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    Home » Side Dishes

    Yummy Yams or Sweet Potatoes

    Published: Sep 14, 2020 · Modified: Jan 20, 2022 by Cook This Again Mom

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    Yummy Yams or Sweet Potatoes pinterest image
    Yummy Yams or Sweet Potatoes pinterest recipe

    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.

    mashed sweet potatoes in a clear casserole dish

    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:
    • Other recipes you might like
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make yummy yams
    • Want to kick it up?
    • How to prepare this recipe
    • More holiday favorites
    • Recipe

    Thankfully, one year, 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 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?

    Other recipes you might like

    • Cranberry Bliss Bars
    • Pumpkin Cake with Orange Glaze
    • Simple Broccoli Casserole
    • Butternut Squash Pie

    Ingredients needed

    cut up sweet potatoes, orange juice, butter, flour, brown sugar, and spices measured for recipe
    • Yams or sweet potatoes
    • Butter
    • Orange juice
    • Brown sugar
    • Salt
    • Cinnamon
    • Cloves
    • Nutmeg
    • Vanilla
    • Flour

    You can find the ingredient amounts and complete directions below in the printable recipe card.

    How to make yummy yams

    cut up sweet potatoes in a pan with some butter and a masher

    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.

    mashed sweet potatoes in a pan with orange juice, brown sugar, and spices

    Now it is time to add the orange juice, some brown sugar, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix well.

    a small bowl with flour, brown sugar, and butter next to mashed sweet potatoes

    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.

    a crumb topping over mashed sweet potatoes ready to bake

    Sprinkle the crumb topping over the mashed potato mixture. If you want a little richer topping, use a bit more butter than I do.

    Now it is time to bake.

    just baked mashed sweet potato casserole

    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 one 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.

    More holiday favorites

    • Cinnamon Apple Pie
    • Kiss Crinkle Cookies
    • Holiday Date Roll
    • Gingerbread Sticky Rolls

    Find all my recipes on Pinterest at Cook This Again. Or, on Facebook at Cook This Again.

    Thank you for stopping by and checking out my family's favorite recipes.

    If you tried this recipe and liked it, please use the stars on the recipe card to rate it. If you have a question about this recipe, please leave a comment, and I will respond as soon as possible.

    Recipe

    mashed sweet potatoes in a clear casserole dish

    Yummy Yams or Sweet Potatoes

    Whether you use yams or sweet potatoes, this recipe for Yummy Yams is a perfect holiday meal side dish.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 10 Servings
    Calories: 186kcal
    Author: Cook This Again, Mom!

    Ingredients

    For the potatoes

    • 2 ½ pounds Sweet Potatoes or yams
    • 2 tablespoon 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 tablespoon 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.
    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 16211IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Hi! My name is Keri.

    I am the mom behind Cook This Again, Mom! and I love to cook! Well, most of the time I do.

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