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A close-up of a white bowl filled with tender, glazed candied yams being served from a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.

Effortless Slow Cooker Candied Yams

Indulge in the sweet, caramelized perfection of tender candied yams, effortlessly made in your slow cooker. This recipe delivers fork-tender sweet potatoes bathed in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze, ideal for any holiday feast or comforting side dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Holiday, Side Dish, Vegetable
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Yams
  • 3 lbs sweet potatoes (often labeled 'yams'), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
For the Candied Sauce
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or dark corn syrup for a thicker, classic glaze
  • 1/4 cup orange juice freshly squeezed or good quality store-bought, optional for brightness
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Garnish
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans lightly toasted if desired

Equipment

  • 6-quart Slow Cooker
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Vegetable Peeler
  • Sharp Knife
  • Whisk

Method
 

Prepare the Yams
  1. Peel the sweet potatoes (yams) and slice them into uniform 1/2-inch thick rounds. This ensures even cooking and tenderness. Set aside.
Make the Candied Sauce
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, light brown sugar, pure maple syrup, orange juice (if using), ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the sugar begins to dissolve into the liquid. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Assemble and Cook
  1. Lightly grease the inside of your 6-quart slow cooker to prevent sticking.
  2. Arrange about half of the sliced sweet potatoes evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Pour about half of the prepared candied sauce over the first layer of sweet potatoes, ensuring good coverage.
  4. Add the remaining sweet potatoes on top, spreading them out as evenly as possible.
  5. Pour the rest of the candied sauce over the top layer of sweet potatoes, making sure every piece is coated.
  6. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on HIGH for 3.5 to 4 hours, or on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, until the yams are completely fork-tender and the sauce is thick, bubbly, and caramelized. If possible, gently stir the yams halfway through the cooking time to ensure even coating and caramelization, being careful not to break them.
Optional Finishing Touch
  1. If desired, during the last 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the mini marshmallows and/or chopped pecans over the top of the yams. Re-cover the slow cooker and continue cooking until the marshmallows are puffed and lightly golden, or the pecans are warmed through and fragrant.
  2. Serve warm and enjoy your decadent slow cooker candied yams!

Notes

For the best texture and even cooking, try to choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size and slice them uniformly. The orange juice adds a lovely subtle brightness that helps balance the sweetness, but you can omit it if you prefer a richer, simpler flavor profile. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated gently in the microwave or oven.