Every holiday season, I remember one particular dish: a yam and cranberry crumble. My Great Aunt Mary (my grandma's sister) introduced me to this recipe while I was in college, and I had to learn more about it.

Roots & Routes hide

1 Food is More Than Food

2 Healthy Eating for the Holidays

3 Vegan During the Holidays

4 Ingredients You Need

5 Recipe

6 Mary’s Holiday Yam and Cranberry Crumble

6.1 Ingredients

6.2 Instructions

The origin of this recipe is unknown, but my Aunt Mary got it from her daughter's friend from college, who visited from Hawaii for Thanksgiving in the 2010s and brought this dish to share. The original recipe and my version differ; I added my own touch and reduced the amount of sugar.

The Yam and Cranberry Crumble is festive, colorful, and full of flavor. Yams bring natural sweetness and a creamy texture when roasted, while cranberries add a bright tartness that balances everything. With a touch of warming spices and love, you’ll get it just right.

My family only makes this twice a year, and each time is filled with lovely memories. I hope this dessert helps you create your own special moments with family and friends.

The original yam and fruit casserole recipe. — The original recipe that I've since modified *(see below!)*

Food is More Than Food

Food is more than just fuel, micronutrients, and calories. It connects us to traditions and to memories that shape our everyday lives and our holidays. Every bite can remind us of family gatherings, shared laughter, and the flavors that define moments in our lives, sometimes good or bad.

This cranberry yam crumble is a classic holiday dish offering all the comfort and nostalgia of the season. It’s a dish that nourishes both the body and the heart.

Healthy Eating for the Holidays

Healthy eating over the holidays doesn’t mean skipping the foods you love. It’s completely possible to enjoy your favorite foods while also reaching your health goals. These are some of my favorite healthy holiday tips;

Scan the table first and decide which dishes you truly want on your plate.
Use your plate method as a guide making half your plate with vegetables and fruits, a quarter with protein, and a quarter with whole grains or starches.
During the holidays, it’s important to pay attention to your hunger cues. Eat slowly and stop when you feel satisfied. You can pack up leftovers and have them later!

With these tips, you can enjoy the holidays without feeling restricted. Next, let’s look at how just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean your holidays have to be bland, and you can still eat with your family without missing out on meals and enjoy a tasty meal.

Vegan During the Holidays

Navigating the holidays as a vegan can feel tricky, especially if you’re new to plant-based eating.

Start by scanning the table and spotting dishes that are naturally vegan, like roasted vegetables, fruit salads, nuts, or a cranberry sauce like this one. Be mindful of sauces on the veggies like butter or a milk-based sauce.

For gathers, bring a vegan dish to share. Focus on filling your plate with foods you enjoy, using the plate method to balance veggies, protein, and grains. Alternatively, you could host and make endless options.

Keep snacks handy for long gatherings and listen to your hunger cues. Eat slowly and stop when satisfied.

With a little planning, you can enjoy the holiday flavors and traditions without missing out.

Ingredients You Need

Canned Yams: Yams are naturally sweet and packed with fiber, which supports healthy digestion during the holiday season. They are also a rich source of vitamin A, important for eye health and immune function. Using canned yams saves time while still providing the same nutrients as fresh yams.

Whole Cranberry Sauce: Cranberries are high in antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage. Choosing organic cranberry sauce is highly recommended to avoid high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

All-Purpose Flour: Flour provides structure for the crumble topping, helping it hold together while baking. While it doesn’t add much in the way of nutrients, it works as a base.

Rolled Oats: Rolled oats add fiber, which can help keep you feeling full and satisfied. They also contribute a hearty texture to the crumble topping. Oats have minerals like magnesium and iron, which support energy and overall health.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds natural sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor to the topping. Using it in moderation provides just enough sweetness to complement the tart cranberries without overwhelming the dish.

Recipe

Print Recipe

Mary’s Holiday Yam and Cranberry Crumble

Servings: 8

Ingredients

2 (15 ounce) cans cut yams drained and rinsed
1 (14 ounce) can whole cranberry sauce organic will have no high fructose corn syrup
½ cup flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup rolled oats I like the Bob's Red Mill higher protein
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup vegan butter melted
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pour the cranberry sauce into an 8x8-inch baking dish. It may hold the gel shape from the can; that’s okay. Cut it into smaller pieces with a fork or knife.
Add the drained yams on top of the cranberries. Gently mix together, being careful not to mash the yams too much, you want them to still have shape.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and flaxseed. Add the plant-based butter and mix until the topping is evenly combined.
Spoon or sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the cranberry layer.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the cranberries are bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm!
If you like this recipe share it with a friend!

Enjoy the recipe!