Southern Candied Yams with Crunchy Ritz Cracker Topping

These Southern Candied Yams are topped with a crispy, crunchy candied ritz cracker topping. It’s the perfect recipe for those who don’t like marshmallow topped sweet potatoes. 

What is Southern Candied Yams with Crunchy Ritz Cracker Topping

Oh, honey, let me tell you about a dish that’ll hug your soul and sweeten your table with a golden, buttery whisper of the South - Southern Candied Yams with Crunchy Ritz Cracker Topping!

This ain't your average, everyday sweet potato casserole hiding under a blanket of marshmallows.

No, ma'am. We're talking about tender chunks of yams, bathed lovingly in a cinnamon-spiced, caramel-kissed syrup, so delightfully sweet it’ll make your heart sing a little gospel.

But the real high note?

That's the crowning glory of crushed Ritz crackers, tossed with a little sugar and butter until they’re just shy of sinful.

They bake up to a gilded crispness that's all crunch and sass, offering up a symphony of textures that’s downright irresistible.

This dish is a nod to tradition with a wink to modern whimsy, perfect for folks who like to march to the beat of a different drumstick on their holiday table.

So, scoop yourself a helping of these yams and let that Ritz-y topping crunch under your fork – it’s Southern comfort with a crunch!

Ingredients and Substitutions

For the Yams 

• Yams in syrup - I'm using canned yams in syrup but this recipe also works well for sweet potatoes. You can either use fresh or canned.
• Evaporated Milk - I really don't see why you can't use regular milk but this is how my Grandma did it so this is how I'm doing it!
• Eggs - No real sub for eggs.
• Sugar in the raw - You could use brown sugar, white sugar, agave or even honey if you didn't have sugar in the raw.
• Salty Butter - If you're using unsalted butter, simply add a hefty pinch of kosher salt to even it out.
• Cinnamon - Feel free to swap cinnamon for pumpkin pie seasoning if you want.
• Vanilla Extract - No real sub for vanilla extra - you can leave it out if you don't have any.

For the Topping 

• Ritz Crackers - Ritz buttery crispy cracker is ideal for this recipe. If you're using another brand that's fine but I recommend these the most!
• Salty Butter - If you're using unsalted butter, simply add a hefty pinch of kosher salt to even it out.
• Brown Sugar - Brown sugar gives the best crust but you could use white sugar or sugar in the raw if you had to.

How to make it

Making these Southern Candied Yams with Ritz Crackers is super easy - even my kids help me do it!

To start, pour the liquid out of the yams or sweet potatoes and them add them to a bowl.

Use a potato masher to mash them well.

Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth and place in an oven safe baking dish.

Add the ritz crackers, brown sugar and butter to a separate bowl and mix until combined.

Now pour the ritz cracker mixture on top of the sweet potatoes and bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and delicious.

What goes with Southern Candied Yams with Crunchy Ritz Cracker Topping

These Southern Candied Yams are perfect for a southern-inspired Thanksgiving spread!

Some of my favorite thanksgiving dishes include:

• Green Bean Casserole with Cheese
• Hot Honey Carrots with Goat Cheese
• Jiffy Spoon Bread with Cheese and Jalapenos
• Jiffy Cornbread Dressing
• Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Or check out my Thanksgiving collection!

Frequently asked question

What is the history of Southern candied yams?

Sugar-kissed and spice-sprinkled, Southern candied yams are a soul-warming hug from history, steeped in African roots and sweetened through generations, evolving into a sticky, caramelized must-have on every Southern family's holiday table.

Do candied yams freeze well?

Candied Yams freeze like a dream, ready to bring that sugary, soul-hugging warmth to your belly on demand!

Are sweet potatoes and candied yams the same thing?

Oh honey, while both sweet potatoes and candied yams get all gussied up in brown sugar and spices, they're as different as cheddar and gouda — one's a versatile root veggie, and the other's a sweet holiday classic with a tropical twist!

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