Description
Alton Brown’s candied yams elevate classic sweet potato comfort into a delectable Southern side dish. Caramelized brown sugar and warm spices create a luxurious glaze that makes this recipe irresistible for gatherings where you crave rich, memorable flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (29 oz / 822 g) sweet potatoes, drained
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter, cut into pieces
- 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Preparation: Position the oven rack centrally and preheat to 400°F (204°C), creating an ideal environment for transforming sweet potatoes into a luscious, caramelized delicacy.
- Layering Foundation: Spread drained sweet potatoes evenly in a ceramic or glass baking dish, establishing a uniform base for the upcoming flavor transformation.
- Flavor Infusion: Strategically distribute cold butter pieces across the potato surface, followed by a generous, even dusting of granulated brown sugar, ensuring maximum caramelization potential.
- Marshmallow Crowning: Meticulously arrange miniature marshmallows in an overlapping, decorative pattern, completely concealing the sugar and butter underneath to create a delightful golden-brown topping.
- Baking Transformation: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 22-26 minutes, carefully monitoring the marshmallows as they turn golden, puffy, and irresistibly caramelized without burning.
- Resting and Serving: Carefully extract the dish using heat-resistant mitts and allow the candied yams to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the sugars to set and the luxurious layers to stabilize before presenting this indulgent side dish.
Notes
- Butter Precision: Cut cold butter into small, uniform pieces to ensure even melting and consistent flavor distribution across sweet potatoes.
- Sugar Caramelization: Sprinkle brown sugar evenly to create a perfect caramelized layer that enhances the natural sweetness of the yams.
- Marshmallow Monitoring: Watch marshmallows closely during baking to achieve golden-brown perfection without burning, creating a delightful toasted exterior.
- Resting Time Matters: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking, letting sugars set and marshmallows stabilize for the best texture and flavor experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg