Step 1

Wash the sweet potatoes. (I like to use this vegetable scrubber HERE.)

Step 2

Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into thick round wedges.

Step 3

Then set them aside to soak in a bowl of cool water to prevent browning while you’re preparing the candied yams syrup.

Step 4

Melt the butter in a medium-sized bowl in the microwave.

Step 5

Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, ginger, ground clove, and vanilla extract to the melted butter.

Step 6

Mix the ingredients well to create the syrup glaze for the candied yams.

Step 7

Next, Drain the sweet potato rounds in a colander.

Step 8

Open the Instant Pot lid and add ½ a cup of water and the sweet potato rounds to the stainless-steel inner pot.

Step 9

Pour the syrup glaze over the sweet potatoes.

Step 10

Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.

Step 11

When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 5 minutes.

Step 12

To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.

Step 13

Optional – Open the Instant Pot lid and sprinkle the miniature marshmallows over the cooked, candied yams.

Step 14

With the lid placed not entirely on the Instant Pot (in a resting position, so it doesn’t lock back into position on the pot) continue with the setting on ‘keep warm.’

Step 15

After about 5 minutes, check to see if the marshmallows have melted.

Step 16

Once the marshmallows are melted, turn off the Instant Pot and transfer your Black folks’ Southern candied yams recipe to a serving dish.

Step 17

Serve right away and enjoy!