Southern Yam Dessert Squares

Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of the South with these Southern Yam Dessert Squares—an irresistible combination of sweet yams, warm spices, and a pecan crumble topping that’s pure magic in every bite. Perfectly balanced with creamy sweetened condensed milk and a hint of vanilla, the smooth yam filling rests on a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crust baked to golden-brown perfection. Topped with a crunchy blend of brown sugar and chopped pecans, these dessert squares are a delightful medley of textures and flavors. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a beautiful blend of cinnamon and nutmeg adding that quintessential cozy warmth, these squares are easy to make and ideal for holiday gatherings or any occasion that calls for a touch of Southern charm. Serve them as is or with a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent finish that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh yams (peeled and cubed)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 0.5 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup pecans (chopped)
• 0.5 cup brown sugar

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Step 2

In a large pot, boil the cubed yams until fork-tender, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and let them cool slightly.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, use a potato masher or fork to mash the yams until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of the all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of the melted butter, and 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar. Stir until combined to form a crumbly dough.

Step 5

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool.

Step 6

In the cooled yam mixture, add the remaining granulated sugar, remaining melted butter, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 7

Pour the yam filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading evenly.

Step 8

In a smaller bowl, prepare the pecan crumble topping by combining the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and the last remaining 1 cup of flour. Mix well.

Step 9

Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the yam filling.

Step 10

Bake the dessert for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.

Step 11

Allow the dessert squares to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 12 servings.

Step 12

Serve as is or with a dollop of whipped cream for the perfect finish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1623.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5334.1

Total Fat 283.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 140.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 1126.3mg	0%
Sodium 1659.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 649.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.3g	0%
Total Sugars 360.0g
Protein 70.8g	0%

Vitamin D 135.2IU	0%
Calcium 805.7mg	0%
Iron 18.7mg	0%
Potassium 4406.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.9%

Protein: 5.2%

Carbs: 47.9%