Best-ever Mashed Yams 6 yams (light skinned with orange flesh) 1 stick butter 1 cup half & half 1. Peel and cut yams into 2 inch chunks. 2. Add butter, cream and yams into large pot. 3. Set over med-low heat and simmer until yams are soft enough to mash against side of pot with spoon--takes about 30-50 minutes. (Try to keep liquid at a slight simmer otherwise cream will curdle.) 4. Once yams are soft, mash them in the pot with a spoon.