Let’s be real for a second. Yams don’t get enough respect. They quietly show up at holiday dinners, get drowned in marshmallows, and then disappear for another year. Tragic, IMO. Because when you cook yams the old-fashioned way—think butter, brown sugar, spices, and patience—they turn into something downright magical.

If you love sweet, buttery comfort food that feels nostalgic without being boring, you’re in the right place. These 7 old-fashioned yams recipes hit all the cozy notes: caramelized edges, melt-in-your-mouth centers, and flavors that taste like someone’s grandma is watching over your stove (in a good way).

Whether you’re planning a holiday spread, a Sunday dinner, or just craving a little edible therapy, these recipes deliver. They’re approachable, forgiving, and built for real humans who don’t want to babysit the oven all day. Ready to make yams exciting again? Let’s talk butter.

1. Classic Southern Candied Yams (The Gold Standard)

Why It’s Awesome

This is the recipe. Sweet, buttery, and unapologetically indulgent, these candied yams taste like every good holiday memory rolled into one dish.

Ingredients

• 4 large yams, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
• 1 cup brown sugar
  
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
  
• 1 tsp cinnamon
  
• ½ tsp nutmeg
  
• ¼ tsp cloves
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• ¼ cup water
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Layer the sliced yams evenly in a buttered baking dish.
3. Sprinkle brown sugar, granulated sugar, and spices over the top.
4. Dot generously with butter (don’t be shy).
5. Pour water around the edges to create syrup.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
7. Uncover and bake another 30 minutes, basting halfway through.

Why You’ll Love It

The syrup thickens, the yams soften, and suddenly your kitchen smells like pure comfort. I’ve tried cutting back on butter once. Once. Never again.

2. Old-Fashioned Stove-Top Buttered Yams

Why It’s Awesome

No oven? No problem. These yams cook right on the stove and still deliver that sweet, buttery payoff.

Ingredients

• 3 large yams, peeled and cubed
• ¼ cup butter
  
• ¼ cup brown sugar
  
• ½ tsp cinnamon
  
• Pinch of salt
  
• ¼ cup water
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add yams and water to a large skillet.
2. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 15 minutes.
3. Drain excess water carefully.
4. Add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Stir gently and cook uncovered until glazed, about 10 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

These yams turn glossy and rich without a single baking dish. FYI, they’re dangerously easy to eat straight from the pan.

3. Baked Yams with Brown Sugar Butter Crust

Why It’s Awesome

This recipe builds a caramelized crust on top that cracks slightly when you dig in. Texture lovers, this one’s for you.

Ingredients

• 4 whole yams, scrubbed
• ½ cup butter, melted
• ¾ cup brown sugar
  
• 1 tsp cinnamon
  
• ½ tsp vanilla
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Pierce yams with a fork and bake directly on the rack for 50–60 minutes.
3. Slice open carefully and place in a baking dish.
4. Mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.
5. Spoon mixture generously over each yam.
6. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes until bubbly.

Why You’ll Love It

The inside stays fluffy while the top turns sticky and golden. I once served these as dessert and no one complained.

4. Old-School Mashed Buttered Yams

Why It’s Awesome

Think mashed potatoes, but sweeter, richer, and honestly more exciting.

Ingredients

• 3 large yams, peeled and chopped
• ½ cup butter
  
• ¼ cup heavy cream
  
• ¼ cup brown sugar
  
• ½ tsp cinnamon
  
• Salt to taste
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Boil yams in salted water until fork-tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Drain well and return to pot.
3. Add butter, cream, sugar, and cinnamon.
4. Mash until smooth or slightly chunky—your call.
5. Taste and adjust salt.

Why You’ll Love It

These yams feel nostalgic and luxurious at the same time. Serve them with roast chicken or eat them alone. I won’t judge.

5. Old-Fashioned Yams with Pineapple & Butter Syrup

Why It’s Awesome

Sweet meets tangy in a way that somehow works beautifully. Retro? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely.

Ingredients

• 4 yams, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (with juice)
• ½ cup butter
  
• ½ cup brown sugar
  
• ½ tsp cinnamon
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Arrange yams in a baking dish.
3. Scatter pineapple over the top.
4. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly.
5. Dot with butter.
6. Cover and bake 45 minutes, then uncover for 15 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The pineapple juice turns into a tropical caramel sauce. Some folks skip pineapple—personally, I think that’s a mistake.

6. Skillet-Fried Buttered Yams (Crispy Edges!)

Why It’s Awesome

These yams get crispy on the outside and soft inside. Think comfort food with a little attitude.

Ingredients

• 3 yams, peeled and sliced into rounds
• ¼ cup butter
  
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
  
• ½ tsp cinnamon
  
• Pinch of salt
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add yam slices in a single layer.
3. Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes until golden.
4. Flip, sprinkle sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Cook another 5–7 minutes until caramelized.

Why You’ll Love It

Crispy edges + buttery centers = instant obsession. These disappear fast, so maybe double the batch?

7. Old-Fashioned Baked Yams with Maple Butter Glaze

Why It’s Awesome

Maple syrup feels like the fancy cousin of brown sugar. This recipe keeps things cozy but slightly elevated.

Ingredients

• 4 yams, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup butter
  
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
  
• ½ tsp cinnamon
  
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place yams in a greased baking dish.
3. Melt butter and whisk with maple syrup and spices.
4. Pour glaze over yams and toss gently.
5. Cover and bake 40 minutes.
6. Uncover and bake 15 minutes more until sticky.

Why You’ll Love It

The maple flavor feels warm and rich without being cloying. Perfect for holidays or random Tuesdays when you need comfort food energy.

Final Thoughts

These old-fashioned yams recipes with sweet, buttery flavor prove one thing: simple ingredients still win. Butter, sugar, spices, and time do the heavy lifting. No fancy tricks, no weird substitutes, just honest comfort food that shows up and delivers.

The best part? These recipes flex easily. Serve them at holidays, weeknight dinners, or potlucks where you secretly want to outshine everyone else. They taste nostalgic, feel cozy, and somehow always disappear first from the table.

So go ahead—grab those yams, melt some butter, and cook like tradition still matters. Because sometimes, the old ways really are the best ways.

Related Recipes

• 8 Thanksgiving Appetizers That Disappear Before Dinner Starts
• 10 Cozy Bean Recipes Perfect for Holiday Side Dishes
• 7 Sweet Holiday Yams Recipes That Taste Like Nostalgia