Does the debate continue? Yams vs Sweet Potatoes? Not around here, not anymore… it is sweet potatoes all the way. So I have updated my mom’s old recipe Yummy Yams to Yummy Yams or Sweet Potatoes! Whatever you call it, it is a perfect holiday recipe.
This recipe post has been updated. There are new photos and more information has been added.
Many years ago my mom always made the old typical Thanksgiving dish. You know, the really sweet candied yams covered in marshmallows. A holiday recipe that was a standard in a lot of homes. I didn’t really like it.
Jump to:
One year, thankfully, she brought home a recipe she called Yummy Yams. I have been making it every Thanksgiving for years! Using sweet potatoes of course.
The whole yam vs sweet potato has been kind of confusing to me. Different grocery stores seem to have a different idea of what is what. Then I read this information at Bon Appetit and it explained it a bit for me. What’s the Difference Between a Sweet Potato and a Yam?
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Ingredients needed
- Yams or sweet potatoes
- Butter
- Orange juice
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla
- Flour
Step by step photos
Wash, peel, and cube around 2 – 2 ½ pounds of yams or sweet potatoes. Cover with water and boil gently until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Drain the potatoes well and return to the pan. Add the butter and mash up the potatoes.
You can use either a hand masher as shown or for a creamier texture, use a hand electric mixer. Do not mix too long though.
Now it is time to add the orange juice, some brown sugar, the salt, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix well.
Place the mashed potatoes in a casserole dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and butter. You can add a little more spice if you like. Use a fork and mix well.
Sprinkle the crumb topping over the mashed potato mixture. If you want a little bit richer topping, use a bit more butter than I do.
Now it is time to bake.
My kids say that this old family recipe for Yummy Yams or Sweeet Potatoes tastes like pumpkin pie. Maybe it seems more like dessert than a side dish, but this is Thanksgiving after all. Indulge a bit.
Want to kick it up?
Mom’s recipe called for bourbon, something I never have on hand. And when the kids were younger I doubt they would have liked it anyway. If you want to kick it up, add some bourbon to taste. I would start with 1 tablespoon and give it a taste. Adjust to your personal preference.
How to prepare this recipe
- Peel and cube up the yams or sweet potatoes into cubes, place in a large saucepan, and cover with water. (The smaller the cubes, the faster they will cook)
- Boil the yams or sweet potatoes until fork tender. Drain off all the water and put the potatoes back into the same pan.
- Add the butter and mash the potatoes. You can use a potato masher or an electric mixer.
- Add the orange juice, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla. Whip them up.
- Scoop the whipped yams/sweet potatoes in a casserole dish that has been coated with non-stick spray.
- Mix the flour, brown sugar, and butter to make the crumb topping. (Add additional spice here if you like)
- Sprinkle the crumb topping over the whipped potatoes and bake in a 375-degree oven for about 35-40 minutes. The top will be a nice golden brown.
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Recipe
Yummy Yams or Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
For the potatoes
- 2 ½ pounds Sweet Potatoes or yams
- 2 tbsp Butter
- ⅓ cup Orange Juice
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Cloves
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla
For the crumb toppins
- ¼ cup Flour
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp Butter
- Dash Cinnamon optional
- Dash Nutmeg optional
Instructions
- Peel and cube up the yams or sweet potatoes into cubes, place in a large saucepan, and cover with water. (The smaller the cubes, the faster they will cook)
- Boil the yams or sweet potatoes until fork tender. Drain off all the water and put the potatoes back into the same pan.
- Add the butter and mash the yams or sweet potatoes. You can use a potato masher or an electric mixer.
- Add the orange juice, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla. Whip them up.
- Scoop the whipped yams/sweet potatoes in a casserole dish that has been coated with non-stick spray.
- Mix the flour, brown sugar, and butter to make the crumb topping. (Add additional spice here if you like)
- Sprinkle the crumb topping over the whipped yams and bake in a 375-degree oven for about 35-40 minutes. The top will be a nice golden brown.
Nutrition
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