Candied yams are a classic American dish, especially popular during Christmas and other holiday meals. Despite the name, "yams" in this context often refer to sweet potatoes, as true yams are not as commonly found in the United States. Candied yams involve sweet potatoes that are cooked until tender and then coated in a sweet, syrupy mixture typically made with brown sugar, butter, and sometimes additional ingredients like cinnamon or marshmallows. Here's a basic recipe for making candied yams:

Ingredients:

• 4 to 6 medium-sized sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Marshmallows (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:

• Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thick rounds or chunks.

Cook the Sweet Potatoes:

• Boil the sweet potato chunks in a pot of water until they are just tender but not fully cooked. This usually takes about 10 minutes. Drain the sweet potatoes.

Prepare the Candied Syrup:

• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg (if using), and salt. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined.

Add Vanilla Extract:

• Stir in the vanilla extract, combining it with the syrup mixture.

Coat the Sweet Potatoes:

• Place the partially cooked sweet potatoes in a baking dish. Pour the candied syrup over the sweet potatoes, making sure they are evenly coated.

Bake in the Oven:

• Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fully cooked and the syrup has thickened.

Optional Marshmallow Topping:

• If desired, you can add a layer of marshmallows on top of the candied yams during the last 10 minutes of baking. This will give them a gooey and toasted marshmallow topping.

Serve:

• Serve the candied yams hot as a side dish.