’t a fan.

Canned Candied Yams With Marshmallows: TIPS

• After placing the yams in a medium baking dish, you should distribute butter pieces evenly over them. Even though you can always substitute the butter with some ols, I strongly recommend using the first one.
• When it comes to sprinkling sugar, I recommen using the brown one. However, it is not a dead end if you don’t have any around your kitchen, and go for the regular one.
• Even though in the recipe the amount of marshmmallows is 2½ cups, you are free to use as many as you like. We all know that, afterall, the browned marshmallows on top of the canned yams really make all the difference!
• Finally, I’d like to add that, besides being one of my favorite holiday dishes, it’s also super practical. It is one of my easiest to make recipes and can also be prepared ahead and placed in the fridge until it’s time to cook.

Candied Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

• 2 (40 ounce) cans Sweet Potatoes {yams} drained - save juice from 1 can
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2½ cups {or more} mini marshmallows

1. Lightly spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray
2. Drain Sweet Potatoes, saving the juice from 1 can and spread in prepared dish
3. In a small saucepan on the stove, melt the butter, then add brown sugar, whisk until sugar is dissolved - about 2 minutes
4. Add 1 - 1½ cups of the reserved juice to the brown sugar mixture and heat about 3 minutes, do not boil
5. Pour over sweet potatoes
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes
7. Remove from oven and sprinkle with marshmallows
8. Turn oven up a bit, about 400, and return dish to oven to brown the marshmallows for about 5 minutes. Watch closely.
9. Serve immediately.

Can be prepared up to 8 hours ahead, store in the fridge until time to cook.

Linking to…Gooseberry Patch

Yams | Sweet Potatoes : Nutritious Values & Other Facts

• First of all, I need to clarify an important thing: their name. In some parts of North America (where I’m from), sweet potatoes are called yams. However, this is not the right way to use the term, since yams are a different species. But, it’s MY WAY to use the term! Considering Grandma used to call them like that, nothing can change my mind now.

• Many people substitute regular potatoes for sweet potatoes, considering our yams to be the healthier choice of them two. However, the two species contain similar amounts of water, carbs, fat, and protein. Also, both types of potatoes are rich in vitamins B6 and C. Although, white potatoes are higher in potassium, whereas sweet potatoes contain more vitamin A.

• Sweet potatoes are usually orange but also found in other colors, such as white, red, pink, violet, yellow, and purple. However, the most known color of them is still orange, considering these are the most marketed ones.

• The nutrition facts for 100 grams of raw yams are:
  • Calories: 86
  • Water: 77%
  • Protein: 1.6 grams
  • Carbs: 20.1 grams
  • Sugar: 4.2 grams
  • Fiber: 3 grams
  • Fat: 0.1 grams

• The most abundant vitamins and minerals in our yams are:
  • Pro-vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Manganese
  • Vitamin B6
  • Potassium
  • Vitamin B5
  • Vitamin E

Have A Nice Meal!

All in all, tell me another recipe that is easier to make and sweeter than this one! I dare you! Also, please share your results and thoughts on these candied yams in the comments section. Not to mention that I’d love to hear what your family thought about it. Are your kids yams lovers or not?

However, for some of my friends, this recipe was a game-changer: they just started to eat those orange sweet potatoes they used to hate. Isn’t this incredible! Who knew that some marshmallows can really do the trick!

Can you substitute canned yams for sweet potato?

Are canned yams and sweet potatoes the same?

What's the difference between yams and sweet potato casserole?

Are canned sweet potatoes already cooked?