When the weather cools down and the kitchen starts smelling like cinnamon and brown sugar, I know it’s time to make this candied yams with apples recipe. It’s one of those dishes that instantly wraps you in comfort, like your favorite blanket in food form. Between the buttery, caramelized yams and the tender, juicy apples, every bite tastes like a celebration of fall flavors.
This recipe isn’t just for the holidays, though it absolutely deserves a place on your Thanksgiving table. It works just as beautifully on a chilly weeknight when you want something cozy and satisfying on the side. The sweetness of the glaze, the warmth of the spices, and that little zing from the apples make this dish something really special, and dangerously addictive, if I’m being honest. You’ll find yourself going back for “just one more bite” more than once.
Table of contents
All the Reasons This Dish Just Works
Here’s why this candied yams with apples recipe works so beautifully and how you can tweak it to fit your lifestyle or cravings:
- Perfect balance of flavors: The sweetness of brown sugar and cinnamon blends with tart apples and earthy yams for a dreamy combo.
- No marshmallows necessary: The natural sweetness from apples and the caramel-like glaze make it rich without being cloying.
- Versatile for dietary needs:
- Use vegan butter to make it completely plant-based.
- Swap in coconut sugar for a lower-glycemic alternative.
- Choose gluten-free vanilla extract for a GF version (most are, but it’s good to double-check).
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble and refrigerate before baking for easy prep during the holidays or big meals.
- Crowd-pleaser: Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or adventurous palates, this dish wins hearts every time.
Recipe Card
Candied Yams with Apples
8
servings20
minutes55
minutes290
kcalA cozy, sweet-savory side dish with buttery yams, tart apples, and a cinnamon-maple glaze that’s perfect for holidays or comfort food nights.
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Ingredients
3 large yams, peeled and sliced
2 large apples, peeled and sliced
½ cup unsalted butter
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Juice of ½ an orange (optional)
Directions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a bit of butter or nonstick spray.
- Layer the yams and apples: Arrange yam and apple slices in alternating layers across the baking dish. I like to go a little overboard and make it pretty, but a rustic scatter works just as well.
- Make the sweet glaze (5 minutes): In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and orange juice (if using). Once everything is melted and bubbling slightly, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour and cover (5 minutes): Pour the glaze evenly over your yam-apple layers. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake it low and slow (40 minutes covered + 15 uncovered): Bake covered for 40 minutes. Then remove the foil, baste the top with the syrup, and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Rest and serve: Let it rest for at least 10 minutes so the syrup thickens slightly. This is when it gets extra sticky and glossy.
Notes
- Use tart apples for balance.
- Add nuts or marshmallows for texture variation.
- For extra depth, try adding a splash of orange juice or zest, it brightens the sweetness and makes the flavors pop!
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Pro Tips for Buttery, Glazed Perfection
Here’s how to get your candied yams with apples just right:
- Cut evenly: Uniform slices of yams and apples ensure everything cooks at the same rate and gets beautifully tender.
- Choose tart apples: Sweet yams need a little zing to balance out the flavor, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are my go-to picks.
- Don’t skip the resting time: Letting it sit after baking thickens the glaze into that syrupy magic.
- Make it nutty: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts during the last 10 minutes of baking for a little crunch.
Variants of the Recipe
- Vegan Candied Yams with Apples: Just use a quality plant-based butter and make sure your sugar and vanilla are vegan-certified. The result is every bit as indulgent, minus the dairy.
- Healthy Candied Yams Version: Looking for a lighter option? Try my candied yams healthy recipe, it’s naturally sweetened, just as cozy, and a great alternative for anyone watching sugar or calories.
- Spiked Holiday Version: Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon or spiced rum to the glaze for a boozy twist. Perfect for festive dinners.
- With Marshmallows: If you’re team marshmallow, add a layer during the final 10 minutes of baking. Broil lightly for a gooey finish.
- Nutty Crunch Edition: Top with chopped candied pecans or crushed gingersnaps for a whole new texture and holiday vibe.
Serving Suggestions
This dish shines as a side for holiday dinners with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even a simple baked chicken. I also love serving it alongside cornbread and sautéed greens for a Southern-inspired spread. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few fresh thyme leaves for a bit of earthy balance and a pop of color.
FAQs About Candied Yams with Apples Recipe
Yes, but reduce the initial bake time by 15 minutes and skip the foil step since they’re already soft.
Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, something firm and slightly tart.
Absolutely. Assemble the dish and refrigerate it uncooked. Then bake just before serving.
Slice them evenly and don’t overbake. They should be tender, not falling apart.
It can be! As said earlier, just sub in vegan butter and make sure your sugar and vanilla are vegan-certified.
You can, though the texture may soften slightly. Reheat from frozen in the oven for best results.
A Sweet Finish to a Cozy Favorite
If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’re already preheating your oven! This Candied Yams with Apples recipe is part of a series I’m building around this classic candied yams recipe, a cornerstone in my kitchen and one that means a lot to me. It’s all about honoring the comforting, nostalgic flavors we grew up with while adding a few fresh twists.
Craving more sweet-and-savory comfort? Check out my fried apples recipe, it’s just the thing to serve alongside pork chops or pancakes. And if you’re in the mood for something unexpected, the miso salmon recipe brings a savory-sweet balance that pairs beautifully with this dish.
We’d love to see how your version turns out, so don’t forget to leave a comment below or tag us on social media. Nothing makes my day like seeing your kitchen creations!
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